I’m a paediatrician and this is why you should never kiss a new baby

Especially in spring. And yes, that includes you too grandma!

There are more babies born in September in Australia than any other time of the year. 

There are a few factors that drive this increase in birth rate (there’s an in-depth study here) but overall, it’s pretty simple - the summer holidays make us warm and relaxed - add some time off work and there’s a recipe for the peak time of conception!

So as we welcome the spring season, there are more babies to kiss than any other time of the year.

But SHOULD you be kissing them?

Common sense and good manners are the two paramount requirements when it comes to navigating the do’s and don’ts of visiting a family with a newborn. Let me explain. 

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Dr Golly warns visitors to not kiss new babies. Image: iStock

Managing visitors and illness

With regard to viral exposure, my approach is simple and straightforward: Don’t visit families with newborns if you’re symptomatic (this really applies to anyone, or attending work too).

I think the recent pandemic has made us much more aware of viral disease transmission and hopefully respectful not to attend social gatherings when symptomatic.

Newborns are vulnerable due to their young age and developing immune systems, birthing mothers are recovering from the delivery, while simultaneously establishing breast milk supply - and being significantly sleep deprived - in the first month, the baby will be feeding in a 3-4 hourly rhythm - all day and night.

This makes all family members tired, underslept and primed for a temporarily weakened immune system. Everyone’s vulnerable - not just the baby. The last thing they need is a head cold, or worse.

If you’re sick or think you’re becoming sick - delay your visit. There’s not a parent in the world who will be disappointed you didn’t visit if you were at risk of making them sick.

We’ve learned plenty since Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis first discovered that washing his hands between patients dramatically reduced hospital death rates back in the 19th century, so asking visitors to ensure they’re healthy before they arrive is not a big demand.

Visitors and vaccinations

I recommend that everyone spending a lot of time with newborns should receive a whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine booster – if they have not had a booster in the last 10 years. Immunity to pertussis wanes over time, and this disease is particularly dangerous for young babies.

If you and your family feel strongly about certain vaccines, you have every right to make your own choices. I urge open, courteous conversations with a particular focus on a happy, settled baby and recovering mother.

Pro-tip: An easy way of ensuring both of these things is to send a group text message to friends and family before the baby arrives; you’re welcome to blame me!

“Hi loved ones, we can’t wait to welcome our new baby to the world shortly.  We’d love you to come for a cuddle, and our paediatrician has recommended that visitors have their whooping cough vax booster updated if more than ten years old. Also, as a general rule: delay your visit if you’ve got a cold or any illness. Thanks so much!’

RELATED: ‘I emailed them rules for visiting our newborn’

Spring is an exciting time of year but also one that brings many health problems. Image: iStock

RELATED: “My nanny gave my daughter a cold sore”

Getting out and about

As discussed, newborns have developing immune systems and while we need to protect them from sick visitors -  they do not need to be completely cocooned in their homes for fear of viral exposure.

Many parents elect to remain home until their baby’s first round of immunisations in the community; this is not necessary and not advised. Immunisations have a cumulative effect, meaning one dose does not provide complete protection for many of the immunisable conditions.

So if you want to get out and about - please do.

But back to the original question… can you kiss the baby when you visit?

My advice - if you’re well, vaccinated and the parents feel comfortable, ask permission and lavish that bub with affection.

After that kiss and cuddle though, show the same love by helping those parents with a few jobs around the house, bringing nutritious food, making a cup of tea or offering to help in any way. It will be far more valuable to newborn parents than any kiss. 

Dr Golly (Dr Daniel Golshevsky) is a Melbourne-based paediatrician, father of three, and author of 'Your Baby Doesn’t Come With a Book.'

As a general paediatrician, he cares for babies, children and teenagers of all ages, managing physical, mental and behavioural development as well as illness and emergency.

Originally published as I’m a paediatrician and this is why you should never kiss a new baby