Parenting Newborns & Infants (0-1) Support Group

That's kind of a tough one, but being he is only ten days old, if people want to hold him or touch him, they need to wash their hands. Tell them the doctor told you to make everyone do it....at least it takes some of it off of you. If they get offended, then I guess they won't be holding him. My baby is 10 weeks old, and I am not quite as stringent on people washing their hands, but if it's someone new, I usually ask them if they don't mind washing them.

As for the smoking, that's a little harder b/c it's their house and you can't ask them not to, so the only way to avoid it is not taking him to houses that smoke. If they ask why, say you would prefer him not be around smoke and you don't feel comfortable asking them not to smoke in their own home. Maybe they'll get the hint. Hope this helps!

I don't have much advice, but I think you are doing the right thing. I totally agree. I actually didn't have to tell most people to wash their hands first, they did automatically before holding him. Good luck

Yeah I guess I was lucky in a way because I had a winter baby, so people just washed their hands before being asked. However there is nothing wrong with you asking people to wash their hands first, I don't know why that should offend someone.

As to the smoke thing, honestly I wouldn't take my child anywhere where there would be smoking.

With DD1 we religiously washed our hands and made everyone use Purell before holding her. With the rest of them, we really didn't care. We didn't have strangers touching them so we were a lot less anal about those things. I feel that germs aren't going to hurt them, they actually need some to build their immune systems.

As far as the smoking goes, let them know that if they want you at their house they can't smoke and if they are at your house you don't allow it. Some of my family smokes and we didn't even have to ask them, they took it upon themselves to not smoke around the kids.

I had a winter baby as well, so people were more understanding considering it was flu season. My oldest was a summer baby though and honestly, i didn't care what people thought when I asked them to do it b/c they wouldn'y be the ones dealing with a sick baby. I would. Don't worry about it and just keep on telling them to do it :)

As for the smoking, I would tell them they need to go further away from the house when smoking.

I ask people if they can wash their hands and have to say that most dont get offended. But if someone does, oh well. Its your child and you do not want them to get sick. My BF smokes still, and he washes his hands after every cigg before handling the baby. I would just ask politely if they can watch out where they are smoking. I have actually asked people i dont know in public to please put out their cigg and most understand. Its your child, and you are just watching out for them

I don't know what it is. I feel comfortable asking everyone...my family, friends and even strangers...not to smoke around the baby. Truth is I don't really have to cuz most of them understand and have adjusted without my asking. But James' mom and step dad don't seem to get it and even though I know that I have a right to protect my baby and it's not like I'm asking something rediculous like to get rig of their microwave or something, I know that no matter how I say it they are going to be offended and look at me a lot differently. I know it's not fair. I'm just doing what's right for our baby, but I know they aren't going to understand the way that most people would. They are going to think that I'm overprotective and unreasonable cuz non of the other grandchildren were protected from it and if they're all fine then why should it be any different with Jaxon. I know that we aren't up there very often and the chance of it effecting him in the long run is little to non, but I just don't want him to be around it and I know that's my right. I'm just dreading the effects. James knows what the effects are going to be too and I think he'd rather just be quiet cuz that would be easier, but he said he would say something. he doesn't know what to say though and like I said, no matter how it's said, I have a bad feeling. This sucks. I shouldn't have to choose between my son's safety and the approval of family. I know that Jaxon comes first though. I'll tell you what happens.

I would tell friends that the docteo advised you to use health precautions while your baby is little. an washing of hands is the universal method used.
The smoking? I would ask then to step outside when they smoke and if they get upset then you can not go to that house with the baby. you have your rights to what you want for your baby, If they are at the door ,moving outside is not such a compromise. love Maura

you sound just like every new mom, this must be your first.

you want your child to be exposed to alot of things to build up his immune system. the last thing you need is a bubble baby that gets sick alot, allergies or rashes. think about it if something makes him a little sick now hell be immuned to it and be able to resist it later. thats how vaccines work.

by the time hes 2 months you wont be so particular about it. i was adamant about not letting her out of the house till she was 1 month old. but people came here and some didnt wash her hands, sdshe is still perfectly healthy. a little pass through cig smoke issnt that bad. its when its a inside smoking house and you baby sits and brethes the second hand thats detrimental. so when you go visit a smoking house saty outside.

I'm sorry but some of the things these people are saying are just wrong. You do NOT want you baby exposed to a lot of things to build their immune system. If you are breastfeeding then that helps build your baby's immune system. If you are not breastfeeding then it will take even longer for the baby's immune system to build up and it is all more important to NOT expose him to things. Before your baby is 8 weeks he/she is very susceptible to getting sick and a sick infant before 8 weeks is a very serious problem.

As for the smoking thing I can totally relate. A lot of my husband's family smokes and because of this they have not been able to meet my son. I refuse to take him to a house where people smoke and especially over to hubby's family's house because they all chain smoke. My house is a smoke free home and they can feel free to come over here but each and everyone of them has chosen not to and that is fine with me. If they would rather choose smoking than meeting and bonding with this perfect little baby then I don't really want them around anyways. I have also had to stop going to my mother's house because she lets my little brother smoke marijuana in the house and I absolutely refuse to let my son be subjected to that.

If I were you I would tell them to come to your house but that it is a smoke free environment. If they choose to come then great and if not then it is their loss.