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Introduction and "meet the baby" party question

MJGoodwinMJGoodwin member
in Baby Showers

Hello all, I'm a full time reader and less than part time poster on the bump. After reading a few posts on this board I have a small question related to the meet the baby parties I've read about.

 I've never heard of these before and reading about them has brought a question to my mind. I hope this doesn't make me sound like a total OCD germaphobe but what do you do about the worry of exposing your child to germs? Where I live (in WA) whooping cough has become a serious problem as of late. My husband doesn't even want anyone near our baby who hasn't had their flu or pertussis vaccinations. Our immediate family feels the same and will all be getting their vaccinations prior to the baby being born.

I might feel offended or as though someone thought I was unhealthy or dirty if I was asked whether I was vaccinated prior to allowing me at a party. I wouldn't ever think that it would be appropriate to ask that question or to make it a pre-requisite to attending the party. On the other hand, as mothers I know we are all concerned about the health and safety of our children.  

I don't plan to have a meet the baby party partly for this reason but for those of you that do, how do you handle this? Or is it even a concern for you?

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Re: Introduction and "meet the baby" party question

  • maiatenemaiatene member

    not to scare you but I heard recently that the vaccine is not the strength same as the one they gave out back in the day and kids who have the vaccine now are 3x as likely to catch it than those who had the older version

     
    Do your own research but I would start by talking with your doctor to see what they recommend. I would prob wait until the baby has at least their first DTaP shot and keep it to immediate family and closest friends. I would also keep plenty of my own receiving blankets around and require everyone to use that to hold the baby after they wash their hands. And def anyone with a semblance of a sniffle cannot come - absolutely no flexibility with that one.
     
    If you still arent confortable after all of that send birth announcement cards and tell folks you'll see them when you see them bc your babies health comes first.
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  • BallSoxBallSox member
    If it bothers you, don't have one.  They aren't required. 

    Most adults with common sense wouldn't come near a NB if they know they are sick.  However, you don't always know when you're sick, obviously.  There's not really a polite way of saying "You look clean and healthy, you can come see the baby" and "You don't look healthy, stay home please".  So if this is a concern of yours, I'd not have one. 

    That being said, this is coming from someone who teaches preschool based in a hospital and brought her week old to school in the beginning of December and took him grocery shopping with her (and :gasp: put him in the cart basket thing) at like 5 days old. 
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Little Man (4 years old---holy cow)
    He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be.  He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.  
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  • rnfromtnrnfromtn member
    I am TOTALLY with you on this subject.  DH and I have already agreed that we will not be taking our LO to the big family Christmas party.  I work in a hospital, and I don't feel like most adults have common sense when it comes to dealing with a newborn or staying away from people when they are sick.  Our MD advised us with DS to keep his amount of visitors to a minimum for the first 2 or 3 weeks.  Not only to let the baby adjust, but also to let me and DH adjust.  I think people having huge "meet the baby" parties or open houses are crazy.  But, to each their own.
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  • myatalamyatala member

    Our baby will be going with me to church and other public spaces as soon as I feel up to going out, but we won't be passing him around for other people to touch/hold/etc. early on.  I think you have to do what's within your comfort zone.

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  • pearlymerly7pearlymerly7
    I have all the same concerns you have. DH and I are both up to date on our shots; I plan on asking my close family if they've had boosters. And if not, I'm going to ask them to consider it. I will probably not let anyone hold the baby unless they've had their boosters. Sparing their feelings is not worth risking the health of your baby. And if anyone is coughing or sneezing I plan on just asking them politely to leave.  To be clear, we're not having a party. But this goes for people who visit in the hospital or at home. And we will be back at church long before DS or DD gets all the shots. People won't be allowed to hold the baby then.
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  • rhubarb123rhubarb123 member

    I've hosted a couple of these (and had two myself) and my suggestion is to "wear the baby".  Not only does it make it impossible for other people to "hold" the baby but they really can't get that close either.  It also makes it easier to nurse.  lol

    I had a welcome baby party combined with a BBQ for my last two kids.  I didn't wear them but there were only a couple people who held them (my mom, me or my DH).  Actually, no one else even asked to hold them.  I would hope that most people realize that you don't just pass around a newborn.

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  • JenWhite123JenWhite123 member
    Unless you keep your LO in a bubble for the first few years of their lives, they are going to be exposed to germs. DH and I both had the norovirus earlier this year and amazingly DD did not get it (she was 5 mos old at the time and I was BF).
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  • bklynbmpbklynbmp

    Its normal to be worried about these things (I dont think it makes you a germophobe) but the easy answer for those with a concern to just not have a meet the baby party. 

    Asking guests about the vaccination history is a definite no-no.

     

     

    BabyFruit Ticker It's a Girl!
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  • JenWhite123JenWhite123 member
    Actually, a baby has very high immunity the first month or two of life.  LO still has the mother's immunity.
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  • MJGoodwinMJGoodwin member
    I'm not having a party, I was just curious if people had some sort of go-to plan for these kinds of things. I will be using my common sense and not passing my child around or putting him in situations where I do not feel comfortable (obviously). Just wanted to ask the question for those of you who have had or are having a party. Thanks for the answers.
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