It’s normal to want to hold and snuggle your new grandchild, niece or nephew during the cute newborn phase. However, during cold and flu season, you may be showering the little one with germs as well as love. Here are some tips to protect babies from germs.

If you’re a grandparent, family caregiver or doting friend who will be spending a lot of time around newborns, take precautions to protect babies from illnesses their immune systems aren’t prepared to handle.

Parents: Don’t be shy about asking loved ones to take these steps before holding or caring for your baby.

Get up-to-date on necessary vaccines

“In the ideal world, everyone who comes in contact with kids would be fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Keith Pulvermacher, a Marshfield Children’s pediatrician. “Newborns are blank slates prone to many different illnesses in the first two months.”

Newborns are more likely to stay healthy when the people around them are vaccinated. It’s especially important for grandparents, immediate family and other people who spend a lot of time around babies to have a current flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.

Learn more: Current COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccine recommendations and eligibility

Wash your hands

It’s possible to spread germs without having any signs of illness. Hand washing is crucial when you’re sick, but it’s still important when you’re healthy because it’s one of the easiest ways to avoid spreading illness to babies. Wash your hands after changing a baby, before feeding them and anytime you come home from running errands.

Try to limit touching the baby’s mouth and hands and kissing the baby around the face.

“That can be hard to do because of how parents and family members bond with newborns,” Dr. Pulvermacher said.

Family members are sick around my newborn. What to do?

Staying away from newborns when you’re sick is the safest option. Try to avoid visiting babies while you have a fever, cough and cold symptoms or diarrhea.

It may not be possible to distance yourself if you’re a baby’s sole childcare provider. Use extra caution if you must care for a baby when you’re sick. Wash your hands before touching a baby if you have diarrhea or a cold. Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms like runny nose or cough.

Masks are designed to prevent the spread of germs that easily spread to a person’s face and spread infection to other parts of the body through the mouth, nose or eyes.

If you, or other household members, are sick, you can wear a mask around the baby to avoid spreading germs. Do not use a mask on a child under age 2. Young children have smaller airways, making breathing harder for them.

To help protect your young infant, avoid unnecessary public contact or keep the outing short. To help cover your infant, you can place a blanket over the infant carrier, not the infant. This helps protect your child, but still allows them to breathe comfortably.

Sick children who live in the house should stay away from the baby as much as possible. Make sure older siblings who are sick don’t touch the baby or the baby’s toys and bottles. They should wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer to avoid passing the illness to parents or caregivers.

“Newborns have the advantage of not being mobile, so it’s easier to keep them away from other people in the home who are sick,” Dr. Pulvermacher said.

Limit outings during cold and flu season

Limit newborns’ exposure to germs outside the home as well as inside. Busy malls or holiday parties with all your distant relatives aren’t the best places to take newborns because someone there is likely to be sick.

Parents of premature babies are advised not to attend functions during the first few months, but parents of full-term, healthy infants also should be careful in crowds during cold and flu season.

If you’re feeling cooped up, consider going outside for a walk or even just drive around. Just make sure you protect them from the weather and elements this time of year.

Navigating tough conversations

Having a newborn is exciting but can be stressful when it comes to setting boundaries. As a new parent, it’s likely incredibly important to you to prevent sick family members around your newborn and to prevent your newborn from getting sick.

Consider sharing in advance with family and friends if you plan to limit visitors to help keep your baby safe and healthy.

“It’s most important to keep your baby healthy,” said Dr. Pulvermacher. “As the parents or guardians, your decisions and boundaries are valid.”

Contact your newborn’s health care provider if the baby develops a fever, vomiting, diarrhea or cold symptoms.

For questions about germs, talk to a Marshfield Children’s provider.

Schedule appointment Message your provider

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