How to Handle Unimmunized Visitors After a Baby Is Born
When your bundle of joy arrives, friends and family will want to come visit your newest addition. However, a slew of visitors in and out of your home can increase the germs that your baby is exposed to. When unimmunized visitors stop by, your baby is at risk of being exposed to diseases these guests might be carrying. Protect your baby from unwanted germs that your unimmunized guests might unintentionally bring into your home.
Things You'll Need
- Hand soap
- Hand sanitizer
Instructions
Request that visitors stop by only when they are healthy. You don't want a sick visitor bringing unnecessary germs into your home, so check with your guests that they haven't been sick or been around anyone sick. Confirm with your visitors that they are free of any symptoms and feeling better before visiting your baby. Ask visitors to wash their hands before touching the baby. Set up an easy handwashing station in your kitchen or bathroom, or leave a bottle of hand sanitizer within reach so that guests can use it before cuddling with your baby. Immunize your immediate family. When parents and siblings are immunized, you create herd immunity in your entire household, which can protect your baby, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org. Your baby will receive some protection from diseases, which an unimmunized person could bring into the home, simply by vaccinating your family members. Request that frequent visitors, such as extended family members, get vaccinated for the flu, whooping cough and other preventable diseases. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson of Seattle Children's Hospital recommends cocooning your baby -- that is, having all family members and caregivers vaccinated to create a cocoon of protection for your little one. By extending this immunization request to those family members or friends who will see your baby often, you build further protection against diseases possibly carried by an unvaccinated visitor. Keep visits to inside the home. Taking your baby to a friend's house or a public place only increases exposure to germs and the risk of getting sick. Have your visitors come to your home, where you can work to keep germs to a minimum. Delay visits from unvaccinated guests. Infants are at the highest risk of some diseases, such as whooping cough, when they are 6 months or younger. Even more, those infants 2 months or younger are at the highest risk. Wait a few months before allowing unvaccinated visitors to meet your baby to minimize the risk of exposure.
