Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

When is a newborn baby ‘robust enough’ to meet people?

69 replies

TravellingJack · 09/09/2021 17:35

Just wondering what other people are planning with their newborns! I’m due in a few weeks (so nicely timed for flu season starting up on top of everything else 🙄) and have had a few conversations with my DP about when the baby will get to meet people - family and friends.

Part of me thinks not for a good few weeks unless we get people to do a lateral flow test first… but otoh DS is at primary school so is going to be bringing fresh bugs home every day! He’s already on his second cold of term (we’re in Scotland so back since mid-Aug).

Other than hand-washing which we asked people to do when DS was brand new, what else is worth bothering with, considering DS is at school and after a couple of weeks, DP will be back at work with the public? Do we e.g. ask people to wear a mask if they want to hold the baby for the first week or three… or not bother with any extra measures? I’m not terribly anxious about this, just wanting to hear other thoughts.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

crumblebug · 09/09/2021 17:36

YABU

MrsRobbieHart · 09/09/2021 17:38

Mine both met people before they met me. Midwives. Then they met me and their dad. Then more midwives. All in the first few minutes of their lives.

orinocosfavoritecake · 09/09/2021 17:39

Assuming baby is born healthy and all that - from birth.

Notapheasantplucker · 09/09/2021 17:40

A 'good few weeks' is a bit..much isn't it? But it's whatever you're comfortable with.

Lsjdjfjdh · 09/09/2021 17:40

My family and close friends all met my baby within the first week (parents the next day). I wouldn't ask people to do a covid test or wear a mask.

Ozanj · 09/09/2021 17:40

As soon as they are out of your vagina / belly. You are making far too big a production of it.

AliceTheCamelHasFiveHumps · 09/09/2021 17:41

Mine was born in the morning if the 16th.

Met bmnan, grandad and granny in the evening.

And we were in another hospital the next day, as my dad had fallen and was admitted and died that morning. She was being held by the ward staff at 30hrs old.

So, yeah, fine!

Gardenwalldilema · 09/09/2021 17:41

Mine were an active part of the family from day one, so got carted around the supermarket, cafes, soft play centres, family gatherings etc

MrsRobbieHart · 09/09/2021 17:43

@Ozanj

As soon as they are out of your vagina / belly. You are making far too big a production of it.

This

Whatwillbetheendofus · 09/09/2021 17:45

It's whatever you're comfortable with. The hospital said to just follow guidelines as normal. My ds was born earlier in the summer before restrictions eased, and was probably not held by anyone ( besides health visitors etc) for the first 6 weeks. We have no family nearly though. If it was now, when people are visiting more I'd prob have waited until he was a month old or so.

Whatwillbetheendofus · 09/09/2021 17:47

@AliceTheCamelHasFiveHumps

Mine was born in the morning if the 16th.

Met bmnan, grandad and granny in the evening.

And we were in another hospital the next day, as my dad had fallen and was admitted and died that morning. She was being held by the ward staff at 30hrs old.

So, yeah, fine!

I misread that as binman, thought it was a bit strange!

Sorry about your Dad 💐

Lilyfalls · 09/09/2021 17:49

You’re not unreasonable to be worried. I would have just shrugged it off before, but one of my newborn twins ended up in hospital for a week when she got a cold which ended up as bronchitis. It was terrifying. She was 2 weeks old and about 5lbs at the time.

It was unavoidable as DD was at nursery, but honestly if I had the choice I would be keeping it low key at home with a few select people. They’re 7 weeks old now and we go for walks and things of course but there’s no way I’d be taking them to places like softplay after my experience.

Toolateplanting · 09/09/2021 17:50

I don’t get why previous posters are being so casual! I was v relaxed with my new ones just insisted on hand washing. But we are in post covid times now, it is all different! I would really hesitate to cuddle someone’s new born now and would def offer to take a LFT.
I’d suggest u have a few identified really close people who will be holding baby and if they do lft then no mask - newborns love faces! Other people no holding or mask if they need to.

BertieBotts · 09/09/2021 17:52

We have been a little bit more cautious this time, but our family is abroad so they haven't been able to visit and we haven't been out and about like "normal".

My baby is 3 weeks old and has only met one other family so far. But of course was in contact with midwives etc at hospital and has been to restaurants, shops etc and toddler sibling is going to nursery as normal.

I will probably avoid big gatherings with him where he may be passed around loads of people. I'm a bit antsy about people coming back off holiday and would prefer they wait ten days. But not insisting on masks or vaccine status or testing or anything. Hand washing as normal seems sensible.

Bennetgirl · 09/09/2021 18:01

I’m due in November and am keeping my baby in a bubble until it’s older. Grandparents only after two weeks and then we’ll see what the situation is. Lfts, hand washing and no kissing.

I’m guessing the negatives on here aren’t pregnant at the moment 🙄

Flu, rsv, norovirus etc are all going to be bad this year as we skipped it last year so immune systems are weak.

Couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. Until you’ve had an ill newborn you can’t judge.

Elisemum · 09/09/2021 18:01

Why do people think OP is making too big of a deal? It’s her baby and she has every right to be a little worried especially in covid times. I’m on the same boat OP (baby due in 3 weeks) and I’m wondering the same… I’m not overly concerned just like you but obviously it’s my baby and I think I’d be happy with grandparents coming over in the first few days… but for friends I’d like to wait 2 weeks I think… maybe no masks, but wouldn’t be happy for them to hold the baby.

Elisemum · 09/09/2021 18:03

Also just like you I have a toddler 2,5 years old who is in creche so I do worry he will be bringing germs home of course. When he was small he never once got sick until he was 1 and joined creche. With this new baby it could be a different story and it does worry me too but I hear it happens to everyone with older siblings

MyMabel · 09/09/2021 18:04

From birth is perfectly fine provided they are born without complications/illness.

Babies need exposure to become ‘robust’ as you say.

The only thing I genuinely would stay clear of or lay the rules down to it smokers. No smoking 30 minutes before seeing baby and changing out of smoky clothes before the visit. Second & Third hand smoke increases risk of aids and genuinely nothing smells worse than a newborn baby tainted by stale cigarette smoke.

MyMabel · 09/09/2021 18:04

SIDS

IT INCREASES THE RISK OF SIDS

NOT AIDS. Ffs autocorrect.

Ducksurprise · 09/09/2021 18:06

If you have a school age child no one is more risky and more germy than them so I wouldn't worry.

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 09/09/2021 18:06

Every baby is different. I’d take them out absolutely but avoid crowded places etc. This time of year and early this year is bronchiolitis season so avoid letting people kiss baby and be quite strict about hand washing and letting them meet anyone who is unwell. However I’d say the same to anyone and did the same myself. I think you just need to be sensible.

BeeDavis · 09/09/2021 18:25

I’m due a baby in 3 weeks and wouldn’t dream of keeping anyone away for weeks. I think you’re overthinking it.

letsmakethishappen · 09/09/2021 19:01

Am due in December no visitors for 6 weeks

DocAutumn · 09/09/2021 19:04

Straight away unless they are very ill.

Bollindger · 09/09/2021 19:08

Half the fun of being a new mum is the pleasure of watching your child with their family.
FIllL drove over night from Scotland to see his Grand daughter, and spent a week with her, my parents also were near by, the family had all visited by 1 week old, and we have a big family.
Your baby your choice.

Flip

1 2 3