Don't Just Kiss the Newborn

When visiting or visiting relatives who have just given birth, many people are irritated and immediately kiss a newborn baby. In fact, kissing a newborn baby also has "rules". In newborns, the body's immunity or immunity is still immature, making it vulnerable to disease. It's not easy to keep a newborn baby in order to really be in a clean environment and away from the causes of disease. Including germs that can easily move through touch or kiss from people around the newborn.

Newborns are still vulnerable to disease

The most basic reason should not kiss a newborn baby, because the baby's immunity or immunity is still immature. In the first few weeks, newborn babies still rely on the remaining antibodies from the mother as temporary immunity. The baby's immunity begins to mature when he is 2-3 months old. However, parents still have to limit direct contact between the baby and those around him, before he is six months old. At this age, babies are still vulnerable to being infected with viruses and bacteria from other people. Some viruses that may attack infants include influenza and rotavirus viruses, then pertussis bacteria and streptococcus. Infants who have influenza due to contracting from adult kisses, are at risk for more serious infections such as ear infections, inflammation of the sinuses, and pneumonia.

Tips to Protect Babies from Exposure to Viruses and Germs

Give an explanation to relatives or people around about the prohibition of kissing a newborn, especially at the age of the first two months. If you are afraid that the prohibition will not be heard or feel reluctant to express it, let them know if it is a doctor's advice. In addition to the prohibition of kissing a newborn baby, the habit of touching or kissing the area around the newborn's hands should also be avoided. This is because the baby has the habit of sucking his fingers, so the possibility of bacteria and viruses into his mouth can happen. So it's good to advise relatives to always wash their hands before touching the baby, and limit it to only touch or kiss the baby in the area around the foot only for the health of the Little One. Now, in addition to these rules, there are some things that can also be done to keep away from exposure to germs and bacteria in newborns. Here are a few:

• Washing hands

Infectious diseases are most often spread by touch. That's why washing hands is very important before touching a newborn baby. To minimize exposure to germs, wash your hands using soap and warm water. Not only visitors or relatives, parents who will carry a newborn baby should also do this. Wash your hands every time after going to the bathroom, holding raw vegetables or meat, playing or shaking hands.

• Using antiseptic solutions

Hand sanitizer or disinfectant liquid containing alcohol can be an alternative when there is no water and soap to wash hands. Rub the liquid on the hands for 15-20 seconds for maximum results.

• Limit visitors who come

Not everyone understands the importance of maintaining a safe environment for newborns. If there are relatives who are suffering from fever, coughing, sneezing or sore throat, it's good to ask them to postpone the visit until the condition is completely recovered.

• Avoid too long in a crowded environment

You can still bring your little one out of the house. But in the first few weeks, avoid taking too long a newborn baby to shops, restaurants, malls, markets, or other environments that are too crowded. This will help avoid babies from people who are curious to touch and kiss it.

• Follow the vaccination schedule according to the doctor's recommendations

One of the important things to protect the health of newborn babies is to meet the vaccination schedule recommended by the doctor. Vaccination will help protect babies from various dangerous diseases.

Parents often feel reluctant to restrict others from interacting with newborns. However, reminding others to continue to follow the "rules" that Father and Mother apply must still be done so that the health of newborn babies is maintained. If deemed necessary, parents can consult further on how to maintain the health of the newborn to the doctor.