Do You Wash Your Hands Before Holding Babies?

September 4, 2008

Having grown up in a big extended family, it's become second nature to me to wash my hands before holding a baby. When my daughter was born, my husband was amazed that each and every one of my relatives stopped by the sink in our hospital room or apartment to scrub their hands before unleashing their excitement and laying their hands on our infant.

Do you abide by this practice?
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18 Comments

ayuninur 4 years 37 weeks

no..oops!

ayuninur 4 years 37 weeks

no..oops!

Pallas Athena 4 years 37 weeks

Since I was kinda young when my cousin had her babies I was told to wash my hands. Now that I'm older and I was there to take care of her kids while she was in the hospital or take care of her newborns, I used hand sanitizer at the hospital and the sanitizer they sent. Sometimes even before using it I washed my hands. The twins were premature so they needed to be held a lot so we always had hand sanitizer and no one could touch the baby (also no one thought to) without using hand sanitizer. I still wash my hands if I'm going to hold them or let them put my finger in their mouth (to bite on, etc.) or feed them because my hands and their hands are dirty. They're only 11 months.

kikidawn 4 years 37 weeks

oh wow, thanks for the info Greggie :)

milosmommy 4 years 37 weeks

And once the kids were allowed near I made sure they washed up really well, longer than I made the adults do it.

milosmommy 4 years 37 weeks

For a newborn absolutely, but older babies not as much. My son had a blood infection and was in the hospital for almost 3wks after he was born. We weren't allowed to have him any where near small children for like a month after and there was no way I would've let anyone else get near him without washing up first.

Greggie 4 years 37 weeks

Once they're a month or so old, I wouldn't even think to ask someone to wash their hands before touching/holding the baby. kiki, you're not supposed to use hand sanitizer around kids under a year since their skin is so sensitive. I didn't know that when I had my first, so I used it one day after changing his diaper. I then picked him up and caused palm-shaped burns under his arms.

Greggie 4 years 37 weeks

Once they're a month or so old, I wouldn't even think to ask someone to wash their hands before touching/holding the baby.kiki, you're not supposed to use hand sanitizer around kids under a year since their skin is so sensitive. I didn't know that when I had my first, so I used it one day after changing his diaper. I then picked him up and caused palm-shaped burns under his arms.

nv27 4 years 37 weeks

I agree with everyone that says they wash up when it is a newborn, but as the baby gets older, they need to build immunity. The first day I visited my neice in the hospital everyone washed their hands before they held her or touched her but after a few months it just sort of wore off. Now she gets into everything anyways, so. . .

kikidawn 4 years 37 weeks

When they are small newborns yes ... Greggie, that sounds horrible ... was it just regular sanitizer like Purell? I had no idea it could burn!

kikidawn 4 years 37 weeks

When they are small newborns yes ... Greggie, that sounds horrible ... was it just regular sanitizer like Purell? I had no idea it could burn!

Greggie 4 years 37 weeks

I agree with meandtheo. With a newborn, yes. It's common courtesy to do so unless the mom says don't worry about it. I get seriously annoyed when people visit me in the hospital and don't wash up before grabbing at the newborn. Thankfully most people were thoughtful enough to use the sink right there to wash up a bit. I don't let people hold my babies just after using hand sanitizer, though. Not after my oldest son was burned by it.

Greggie 4 years 37 weeks

I agree with meandtheo. With a newborn, yes. It's common courtesy to do so unless the mom says don't worry about it. I get seriously annoyed when people visit me in the hospital and don't wash up before grabbing at the newborn. Thankfully most people were thoughtful enough to use the sink right there to wash up a bit.I don't let people hold my babies just after using hand sanitizer, though. Not after my oldest son was burned by it.

meandtheo 4 years 37 weeks

I voted no, because I do not ALWAYS do it...but i don't agree that "Germs are everywhere, infants should build immunity." i also think it is different with a brand new baby and an older one...but i should get into this habit, washing hands more often is good for everyone!