Need Advice. Exposing a newborn to people.

BritteB · May 2012

My mother in law has decided to have a family reunion at her house three weeks after our baby is born. I am very hesitant to bring my little one to it. I am worried about her getting exposed to illness when she is so young. I am especially worried because in the past month there has been an epidemic of whooping cough here and in the surrounding states where family will be coming from. What should I do? Am I being too overprotective? I feel VERY obligated to bring my baby because she has moved the reunion here because my husband and I couldn't go. Rather then have it at a a campground that is centrally located so everyone travels about the same distance she is having everyone make the long trek here! What would you do? Oh, and my husband doesn't really understand my worries, which has really made me feel like I'm overreacting! Ugh!

saintpaulJess · May 2012

Unless I knew specifically that someone was ill, I would take the baby.

BoilerUp1 · May 2012

My MIL's mom died 2 weeks after LO was born. I knew that all the extended family, church people, etc. would be flocking to see DS. He and I stayed home. You never know who is ill and at that age I would rather be safe than sorry.

ljanette85 · May 2012

i would feel wierd... i guess if you go use the sling and say that the doctor said no touching

*LrCg* · May 2012

We pretty old fashioned about that and even though I EBF we keep our newborns away from people for the first 6 weeks- excluding visits at our home. Our kids have always been on the tiny side so we always were cautious. If it was me, I would probably wear your baby (find a sling you like) and that way its around but its also not out in the open. People tend to keep their hands to their selfs when babies are attached to you like that.

beth2882 · May 2012

ljanette85:
i would feel wierd... i guess if you go use the sling and say that the doctor said no touching

This. People will be less likely to touch if you are wearing the baby. I have had complete strangers reach into the car seat though.

genekelly · May 2012

I would go but probably wear the baby in an Ergo or Moby so it would be less likely that a lot of hands would be touching her. You could carry some hand sanitizer with you and ask people who want to touch to use some before they do so although that might be overkill. I wouldn't worry about bringing her but more concerned about people touching her.

gimmietimmies · May 2012

I feel weird that you've posted the same question on several boards.

blu-eyedwife · May 2012

I must be the odd (wo)man out. We're Jewish and on the 8th day of life there's a huge celebration/ceremony. All our family from across the country flew in for it. A huge number of friends and community members attended. I know I'm not the only Jewish person in the world, so I'm assuming that many people expose their newborn to large groups of people and the babies have been none worse for it.

blushingbride_08 · May 2012

As long as they are not kissing all over the baby you should be fine.

peachykeen2900 · May 2012

Personally, I would NOT bring my baby. I live in the NW and there has been a huge outbreak of whooping cough and unless people have their vaccine they will not be seeing my baby for the first 3 mos. and no one will hold/touch him w/out the vaccine for at least 6 mos. it's just not worth the risk as several babies have already died in the area. However, if you feel like you want to bring the baby I would just bring baby for a half hour or so of the reunion (in a front pack) so people can see the baby but have minimal exposure

danigirl7181 · June 2012

We took our daughter to family Christmas when she was two weeks old. There were about 45 people there. She was a big baby (8lbs 4oz) and healthy, plus I was BFing, so I didn't worry too much. If you decide to go, just make sure people wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. Definitely make any kids wash their hands.

Shazzie116 · June 2012

For 3 weeks old and considering the whooping cough factor, I would just ask that people look but don't touch. You never know what's lying dormant.

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