visit newborn baby

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• Friends & Family

The Very Best Tips for Visiting a New Baby

How to make your first visit with a newborn such a smashing success that parents will beg you to return., by babylist staff.

It finally happened. You got the news you’ve been waiting for for months.

The new baby has been born!

Your first instinct might be to find out exactly when the parents can bring their baby home from the hospital so you can plan your arrival exactly 30 seconds later. After all, seeing a new baby is thrilling!

Before you make any plans, remember that new parents have just been through a lot. They may also be sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. And new moms are still physically trying to recover while hormones are racing through their bodies.

Ask yourself this all-important question: How can you make your visit as easy and relaxing as possible for the parents? After all, if you win over the parents by being a delightful guest, they’ll want to have you back to see the baby a lot more often!

Prepping for Baby’s Arrival

You might want to initiate a conversation about your first visit even before baby arrives. Preemptively check in with the parents to see if they have any thoughts about their visitor policy. Ask if they have any health or vaccination requests for guests. See if there’s anything you might be able to take off their plate during that newborn haze, like making frozen dinners or scheduling a cleaning service.

Gently opening the lines of communication shows your dedication to supporting the family during this transitional period.

Arriving at home with a new baby–especially for first-time parents–is a very “vulnerable” time, said Michelle Goitia, parent educator, postnatal doula and owner of JC Bump & Baby in Jersey City, New Jersey. So even though the purpose of your visit is to meet the baby, focus on what the parents may want or need, especially in those first precious days or weeks.

The pressure of preparing food or cleaning the house while caring for a demanding baby can be intense. “The biggest concern for new parents is that they feel like they have to entertain anybody that comes to their house,” said Goitia. You can relieve parents of some of that pressure by volunteering to bring coffee or reassuring them in advance that you don’t expect them to roll out the red carpet for you.

When is it Safe for Family and Friends to Visit a Newborn?

“Once babies are discharged from the hospital, we can assume that they’re healthy and can be around family,” said Emily Silver, a family nurse practitioner and founder of NAPS (Newborn & Parenting Support) in Boston, Massachusetts. So there are technically no medical restrictions to visiting a healthy baby the very minute they arrive at home. If the baby experienced complications at birth and/or has spent time in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) , their pediatrician may have stricter rules or guidelines for newborn visits, depending on the health of the baby.

Regardless of the baby’s health, Silver cautioned, your ability to visit a newborn really comes down to the parents’ comfort level. “Everybody’s risk tolerance level is different, especially in a pandemic or cold and flu season,” she said.

Some parents might want everyone to visit and help them adjust to newborn life. Others might only want very close family visiting right away. Some parents might ask you to update your vaccinations for Covid, whooping cough or the flu . Or they might insist that visitors wash their hands and wear a mask.

“I don’t think there’s any right or wrong answer to all those layers. It just comes down to personal preference and their threshold of risk tolerance,” said Silver.

It can feel frustrating to wait days, weeks or even months to visit when all you want to do is rush in to hug the parents and hold the baby. If you find yourself in this position, know that most parents are not trying to push their friends and family out of their lives. Rather, they are trying to protect their brand-new family unit by limiting exposure to germs or simply spending time together to bond.

If your ultimate goal is to visit the new baby early and often, it’s best to graciously adhere to the parents’ wishes. Once parents understand that you’re on their side and have their family’s well-being in mind, they may be more open to having you visit in the future.

Help Out Where You Can

In her “ Grandparent Bootcamp ” sessions, Silver teaches family and friends that there’s a big difference between being a visitor and being a helper.

“A visitor is someone who makes you feel like you have to tidy up, put out food or put on a bra,” she said. “Being a helper means that you’ll do things that make the parents’ day a little easier. Look for unfinished chores that are right in front of you that you can just do without being asked.” Putting away clean dishes you see on the drying rack is one example of this.

The tricky thing about being a helper is that parents will need help in all sorts of different ways. One family might be desperate for you to fold their giant pile of laundry. Another might be horrified that you’ve seen their been-there-for-a-week wrinkly clothes. One mom might be thrilled to hand off the baby to you to hold so she can shower in peace. Another might prefer to hold the baby herself while you sit and catch up on all the gossip.

When in doubt, ask the parents what they need in clear, easy-to-accept language. You might say something like, “I’d really love to help make things a little easier for you today. Would you rather that I fold those sheets, run out to get those stamps you need from the post office or keep an eye on the baby so you can nap?”

The Secrets of a Successful Newborn Visit

You’ve talked to the parents, you’ve prepped for baby’s arrival and you’re in the helper mindset. Now, how can you make your visit such a smashing success that parents will be dying for you to make regular return visits?

• Ask the best day and time for your visit , giving the parents the option to cancel at any time. It can be difficult for parents to make concrete future plans, so decrease their stress levels by remaining as open and available as you possibly can. You might even want to check in before you leave your house to make sure it’s still a good time for a visit.
• Show parents that you prioritize limiting baby’s exposure to germs by taking off your shoes and washing your hands as soon as you enter the house. Parents will respond favorably to your efforts.
• Consider putting an end time on your visit. After you’ve spent an hour with the family, ask the parents what would truly be helpful: would they like you to stay another hour, or is it better to come back another time? This may make your first visit shorter than you would like, but you’ll be playing the long game in demonstrating that you won’t overstay your welcome in the future.
• Ask the parents how they are doing. Goitia noted that the focus is on parents during pregnancy, and after the baby arrives, parents get dropped “like a hot potato.” Of course, you’re there to meet the eight-pound guest of honor, but remember to give some love to the parents, too.
• Support any and all feeding choices and preferences. Feeding can be a touchy subject. Some moms will feed their kids in public without blinking, while others prefer to nurse in private. Silver recommended saying, “Let us know when you’re getting ready to feed the baby and we will go in the other room to give you privacy.” Moms may take you up on the offer or they might not. Either way, you’re again demonstrating your thoughtfulness.
• Find something specific to compliment the parents about , like their ease with soothing the baby or the gorgeous way they decorated the nursery. Tell them how proud you are of them for handling this major life transition with grace.

What Should I Bring When I Visit a Newborn?

The short answer? Food. Our experts said that you can’t go wrong bringing food (in containers that don’t have to be returned, of course). This is especially true if you’re visiting a baby who is more than three weeks old. Families tend to receive a lot of food at first, and then the meal train comes to an end.

But interestingly, Goitia and Silver said that what parents need most isn’t stuff –it’s you .

“Remember that you are walking into someone’s home and they quite possibly were up all night the night before. They might be on the verge of crying because their nipples hurt. Just walk in and be present,” said Silver. Sure you might want to bring a small token of your excitement to meet the baby, but overall, she said, “don’t worry about the ‘stuff.’”

Regardless of when or how you first visit baby, remember that this is only the very beginning of your relationship. So if that initial meeting doesn’t go exactly as you hoped or planned, don’t sweat it. This is only the beginning of the journey.

Once you lock eyes with that precious little one, all of the uncertainty will disappear. The details about how soon you first met or whether the casserole you made was too salty will fade away, and all you’ll take with you is the magic of that first connection.

Babylist Staff

Babylist editors and writers are parents themselves and have years of experience writing and researching, coming from media outlets like Motherly, the SF Chronicle, the New York Times and the Daily Beast, and the fields of early childhood education and publishing. We research and test hundreds of products, survey real Babylist parents and consult reviews in order to recommend the best products and gear for your growing family.

Here's When It's Actually Safe For Visitors To Meet Your Newborn

Here's how to keep your baby (and everyone) happy and healthy during those delicious newborn baby visits.

After what has felt like an absolute eternity to everyone else (and probably you, too), you’ve finally welcomed your newborn baby. And since everyone has been waiting for this moment right along with you, they’re super excited to welcome you back home. Everyone has been chomping at the bit to see your baby. But when can visitors see your newborn? It’s not as soon as you might think.

Those squishy little bodies. Those super small onesies. And OMG, that heavenly newborn baby smell. Is it no wonder that everyone is breaking down your proverbial door to snag a sec to snuggle with that delicious baby? Even if friends, family, and neighbors are all vying to be the first to love on your newborn, you’re going to have to hold them off for a while, Dr. William Schaffner , MD, an infectious disease expert and Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, tells Romper. “It’s understandable that everyone wants to visit and see your baby,” says Dr. Schaffner. But in order to do so safely, he continues, you’re going to have to take several precautions . Here they are:

Here’s When Visitors Can See Your Newborn

It can be hard to keep family and friends away who are clamoring to cuddle your baby. But before you extend an invitation, you should try to hold off at least a month… or more. “Ideally, it is best to wait until an infant has received the first set of the recommended vaccines,” Dr. Leah Alexander , MD, FAAP, a pediatrician tells Romper. “Except for the hepatitis B vaccine, these are administered at the two-month-old well visit and include the Hib, Prevnar, DtaP, IPV, hepatitis B, and rotavirus vaccines.” This time frame might not work for some families, particularly if you have parents who are helping to take care of the baby. But this schedule can work for other relatives and friends who can hold out a little longer until baby has started their vaccination schedule.

Why It’s Not Safe For Visitors To See A Newborn Sooner

Forget about the common cold. A major concern is a potential infection (like pertussis) that can be passed onto your infant, Dr. Schaffner explains. “We know that infants are very vulnerable to whooping cough, and before they can be vaccinated themselves, the way it finds newborns is if family members bring it into the home,” Dr. Schaffner explains. “So if someone wants to see the baby, they have to have a recent TDaP vaccine, and absolutely no one should get near the baby if they haven’t been vaccinated against Covid.” Dr. Alexander adds: “Very serious infections such as sepsis or meningitis are possible during the first few months of life. It would be best for visitors to wait until the baby is at least two months old.”

Is It Safer For Visitors To See The Baby Outside Or Inside?

If Covid has taught us anything, according to Dr. Schaffner, it’s that outdoor gatherings (when possible) are somewhat safer than indoor meetings, where everyone might be breathing in the same stale, stagnant air. “Being outside has a much lower risk than being inside,” says Dr. Schaffner. “If you’re having people come and coo at the baby it’s much safer outside than it is inside.” Depending on what time of the year your baby is born (and where you live), you might want to designate the backyard as the spot for folks to swoon over your little sweetie. Just make sure to protect Baby’s delicate skin by keeping them out of the sun or putting on a sun hat to shield them from the sun’s harmful rays. “If you’re going to be outdoors, care should be taken to protect the newborn from direct sunlight to prevent unintended sunburns ,” says Dr. Alexander.

These Are The Precautions That Visitors Should Take To See Your Baby

Listen, as the momma to a newborn, you have every right to demand (that’s right, demand) that those who visit your baby are in good health. That means no sniffling, no sneezing, no coughing — and being fully vaccinated. “Anyone who plans to visit a newborn should be immunized against pertussis, and, when in season, influenza,” advises Dr. Alexander. “Both illnesses can be life-threatening for infants.”

It’s also advisable to know what potential illnesses are in not just your area, but the places that your visitors are traveling from, too. “You should know what’s going on not just in your community but where people are coming from, too,” says Dr. Schaffner. “For example, if there were a spike in influenza cases where a family member is traveling from, you can find out if they’ve had their flu shot or have been feeling ill.” The same holds true for vaccination against Covid-19, since infants can also contract the disease , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.

“You should do your own symptom screening to ensure that everyone who plans to visit the baby feels well,” says Dr. Schaffner. “And anyone who wants to get close has to wear a mask.” Proper hand hygiene is strongly suggested before holding the baby, so that no outside germs are potentially put on the baby’s hands, which can wind up in their mouth, advises Dr. Alexander.

And finally, you want to make sure that, as tempting as it might be, visitors refrain from being too close to your baby’s face, advises Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, and author of the best-selling parent guides Happiest Baby on the Block & Happiest Toddler on the Block. “There should be no kissing on the face or hands,” says Dr. Karp. “If Grandma wants to kiss, direct her to the delicious little toes instead.” Dr. Karp also advises having a stack of oversized tee shirts that guests can wear over their own clothing to hold the baby. “Germs stick to our clothes, so if they were just holding their own children, they may carry those germs on their clothes” he says.

Here’s How Long Visitors Should Stay To See Your Newborn

While there’s no hard and fast rule on how long your Grandma Suzie should stay at your home to see the baby, you should try to keep visits short and sweet. “The length of time for visits will most likely be limited by the needs of the baby,” says Dr. Alexander. “Most newborns feed every two to three hours, followed by a nap.” So visits should not interfere with this routine to ensure that the baby has sufficient time for both.

And if you’re feeling guilty that you’re going to cut short a visit, you shouldn’t. “ Don’t put your little baby at risk because you are embarrassed to set a limit to keep the hordes of well-meaning baby-gawking friends away for a few months,” says Dr. Karp.

Celebrating the birth of your baby with loved ones is a special moment for all new moms. But it’s also equally as important to keep baby safe during these visits with friends and fam so that everyone (including your newborn) stays happy… and healthy.

Dr. William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert and Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN

Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician

Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, and author of the best-selling parent guides Happiest Baby on the Block & Happiest Toddler on the Block

This article was originally published on June 18, 2021

25 Rules for Visiting a Newborn

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Are there rules for visiting a newborn or new parents? You bet there are!

In this post, I’m going to “lay down the law” so that new moms and dads get the rest and support they so desperately need!

As a postpartum doula, I frequently help new parents to set some boundaries with visitors and family. I hope this post empowers you to advocate for yourself and set the boundaries that will be helpful for your family.

A Note to New Parents:

Many new parents prefer to wait on having visitors and that’s totally fine!

In fact, here are 10 Smart Reasons to Have a “No Visitor’s Policy” after your baby’s birth.

Some new parents are concerned about their baby being exposed to sickness, especially during the winter months. Here are some great ideas for keeping your newborn healthy!

It’s a good idea to discuss your thoughts about visitors with your partner before your baby is born. It’s also important that you are both on the same page. Here are some questions to consider:

Do you want to limit visitors in the hospital? Do you prefer to be choosy about who visits at first? How about asking people to wait a week or more after you arrive home? These are perfectly reasonable requests!

What about etiquette or rules for visiting a newborn and new parents? Is there such a thing? Yup! There definitely is!

And you can share these rules with potential visitors if that’s helpful for you. Read on…

A Note to Visitors:

If you are a friend or relative of new parents, please remember that they are extremely exhausted and most likely overwhelmed. Not only are they likely recovering from a long sleepless labor or hospital stay, but they have probably been awake several times each night to feed their newborn.

Although most new parents are very excited and proud to show off their new baby, they need your help as well. Your visit should be helpful and not make extra work for the new parents. Period.

I recently came across this dialog on social media and I thought it was a humorous, but great example of what I mean:

Friend: “When can I come visit the baby?”

New Mom: “2 am would be really helpful!”

Get the idea? New moms need help. Although you are excited to see the new baby and visit the new mother, before you do so, take a look at these rules for visiting a newborn below. The new parents will be so glad you did!

Related:  What Every New Parent Wishes Their Baby’s Grandparents Knew! 

Related:   10 Smart Reasons for a NO VISITOR’S POLICY after Birth

Related:  How to Plan a Sweet Postpartum Baby-Moon!

1. Always Schedule the Time with the New Parents

Please don’t ever show up unannounced!  This is probably the worst thing you could ever do to a new mother. Enough said!

2. Bring Food!

There are so many adjustments for new parents during the early weeks, that fixing meals is often the last thing they have time for. A home-cooked meal will mean the world to them! If you are not a cook, then consider grabbing some ready-made meals for them:  a deli pizza or entree, rotisserie chicken or some restaurant food are some great ideas.

Another great food idea is healthy snacks for a breastfeeding mother that she can eat one-handed: cut up cheese and cracker plate, veggie plate, cut up fruit, chips and hummus, etc.

3. Wash Your Hands

A newborn’s immune system is immature. Anytime a newborn gets sick, it can be a serious thing.

Not only that, but the exhausted, run-down parents are much more likely to catch a cold or illness too!

4. Never Come Sick

Even a “little cold” can be a big deal for a family with a newborn. If you are sick, please be considerate. Wait until you are better!

5. Keep Your Advice to Yourself

New moms get so much unsolicited advice. It is so overwhelming for them. Please keep your advice to yourself unless you are asked for it!

6. Don’t Visit Unless You are Willing to Help!

Always offer to help out. There is usually lots to do!  A new mother may be out of touch with what needs to be done, so feel free to offer suggestions:  laundry, wash dishes, clean the bathroom, tidy up the kitchen, empty the garbage, recycling or diaper pail, walk the dog, return unwanted baby gifts, address thank you cards… look around… I bet you’ll notice something!

Another idea? Before your visit, text mom or dad to see if there is anything you can pick up for them at the store on your way over!  They will LOVE you for that!

7. Compliment the New Mom

A new mother is often struggling with insecurities that are new or overwhelming. She often feels fat, ugly, inadequate, anxious, tired, moody, depressed… Pay her a sincere heart-felt compliment. It will make her day!

If you really want to show her some love, check out these practical new mom gift ideas! 

8. Don’t Create More Work

When visiting a newborn and new parents, don’t expect to be waited on or served. In fact, make sure that you clean up after yourself, too.

For example, if you bring a gift for the mom or baby, make sure that you clean up the wrapping paper. Wash your own cup or dish if appropriate.

9. Respect the New Parents’ Wishes

New parents may have specific requests regarding the visit. Please honor their requests and respect their wishes, even if you don’t understand or agree.

10. Never Share on Social Media

Don’t ever share a picture of the baby or family on social media without their permission. This is their news to share so please be respectful of that.

11. Don’t Ask Too Many Questions

Some new mothers are more private about what they share. If she doesn’t offer detailed information about the birth or how’s she’s feeling, don’t ask.

She may need time before sharing, especially if the birth was traumatic or difficult.

In addition, new mothers are often struggling emotionally. They can even be confused by how they feel. Time will usually help them, so it’s best not to pry!

If, however, they want to talk and process, listen to their birth story. It’s a great way to care for a new mother!

12. Don’t Ignore Older Siblings or Pets

When visiting a newborn, make a point to greet and congratulate the big brother or sister. Even bringing a sibling gift would be appropriate and helpful!

Many older siblings (and pets) will be feeling left out or displaced. Special attention will be extremely helpful and appreciated by the baby’s parents!

Pro-Tip :  Squat down at their level when talking to them. Children and pets love it when we greet them face-to-face!

 13. Don’t Kiss the Baby

This is really uncomfortable for most new parents. Please don’t do it unless you are sure it’s okay. Even if you ask, you may make the parents feel obligated to agree.

14. Don’t Ignore Feeding Cues

If you are holding a baby who is awake, you will probably notice some early feeding cues such as opening his mouth searching for food, sucking on his fingers, smacking his lips etc. These are early feeding cues. Time to give the baby back to mom before he starts to cry!

15. Don’t Expect to Hold the Baby

Although you probably will get a chance to hold the baby, don’t expect that will always be the case.

During your visit, the baby may be fussy, nursing, or sleeping.  Some babies are extremely sensitive to being overstimulated and the parents might have just spent hours calming down a fussy or colicky baby. Always ask. Don’t assume.

16. Don’t Assume it’s Okay to Bring Your Kids

Some new parents are just not “up” for lots of noise or activity. Excess stimulation is also not so great for a newborn!

Consider offering to visit without young children. Some new parents may also be anxious about the baby catching a cold, but afraid to be honest with you. It’s always worth making the offer to see how they feel. Invite them to be completely honest with you!

17. Don’t Drink Hot Drinks While Holding the Baby

This may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t think about this one. Drinking hot tea while holding a baby is just not worth the risk and will definitely make the new parents uneasy!

18. Don’t Smell Like Smoke or Heavy Perfume

Most new parents will be very concerned about this one. If you are a smoker, please make sure that you have clean, smoke-free clothing before visiting a newborn.

Save the perfume or strong cologne for another time, too. Many people, especially babies, are extremely sensitive to smoke, strong perfumes and scents.

19. Don’t Wake the Baby!

Don’t expect to see a newborn awake. They need to sleep a lot. If they are awake, they usually need to eat, so give the poor mama a break and let him sleep!

20. Don’t Stare During Breastfeeding

If your visit takes place over a breastfeeding session, make sure that you offer to leave the room or at least inquire about the mother’s comfort level. By all means… don’t stare!

If you are uncomfortable, this is a great time to wander into the kitchen and do some chores!

21. Don’t be Loud!

Not only are tired parents not going to appreciate lots of noise, but newborns easily startle. Keep your voice down and don’t irritate new parents by scaring their new baby.

22. Don’t Forget About Dad

Although most dads won’t admit it, they can often feel left out. They may not even realize how they feel.

When visiting a newborn and new mom, try to acknowledge the new dad. Congratulate him! Bring him a cigar, beer, or new dad gift.  Offer to give him a break.  Many new dads would welcome a chance to take a break!

23.  Don’t Ask if the Baby is Sleeping Through the Night!

Newborns don’t sleep through the night. They need to eat often, so please don’t ask that question! It only makes new parents feel anxious that something may be wrong with their baby.

Before visiting a newborn, please read this post to get up to speed on newborn sleep!

24. Don’t Be Surprised or Offended if the New Mother is Emotional, Anxious or Upset

A new mother is often emotional or anxious during the early weeks after childbirth. The hormones in her body (and lack of sleep) are affecting her mood. Please don’t be surprised or take it personally. It takes a while for new mothers to learn to relax and feel confident with their new role.

Please be patient and encouraging! Whatever you do, do not critique her or tell her how to mother. (Unless she asks!) Allow her to learn and grow as a mother.  🙂

25.  Don’t Stay Too Long

Don’t overstay your welcome! Unless you are doing chores, you should limit your visit to about a half hour or so.

The new parents may be too polite to ask you to leave, but watch for signs of them getting tired, disinterested in the conversation or needing to eat or sleep. If the baby is sleeping, they will probably want to nap as well!

Do you have any other suggestions or “rules” that you would recommend when visiting a newborn? Please share in the comments!

9 thoughts on “25 Rules for Visiting a Newborn”

It’s ok to appoint a visiting family member to be a “buffer ” if you have a hard time setting boundaries. Let them be the ” mean guy 😉

Great idea, Kim!! New moms don’t usually have much energy for fighting these battles, anyway. I love this suggestion! 🙂

Thank you for all your great ideas! So wise!

Thanks Becky!

Having a baby doesn’t mean parents are entitled to special privileges. “Don’t visit unless you’re willing to help.” “Ask if you can pickup something at the store.” Guests are not servants. Guests should not feel obligated to spend money to enjoy time with the family. It was the parents decision to have the child; it should be they who are taking on these responsibilities and financial obligations.

I totally understand your point, Ariel, and thanks for your comment! I wrote this post because I often see the opposite with my new mom clients… family and friends who feel entitled to see the new baby and don’t understand how exhausted, emotional and needy the new parents often are after (sometimes) days in labor and/or long sleepless nights with a fussy newborn. Neither party should feel entitled. We all need to understand one another better. Thanks for your comment!

I would say if you’re not willing to do any of those things or at least offer, don’t plan on being a guest for a while. These suggestions are more for the first few weeks/months. When the baby is older and the parents are more settled, someone who is unwilling to help or be courteous should feel free to visit at that time to, as you put it, enjoy time with the family.

I understand the need for boundaries and helping the new parents out. But there are people such as grandmothers who are a great help. You seem to alienate them into the the general pool of visitors. You never mentioned once the benefits of having someone around to help provide extra sleep for parents or support during transitions. Most grandparents have experience and can be a big help.

Good point! I do mention grandparents and the importance of having help in some of my other posts. I should make that distinction in this post, too. Thanks for the great feedback, Michelle!

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When is it Safe to Visit a Newborn? Guidelines for Meeting New Baby

• Wellness & Prevention
• Kids & Teens

This article was reviewed by our Baystate Health team to ensure medical accuracy.

There are few things more exciting for parents, grandparents, family, and friends than welcoming a new baby into the world. But, we all have to be mindful about our early visits with the parents and newborn.

Dr. Marcia VanVleet , MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UMass Medical School – Baystate and Lead Newborn Hospitalist, The Birthplace at Baystate Franklin Medical Center , says it’s critical to keep the baby safe from infection and illness during the first few months of their life.

“Everyone wants to meet the new baby,” she acknowledges, “but parents and others have to think about what’s best for their baby and the new family.”

How long should you wait before letting people meet your newborn?

Dr. VanVleet explains there are no “universal rules” for when to visit or what to do around a newborn – it is really up to the parents – but precautions should be taken especially during the winter season like this year when the flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus,) and COVID-19 are all prevalent. Care and caution need to be on everyone’s mind.

Dr. VanVleet says it is a good idea for parents to choose who will visit the baby early on and who won’t. She says it might make sense to hold off on some visits until the baby is about 3 months (12 weeks) old to allow the baby to build up their immunities. It’s all up to the parents, though, in the end.

“If the person or people who come to your home to visit are going to help, that might outweigh the risk of exposing baby to potential illness,” she says. “If not, parents might want to hold off on the visit until baby is about 3 months old.”

She recommends while the parents are in the hospital visitation should possibly be limited – and maybe no visitors at all – so that parents and baby can get some much-needed rest and bonding time. “Parents are getting to know their newborn,” she explains. “They are establishing a feeding schedule and asking lots of questions. They shouldn’t have people coming into the hospital where they feel like they need to entertain them.”

Dr. VanVleet recommends the baby live in an imaginary health or safety “cocoon” until the age of 3 months.

“They’ve never been sick, never been exposed to illnesses, and as adults, we have to be careful and not come around them if we’re feeling even a little off. Babies can’t get a flu shot until they are 6 months old, and while they are carrying some of their mother’s immunities, it’s better not to take the chance.”

Rules for Visiting a Newborn

While there aren’t universal rules for meeting a newborn, the dos and don’ts below can help visitors protect the new baby and not be a burden to the new parents.

What to do when meeting a newborn baby

• Visit by invitation only
• Call ahead to make sure your visit is still welcome
• Wash your hands often before and during the visit
• Wait at least two weeks before visiting if you have been exposed to a contagious illness
• Make sure you are up to date on vaccines like COVID-19, flu and pertussis (whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection)
• Potentially mask around the newborn, especially if you have been potentially exposed to illness
• Know when to leave by recognizing cues from parents and/or baby
• Help if you can: bring a meal, walk the dog, help clean or pick up the home

What not to do when meeting a newborn baby

• Don’t show up unannounced
• Never visit a newborn if you are not feeling well, and wait a week until you’ve recovered
• Do not kiss the newborn on the face – try to avoid kissing them at all
• Don’t bring other children into the newborn’s home
• Don’t disrespect parents’ wishes
• Don’t make more work for parents

“And just remember, a mild cough from RSV or pertussis in an adult can be serious and even deadly in a newborn, so don’t visit if you’re not feeling well,” Dr. VanVleet says.

When is it safe to have visitors?

 Dr. VanVleet says it is safe to have a visitor when the parents are comfortable with it.

“Sometimes, even though it would be good to wait a few weeks before a lot of visitors start arriving, you just can’t avoid it for one reason or another,” she says. “In those cases, parents should use their own judgment and do what makes them comfortable. As long as visitors follow precautions, it should be fine.”

When should family visit a newborn?

If family is going to help the parents - either with siblings or the newborn or household chores - the benefits might outweigh the risks, according to Dr. VanVleet. As long as no one visits after an exposure to a contagious illness or while in the midst of a cold or illness themselves, the help they can provide to parents might well outweigh the risks. Parents are tired and need the help in the early days and weeks. Even family members, though, should ask or wait for an invitation.

“Parents have to follow their gut – if someone makes them uncomfortable, then they shouldn’t come around until baby is a little older (3 months),” Dr. VanVleet says.

What about siblings?

“Keep sick siblings away from the baby whenever possible,” she says. “Remind them to wash their hands often, and tell them if they feel the urge to kiss the newborn, it should be on the toes, not the hands or the face. In the end, there’s only so much you can do about siblings being around the newborn. As a family we share the good and the bad.”

How do you say “no” to visitors to a newborn?

It is best for parents to let visitors know what is expected and not expected before they even arrive. It can be done nicely by parents simply telling them how long a visit they are up for, when they expect in terms of masking, when they’d like them to arrive, and whether they would like them to stay away if they are not feeling well, Dr. VanVleet says. It is all up to the parents, including whether to allow visitors at all.

“This is a wonderful time for everyone,” Dr. VanVleet says. “As long as everyone is careful, it will continue to be a wonderful time as baby grows.”

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Visitors and Your Newborn: What You Should Know

Your bundle of joy has arrived! Family and friends are clamoring to see your baby, and you may be excited to show him or her off! However, you may also feel a certain amount of trepidation about letting people close to your little one, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. What is safe? What isn’t?

It is ideal to wait until after an infant has received the first set of the recommended vaccines. Infants are especially vulnerable to whooping cough, so parents are within their rights to require that visitors have received a recent Tdap vaccine. The vaccines administered at the two-month-old well visit include the Hib, Prevnar, DTaP, IPV, and rotavirus vaccines.  If outside visitors will be seeing your baby during flu season, they should be vaccinated against the influenza virus.

Covid-19 Concerns

Our current understanding of Covid-19 indicates that healthy infants are not immune to the virus. However, newborn infection with Covid-19 is rare. New parents seem to be at a higher risk of contracting the virus due to time spent in a hospital and out of the home. Due to the fatigue that can be experienced by caring for a newborn , lack of sleep, and stress, they also may have less robust immune systems. If an infant or child does contract the coronavirus, they typically have mild symptoms or experience no symptoms, unlike their parents. For parents, being vaccinated against Covid-19 is recommended.

At an even higher risk are our elderly. Senior citizens are the most likely to face significant complications if they contract COVID-19. This obviously makes planning visits with a new baby challenging. The risk to grandparents is largely dependent on the health of the grandparent, but most will automatically be in the high risk category due simply to age (65 years and older).

If at any time you are concerned that your baby has been exposed to Covid-19, Entirely Kids Pediatrics offers rapid Covid-19 testing in our office. Click here to schedule an appointment or please call 469-425-3600.

Do Your Own Screening

For both health and peace of mind, do your own symptom screening prior to allowing any family or friends to visit with your new baby. It is important to ensure that everyone who plans to visit the baby feels well. Tiny, new humans are vulnerable and even catching a cold can be dangerous for a newborn. It also stands to reason that exhausted new parents do not need to deal with the burden of catching a cold or any other virus while trying to care for their infant. The most important rule you should set for your visitors is that anyone who is ill postpones coming to meet your newborn until they are better.

Hand Hygiene and Masks

It’s very important that all visitors wash their hands thoroughly before holding the baby. It helps greatly reduce the chance that outside germs can end up on the baby’s hands, which frequently end up in their mouth. Encourage visitors to wear a mask during the visit, even if they are feeling well and healthy. The immune systems of newborns have not fully developed. If your visitors wash their hands or use hand sanitizer, in addition to masking, it can help prevent any germs or infections spreading to your little one.

Take It Outside

Covid-19 is contagious up to 48 hours before anyone develops symptoms. Outdoor socially distanced visits (6-10 feet apart) are obviously lower risk for everyone. If all adults wear masks and everyone attending feels well, the risk is even lower. Indoor events involving the sharing of food and passing around the baby bring a much higher risk of illness transmission.

Keep Visits Short and Sweet

Most newborns feed every two to three hours, followed by a nap.  Visits should not disrupt this routine. For breastfeeding moms, especially those with difficulty pumping, staying on schedule can help them to continue producing adequate milk. In addition, short, frequent visits provide the best opportunity for loved ones to bond with your baby. It’s important to remember that the visits do not have to be long in order to develop a close relationship and lasting bond! If you receive pushback from family, setting a date for the next visit should help reassure them that they will have ample opportunity to love on your little one.

It’s okay to feel a bit neurotic screening friends and family, as well as setting rules and limits. We are living in an unusual time. Most people will understand the concerns of a new parent. It’s a small price to pay for a snuggle with that sweet, squishy baby of yours.

Ages & Stages

Your newborn’s first week: how to prepare & what to expect.

By: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Welcoming your newborn into the world brings so much joy—but those first few days can be stressful, too, especially if this is your first child.

If you're nervous, take a deep breath. Here are tips that will help you navigate the changes and challenges that might come up before your first pediatric visit, which should be scheduled within the first week after birth.

Bringing baby home: your newborn's first car trip

Babies born in hospitals or birthing centers will experience their very first car ride soon after leaving the warmth and security of your body. To make the trip safe and comfortable, have the right equipment and clothing ready.

First, install a rear-facing car safety seat in the back of your vehicle. (Note that all U.S. hospitals will check to make sure you have one—so this isn't optional.) If you haven't chosen a car safety seat yet, here's a handy guide .

In dressing your baby for the ride home, remember that newborns have never felt sunlight or outdoor breezes before. Dress them in a soft cap or hat and use a lightweight blanket to shield delicate skin. (Infants have surprisingly large heads, which makes them susceptible to heat loss. Just take off the hat when your baby sleeps to avoid overheating .)

Cooler temperatures call for an infant coat with soft, absorbent layers underneath and blankets to chase away chills. In the car, though, your baby should be dressed in thin, snug layers like a long-sleeved bodysuit and leggings, with the coat and blankets placed OVER the car safety seat straps . In a car crash, fluffy padding in a coat immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness that a child can slip through.

Creating a safe sleep space for your baby

Newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day. Here's how to prepare your baby's bed for healthy sleep and protect them from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.

Based on extensive research, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborns always sleep on their backs to prevent sleep-related deaths. Additionally, your baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface. Make sure you use a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard with a mattress that meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards .

Keep your baby's sleep space free of blankets, pillows, pads, bumpers, or toys. For extra warmth and comfort, you can swaddle your baby ; just be sure to position them on their back when it's time to sleep.

Find more safe sleep essentials here: " How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained ."

Feeding your newborn

If your baby arrived prematurely or has certain medical conditions, your pediatrician might suggest scheduled feedings. But most healthy, full-term newborns can be fed on demand, a practice called responsive feeding .

How will you know when baby's ready to eat? Crying is a classic hunger signal, but there are others to watch for:

Lip licking or sticking their tongue out

"Rooting," or moving the jaw, head or mouth around in search of breast or bottle

Repeatedly putting their hands in their mouth

Restlessness or fussiness

Sucking on everything around

Most newborns will eat every 2 to 3 hours, but your baby's pattern may vary (and be perfectly healthy). For the first 2 days, your baby might take in just a half-ounce per feeding, moving up to 1-2 ounces after that. Your pediatrician will ask about feeding routines and suggest any changes to help your little one thrive.

Learn more about feeding your newborn here .

Knowing what to expect in the diaper department

Of course, what goes in must come out—which brings us to diapering. You'll see a few important changes in the first few days, all healthy and expected.

Formula-fed newborns who take well to the bottle will wet 5 or more diapers within the first day or two. Breastfed newborns might wet less until the nursing parent's milk supply has come in fully. But don't worry: breastfed babies get their share of necessary calories from the early milk (colostrum) that mom produces. Within 3 to 5 days, both breast-fed and bottle-fed babies will wet about 8 diapers every 24 hours.

The first newborn poops you'll see are typically thick, tarry, and black. This lovely, gooey mess, known as meconium , is simply the poop that accumulated before birth.

As breast milk or formula makes its way through your baby's system over the next few days, their poop will look different. Breastfed babies usually produce mustard-yellow, seedy-looking poop, while bottle-fed babies put out different shades of pasty brown. This transition from dark, sticky poop to lighter-colored output suggests your baby is getting plenty to eat.

Keeping an eye out for jaundice

Watch for signs that your baby's skin is turning a bit yellow. This may indicate jaundice , a fairly common condition in newborns. While most cases are harmless and gradually go away on their own, you should consult your pediatrician right away if your baby's skin has a yellowish tint.

Jaundice means your baby's body is working extra hard to handle bilirubin, the substance left behind when our systems break down and get rid of old red blood cells. Some babies experience higher-than-normal levels of bilirubin as their livers learn to cleanse it away. Since some cases can be serious, call your doctor if you see signs of jaundice.

Read more here: " Jaundice in Newborns: Parent FAQs ".

Caring for your baby's umbilical cord

You can expect the little stump of your newborn's umbilical cord to dry up and fall off within 1 to 3 weeks. In the meantime, all you have to do is keep it clean and dry.

If the area gets soiled, just use ordinary soap and water to cleanse it. There are no blood vessels or nerve endings in the cord itself—so you don't have to worry about hurting your baby.

When to call your pediatrician

Most concerns about feeding, sleeping and overall health will be covered in your first pediatric visit. If you're unsure of what's normal (and not), here's a helpful article . However, always call the doctor if your newborn has these symptoms:

Signs of jaundice

Hardness in your baby's abdomen, especially if they haven't pooped in the last 24 hours

Persistently blue skin tone

Frequent coughing or gagging while feeding

Excessive crying, especially if you sense pain

Failure to wake up for feedings, or disinterest in eating

Unusually fast breathing, flaring of nostrils, grunting while breathing or ribs sticking out with each breath

New parents may feel reluctant to call the doctor, but follow your instincts – they're usually spot-on. Remember, your pediatrician is there to help you navigate the challenges of parenthood and will be happy to provide care, reassurance and support.

More information

Your Baby's First Hour: Getting to Know Each Other

How Often & How Much Should Your Baby Eat?

3 Ways to Bond With Your Baby

11 Common Conditions in Newborns

26 Rules for Visiting a Newborn Baby

Whether it’s your niece, your godson or best friend’s new baby, going to visit a newborn is an exciting time. You’re likely thrilled for the family, as well as thrilled to meet this tiny, special person who will undoubtedly be an important part of your life.

But what’s not said enough is that, for a mother whose just given birth, it’s also an extraordinarily delicate time. Women are recovering from giving birth, are likely more ill-rested than they’ve ever been and are adjusting to meeting the demands of the most demanding person they’ve ever met, 24/7.

While you’ll likely want to get your baby snuggles in ASAP (especially while the little one still has that intoxicating newborn smell), you also want to proceed with caution. Because the thing is — everyone wants to get their baby snuggles in ASAP. And having a slew of endless visitors isn’t exactly relaxing for new parents who’ve just survived the magic (or mayhem) of childbirth.

If you have plans to visit a newborn baby anytime soon, here are a few basic rules to keep in mind.

Do Not Come Unannounced

In the early days of postpartum, do not, I repeat, do not come around uninvited or unannounced. Families are busy adjusting to life on very little sleep (if any) and generally do not appreciate visitors coming when they are least expecting it. Make sure the family has fair warning that you will be coming and ask permission first.

It also might mean waiting for an appropriate time. If you don’t get to see the new baby within the first 24-hours, you’ll recover. But forcing yourself on a family that isn’t ready for your visit, might cause extra stress that isn’t appreciated.

Keep Your Visit Short

It’s almost a given that plenty of people are going to be stopping by to visit a new baby. It’s certainly a time of celebration. But what is not so welcomed is when the revolving door never seems to stop turning.

Be courteous of the fact that you aren’t the only one paying the family a visit, so don’t stay all day. Keep your visit short and sweet to make time for the family to rest or greet other visitors.

Bring Something

Whether it’s a casserole, flowers, or a box of massive sanitary pads (because yes, mom will need them), do not show up to the home where a new baby lives empty-handed.

Better yet, ask what would be most needed before you come. Chances are, there might already be a stack of half-eaten lasagnas in the fridge and what mom really needs is a bottle of wine and some more diapers because, omg, they go so quick. But whatever you bring, bring something.

And don’t be upset if everyone forgets to say thank you either. Remember, they are seriously sleep-deprived and might not even know what day it is.

Ask What the Family Needs

A new mother can feel a variety of ways in the immediate postpartum. From weary, to exhausted, to downright overjoyed. It’s hard to predict exactly how a new mom is feeling or what she’s going through. That’s why it’s so important to tune in and listen to what she needs.

If you don’t know or feel uncertain, don’t be afraid to ask. Often times, we expect new moms to be filled with pure joy when in fact, there are tons of other emotions swirling around.

Be kind, be delicate and give her the space to tell you what would be most helpful.

Don’t Expect to Hold the Baby

Everyone wants a piece of that new baby. So much that sometimes folks will go right ahead and snatch him or her up without asking. That’s a big no-no.

New parents are busy bonding with their babies in that crucial postpartum time period. If mom’s anxieties are heightened, having her newborn passed from person to person might not help her relax but instead trigger anxiety instead.

Always ask permission to hold a newborn rather than assuming it’s your turn. And ask (frequently) if mom is ready to have her baby back. Perhaps she’ll be glad to have the extra arms, but often times, at least early on, moms are more interested in staying closely connected with their newborn. Be open to either scenario and act accordingly.

Wash Your Hands

Even if you aren’t expecting to hold the baby, make sure to wash your hands. New parents appreciate it when you come in their home if your first stop is at the kitchen sink to give your mitts a little scrubbing.

No one wants those outside germs around their newborn, even the most laid-back new parents. So scrub before you come close and especially if you’re planning on snuggling that new bundle.

Do Not Come If You’re Sick

Likewise, do not ever, under any circumstances, come and visit a newborn if you are even remotely under the weather.

If you have so much as a sniffle, don’t expect to be swaddling up that new, very fragile new infant.

Parents do not appreciate your sniffles, or even your sweaty hangover. So stay clear until you’re feeling well enough to come around.

Clean Something

If you’re coming to visit a new baby, there’s not much to do besides ooh and aah . While the family appreciates how much you adore their new baby, ya know what they’d appreciate more? If you didn’t just stand around but made yourself useful.

So much falls by the wayside when caring for a newborn. Dishes get left in the sink. Carpets go un-vacuumed. Even if you’re only staying a few minutes, load the dishwasher, take out the trash, or find some way to make yourself useful.

In the newborn days, a little help around the house goes a long way and is always appreciated.

Focus on the Mother, Not Just the New Baby

New babies are wonderful and amazing. Ya know what else is wonderful and amazing? The person who just brought that new baby into creation. New mamas need some love and attention to, but friends and family are often so wrapped up in excitement about the new baby that they forget about what mom has just gone through.

Like childbirth, recovery, the massive hormone dump and sleeplessness that comes with postpartum. Ask how she’s feeling. Bring her her favorite meal. Offer to run an errand or do anything that might make her life easier.

Giving a little care to a new mom can go a long way, but neglecting a new mom completely, by focusing solely on the new baby can sting and send the wrong message about where your priorities lie.

When you enter a house with a newborn, act as if you are walking into a sacred space. Do not bang on the door. Do not stomp your feet or loudly announce “I’m heeeere!” Maybe even send a text first to let someone know you’ve arrived before you barge in.

Understand that newborn schedules are crazy and hectic and your mere presence might be disrupting whatever tiny portion of sleep everyone is getting.

Be prepared to talk in a whisper, act low-key and generally, behave in the least disruptive way as possible, if the situation calls for it.

Give Older Sibling Attention

Becoming an older sibling is exciting. But it’s often an intense period of adjustment. Watching mom and dad fawn all over a new baby is hard and confusing. When everyone else comes in and starts doing the same exact thing, it can be feel like a double-whammy.

“What about me?” big sis or big bro are often left wondering.

When you show up to visit a new baby, parents love it when you give some love to the big sibling, too. Because it’s not unlikely that they are getting a whole lot less attention they are used to. And ya know what? They don’t want to talk about the new baby.

Play dolls or legos or vampire princesses instead. Pretend the new baby doesn’t exist. Make it all about the big kid, at the very least, for a few minutes. Because if there is one question they are tired of being asked it’s “what do you think of the new baby?”

Keep Your Expectations Low

While moods and circumstances pretty much vary day to day in the early newborn days, most families enjoy having a few visitors come and greet their new baby. But it’s also important to understand what a delicate time it is for everyone and to keep your expectations low.

You might not be able to stay and hang out for long. You might show up and find that mom is taking a much-needed nap. You might even have to drop your lasagna on the porch and come back at a later time.

All of these scenarios shouldn’t upset you because it really isn’t about you in the first place.

Sometimes, the best way to care for the family of a newborn is to give what you can but expect very little because mostly, newborn parents don’t have much to give at the moment. But they’ll be back to themselves soon enough. Well, relatively speaking.

Be a Good Listener

Yes, the baby is cute. The baby is so freakin’ cute. We all know the baby is cute. The parents definitely know (or, they likely believe it is, even if it hasn’t quite cutened up yet).

But instead of droning on and on about the miracle of a child that has been created, let the new parents do some of the talking.

They likely have some thoughts and feelings to share on the birth, the first few hectic weeks or days, and essentially, what it feels like to be in their new roles.

Open your ears and let them know you are there to listen, as much as you are there to see the beautiful child.

Only Offer Advice When Asked

While us veteran parents tend to think we know everything, it’s important to remember that it isn’t your place to offer advice unless that advice is specifically asked for. New parents are constantly bombarded with questions and unwelcome opinions on everything from breastfeeding versus formula feeding, co-sleeping versus crib-sleeping, sleep-training, and so on.

They have probably already heard, read, or absorbed the information you have to give anyway, so leave it on the doorstep. If they want your opinion, believe me, they’ll ask for it.

But being a parent is much more about figuring out what works for you, rather than trying to do things like everyone else. Let them know you have plenty of advice to offer if they want it, but don’t push, pry and especially, don’t judge their choices if they are different than your own.

Don’t Assume Everyone Is Over the Moon

Even in the best of circumstances — a birth that went off without a hitch, a baby who sleeps peacefully and soundly — postpartum is demanding. Don’t make the mistake of assuming everyone is blissful and perfectly content in this wonderful, yet immensely challenging stage of life.

The truth is, postpartum is hard as hell and sometimes, it can take a while to adjust to the relentless demands. Be encouraging and stay away from cliche phrases like “enjoy every moment,” or “aren’t you so fulfilled?”

Chances are, the proud parents are happy, but they are also tired, stressed, and dealing with a forcefield of other emotions. Not to mention, a huge number of new mothers will experience a postpartum mood disorder, so treating her as if she should be nothing but excited, grateful and filled with instantaneous joy can do more harm than good.

Don’t Bring Piles of Hand-Me-Downs

If you’ve had a baby in the last few years, chances are your home is brimming with infant and toddler clothes you can no longer use. Kids grow quickly and sometimes you feel like you’re loading up clothes and shipping them off to Goodwill once a month.

While there might be a time and a place to pass down clothes to friends with babies who need them, the immediate postpartum baby visit is not that time. Parents don’t have the time, energy, or desire to sort through piles of used baby clothes to see what will fit, what’s old and dirty, and what can’t be worn until next season.

Bringing a cute onesie or a hand-knitted hat is one thing. Bringing barrels of your used clothing items is another. You can always mention you have extra clothes to give, but make sure it’s actually wanted before you unload all your baby crap on your friends who are likely drowning in enough of it as it is.

Let Them Sleep

I will never forget the people who held my baby while I took a nap. Those people were few and far between and so they were invaluable.

It’s not unlikely that your offer to let them sleep will be turned down — new parents often want to remain close to their baby, which is biologically normal and healthy. But sleep deprivation, even for a few days, can impact mental health.

An offer to hold the baby while they catch a nap might be passed up. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make it anyway. It just might be the most important postpartum gift you can give.  

Be Generous

Your time is valuable. You might feel like you have better things to do and sitting inside someone’s house, rocking their new baby or tending to their dishes. Chances are, it might not be your number one place to be.

But there are few times in life when people need more help than during postpartum. Be as generous as you can in whatever ways that you can contribute.

A little goes a long way, so whether it’s kind encouraging words, asking new parents what they need, or simply being present and attentive, don’t let the other “more important” things get in the way of being a good friend or family member. Now is the time to extend a hand. Chances are, it will be so appreciated.

Come Back Later, If Need Be

Sometimes, even if you’ve planned ahead and cleared your schedule, it turns out, it’s not a good time for a visit. Parents can’t help a lot of the struggles that go on in the newborn days. Whether everyone was awake all night the night before, baby suddenly refuses to latch, or a host of other infant dilemmas, they are never far off.

You might feel like you’ve been blown off, but try to be flexible with your time and not to feel rejected if you’re asked to come back later.

Parents should be worrying more about their new baby than your feelings, so while it’s disappointing to be told “it’s not a good time,” it’s also vital that you respect their wishes and reschedule your visit.

Don’t Bring Other Guests Without Asking

There are nothing new parents despise more than an entire house full of people,  especially if those people weren’t invited. Don’t assume you can bring other guests with you or that an invitation to visit meant everyone in town was welcome to come over.

Parents will end up feeling like they are throwing an impromptu party, rather than having their friends or family members come for a visit. So don’t take a “the more the merrier” approach.

Don’t ask to bring other guests along who weren’t invited and, definitely, don’t show up with them unannounced either.

Avoid Heavy Odors

First off, take a shower when you’re going to anyone’s house for a visit. That’s just good hygiene. But when going to see and (possibly) touch or hold a new baby, avoid strong smells, like moisturizers and perfumes.

Not only can it be off-putting to a postpartum mom who might not feel so hot, it can irritate infant’s, too. Aside from the smell maybe being a little too intense, many perfumes are filled with toxins that parents might not want a fresh-outta-the-womb infant absorbing.

Soap and water will do just fine. So maybe save the perfume for your date night.

Keep the Focus Off of You

New parents have just undergone a huge life change. More than likely, they want to tell you about it.

Don’t bust in and talk about yourself the whole time. Sometimes, it can be a welcomed distraction to the business of being a new parent.

But keep the focus on the family and off of yourself, unless, of course, you’re asked. Even still, keep it brief and make sure the family feels your focus is what’s happening in their life- not what’s going on in yours.

Do Not Leave a Mess Behind

If you’re visiting a new baby, you should never ever leave a mess. Not even a tiny one.

Chances are, the house isn’t going to be clean anyway. There is simply too much for parents to keep up with in those early days and a lot falls by the wayside.

While it’s great if you can lend a hand, don’t assume because the house is already a mess that your hosts don’t mind you contributing to it. You should leave the house without a trace, or if possible, cleaner than you found it.

Offer to take off your shoes and be as discreet as possible. Most importantly, you’re a grown person: clean up after yourself!

Abide By the Parents’ Rules

Even if they seem wacky or out of character, follow whatever rules the parents lay out. If they want you to take off your shoes before coming in, use hand-sanitizer, only swaddle the baby in a super specific 100 percent all-organic, natural, hypoallergenic cotton blanket, just do it.

New parents are supposed to be a little high-maintenance about their freshly-baked infant. So even if it feels strange to you, remember, their anxieties are a little high because they are doing the most important job in the world: protecting and nurturing their child.

Don’t push back on their requests or act like they are out of their minds. Just be respectful and make them feel comfortable enough to tell you what they would prefer you do or don’t do. Chances are, they won’t always be so high-strung. So, for now, just got with it.

Tell a White Lie

Few times in life are more vulnerable than after giving birth, then quickly learning to care for a new baby. That means it’s not the time for brutal honesty.

Hate the baby’s name? Say it’s “unique.” Think the house is an utter pigsty? Tell them it’s normal to have a messy house in this phase of life! Think mom looks like she could still be pregnant? Get over yourself because postpartum bodies are freaking amazing (and you should tell her that, too).

Essentially, if you need to bite your tongue or stretch the truth, do it. Emotions are running high and no one needs your fearless truth-telling that bad. Not right now.

Make a Plan for How to Help in the Future

Lots of times, new parents get a slew of new visitors all at once, then never see their friends again. Okay, that’s a bit of a stretch but it sometimes feels that way.

Everyone wants a glimpse of the new baby and then they fall off the radar. It can leave new parents feeling lonely after the initial visits fade away.

Don’t be a friend that falls off the radar. Instead, follow up a week or two later and make a plan for when to visit again, bring a meal, or help out in some way. Eventually, mom and dad will need a night out but they may feel hurt by those who haven’t been around through their life transition.

Don’t be a fair-weather friend. Let them know you are nearby, and not just for the fun stuff.

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10 crucial rules for visiting a newborn

Tuan Tran/Getty Images

When visiting a newborn, remember, it's about them, not you

By Diana Spalding, CNM Updated October 17, 2022

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You’ve got this.

Yay! The baby is here! You are so very excited about visiting a newborn baby and fussing over the brand new mama. But hang on a second. Before you do, make sure you are equipped with some key rules to keep in mind to help the visit be a welcome pleasure, and not a strain. After all, the last thing you want to do is add to the new parents’ stress, inadvertently bring over a cold or overstay your welcome. Our tips will ensure your visit is short—and oh-so sweet.

Here’s what to know before visiting a new baby (and a new mama)

1. remember, it’s about them, not you.

Your desire to visit a new mom and her baby is out of complete and utter love for them, I know! But sometimes we get so excited to meet the baby and shower the mama with love that we forget that, really, they are the stars of the show.

Even though you’re there to visit a newborn, make sure the visit is focused on her (probably not the time to start venting about work). She should not have to entertain or serve you during the visit.

Ask her when the best time for a visit is, and perhaps most importantly, be understanding if she says she doesn’t actually want to be visited right now.

Related: Pregnant mom’s rules for meeting her newborn go viral on TikTok because they’re perfect

2. Do not be offended

She loves you. She appreciates you offering to visit her, she really does. But she may just not be ready for a visit—and that needs to be OK.

Let her know, before she even has to say it, that you completely understand if she’s not ready for a visit yet and that you won’t be offended. If she says she’s not, try saying, “I completely get it! I’d probably feel the same way! It’s a standing offer though. How about we touch base again in a week or two and see how you’re feeling then?”

As you know, each woman and birth is completely different. Some women will be craving social interactions, while others will go into hibernation mode. She needs your support to know that whatever she wants is OK—by doing so, you are setting the precedent that she is allowed and encouraged to care for herself as a mom . What a priceless gift!

Related: 13 important rules for visiting with newborns during the holidays this year

3. Call first

No pop-ins when visiting a newborn. Ever. End of discussion. Beyond that, give her a quick call or send a text to let her know that you’re on your way, even when you’ve scheduled the visit ahead of time. She may be in the middle of a nap or feeding the baby, and she’d really appreciate the advanced notice (and opportunity to say, “Eek, can you give us an extra 15 minutes actually?”)

Psst: Score extra points on that call by saying the following: “Hey, I’m on my way! I’ll be passing by Starbucks/the grocery store/Target/etc. Anything I can grab for you?”

4. Be super mindful of germs when visiting a newborn

She is probably very concerned about germs right now—most new moms are—and for good reason. Newborns’ immune systems are still developing and they’re not old enough for many routine childhood vaccinations , so even a small infection can turn into a problem.

Here’s how you can help:

• Do not visit a newborn if you are sick, or have been around sick people (if your child has a bad cold, you should cancel, even if the child isn’t coming).
• Don’t bring your kids, even if they are not sick, unless she specifically says it’s OK. Kids are little germ transporters and it may make her feel concerned to have them there (even though she loves your kids).
• Wash your hands when you arrive, before she asks you to. It can feel a little awkward to have to say, “Hey, sorry, can you wash your hands?” Instead, the moment the door opens, say, “Hi! It’s so good to see you! Before I come close to you, can you tell me where I should go wash my hands?”
• Don’t kiss the baby. I know, I know! So hard! But avoid the temptation.
• Wear a mask. Besides ensuring you’re up to date on your boosters and your flu shot , consider wearing a face mask to protect the new baby from Covid or any other illnesses. Taking these preventive steps yourself can offer extra protection to those who might be more vulnerable (recently pregnant mamas and new babies are considered more vulnerable to both Covid and flu).

5. Bring food!

Nothing says love like lasagna. And chili. And brownies. And muffins. Make sure you’re aware of any dietary restrictions or dislikes, and then go for it. Extra points given for a meal for today and a meal to be frozen for later.

If you are not a chef, consider a gift card for a local restaurant that delivers, or food delivery service.

Related: 5 make-ahead meals to prepare before baby’s arrival

6. Be helpful

(And make sure it’s help she wants , not help you think she wants.)

Here are some ideas:

• Offer to hold the baby so she can take a nap or shower.
• Ask her for a shopping list you can grab ahead of time.
• Walk her dog.
• Play with the older sibling.
• Offer to clean something without implying that it’s messy. Try saying, “Is there anything you need done that’s totally stressing you out? I’d love to relieve some stress for you.”

7. Be thoughtful with the questions you ask

Again, you are so well-intentioned. But new moms can be sensitive and may perceive the questions you’re asking as judgmental without you even realizing it.

• Instead of, “ Are you breastfeeding? ” Try, “He looks so healthy!”
• Instead of “Is he sleeping through the night yet?” Try, “I remember how tired I was after I gave birth. Let me know if you want to take a nap!”
• Instead of “ Did you get an epidural? Try, “Do you feel like talking about your birth at all?”
• Instead of “Are you so in love?” Try, “How are you feeling?”

This last one is really important when visiting a newborn—not all moms fall in love with their babies right away . And, they may be silently experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety , which can alter her connection to her baby. Questions that assume that everything is picture-perfect may make her feel guilty and sad.

Instead, ask her with genuine concern how she’s feeling. Let her know that you are a safe person to come to if she needs support. If she does tell you she’s depressed, urge her to get mental health care right away, or call or text the maternal mental health hotline at 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS).

8. Do not comment on her house or body

Pretty much the last thing she wants to deal with right now is being self-conscious about a messy house or leaking breasts.

“Yikes, it looks like a tornado came through here!” or “Oh, your boobs are huge!” or, “You look exhausted” are not OK. It sounds ridiculous, but it happens—a lot.

You could say, “Her nursery is so adorable!” or, “You are absolutely glowing.”

9. Do not comment on her parenting choices

This is not the time for unsolicited advice, no matter how much you may know. Decisions like how her baby is being fed, whether or not her son was circumcised, her decision to go back to work or stay home—it’s all so personal and probably comes with doubt, no matter what she’s decided.

If she asks you, go for it (gently). If not, please don’t bring it up.

She will love seeing you, but it’s really important not to overstay your welcome. She needs to sleep, bond with her baby, or binge-watch a series on Netflix in peace. Make sure to give her that opportunity.

A note from Motherly

Don’t forget to check back in a few weeks. She will be flooded by well-wishers and visitors during the weeks right after birth—and then it all goes away, just as motherhood is starting to get really hard. This is when she actually needs you the most.

Set a reminder in your phone for after you visit the newborn and when the baby is 4 weeks old, call her and see if you can stop by again. Ask if she and the baby want to go grab lunch, bring her over another lasagna, or simply tell her you’re thinking about her.

She is so lucky to have you in her life. Now go see that visit that newborn (but call first)!

Don’t want to show up empty-handed when visiting a newborn? Here are some goodies we love that she might appreciate.

Herbal Perineal Spray

After the birth of my first baby, one of my veteran mama friends came by and tucked this into my fridge along with the food she brought. “Trust me, this will save your life,” she said. She wasn’t wrong. The herbal spray, chilled to just the right temp came to the bathroom with me on every trip and helped soothe my very tender bits those early weeks. Can’t beat those mama-to-mama “I’ve got you” gifts.

–Sara Goldstein, Commerce Editor

Mulberry Silk Bundle

If anyone needs their beauty sleep, it’s a mama. Ultra-pampering, this gift gives from Brooklinen will help her sleep better thanks to the breathable and soft-as-butter mulberry silk eye mask and pillowcase. Bonus: It’s also super gentle on both skin and hair.

New Mom Gift Boxes

If you’d rather leave the gift giving to the pros, Nurtured 9 has got you covered. Curated especially for new moms, their luxe gift boxes are filled with natural and non-toxic products from brands you know and love that pamper in every way. Choose from well-crafted themes like Replenish and Restore, C-Section Recovery or Lounge and Unwind and rest assured she’ll be smitten with every single thing in the box.

Prices vary.

This article was first published on February 25, 2020. It has been updated.

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Rules for Visiting a New Baby and Free Hospital Door Signs

What Are the Rules When Visiting a New Baby?

You may be reading this because you are about to have a baby and you’re wondering what the etiquette, or better put “rules” are for visitors of your new baby.

On the flip side, if you’re checking this article out because you’re the would-be-visitor, wise on you!

Being here will help you know how to go about defining your expectations for relatives and friends who want to meet your new bundle.

Plus, you’ll be provided with essential new baby rules signs to display for your visitors.

This article is full of useful information on the best and healthiest approach for your newborn and the visitors who can’t wait to meet him or her!

This post may contain affiliate links. Full disclosures here.

When is it Safe to Visit a Newborn?

It is perfectly fine to have visitors around your newborn. However, there should be some expectations put in place for visitors before they arrive. 

It goes without saying, that your newborn is extremely susceptible to germs and can get easily over-stimulated.

You are your baby’s only advocate, which gives you the ultimate responsibility for your newborn’s well-being regardless of how badly your friends and family what to meet them.

With all that in mind, let’s next look at some general ground rules you can relay to your visitors before they meet your new baby.

New Baby Rules 

Here are some ground rules to set in place for your new baby’s visitors:

• Ask BEFORE arriving 
• Wash your hands
• Use hand sanitizer
• Ask before touching
• Do not enter if you or someone you live with has recently been sick.
• Do not hold the baby if you have cigarette smoke on you.
• No strong perfume
• Do not touch baby’s hands

Once your newborn becomes a couple months old, you can worry less about visitors meeting your baby.

However, it is still recommended to NOT let anyone other than mom and dad KISS A YOUNG BABY.

If you’re uncomfortable, or just too tired to explain these guidelines to visitors over and over again, here are some beautiful newborn rules signs.

P.S. You can send these signs digitally to friends and family. Or, print them out and display them outside of your house. You could even include one in a birth announcement.

Rules for Holding My Baby

Please remember mama, there is nothing wrong with you being firm about these new baby rules for your visitors.

Your job will always be to protect your children. 

When it comes to rules for holding your baby, be extra vigilante about NOT ALLOWING someone who has just smoked to hold your newborn.

Require them to wash their hands thoroughly and wait at least 20 minutes AFTER SMOKING before holding or getting too close to your newborn.

This is because toxins will stay on their breath, skin, hair and clothes after smoking.

Also consider limiting the amount of time the baby is being held and passed around as this can be too stimulating for a newborn.

Keep your new baby away from anyone who is coughing, has diarrhea or is vomiting.

Newborns are much more susceptible to bugs while their immature immune system is still so new.

PSSST… You may also like this baby care bundle with newborn rules signs, baby habits tracker, breastfeeding logs and much more!

Pin this image for later!

Grandparents Visiting the Newborn

Listen up Granny and Papa, this part is for you. Mom, you may also appreciate these points as they may help give you some courage to speak up if need be.

When it comes to grandparents visiting the new baby, here are some rules they should abide by and everyone will be happy!

For one, grandparents shouldn’t compete with the other grandparents.

It is only natural for one set of grandparents to hope that they are the favorite. However, competing with each other for any reason is just silly and dare I say, petty?

Grandparents hoping to visit for an extended stay should wait until they are invited first. If they do receive an invitation, they should also do their best to take direction well and not question the new parents decisions with how they care for the baby.

Visiting a Newborn in the Hospital 

Now I know things have drastically changed these last couple of years, which means, you may not even need to concern yourself with hospital visitors at all.

Still, the hospital visitations can be most worrisome for new moms…

This is because a first time mom may have no idea of how she is going to feel, look or even act after she gives birth. The pressure of allowing friends and family to visit soon after her delivery can bring on a lot of added stress.

Additionally, there is a lot of adjusting that needs to take place for both mom and baby. Adding a drove of well-meaning visitors to this crucial time may not be what’s best.

Even so, here are some expectations for visitors of mom and baby at the hospital.

When Should Family Visit the Hospital?

Having explained all of that, when is a good time for family to visit a new baby at the hospital? Is there a definite answer to this question?

Of course not.

The fact of the matter is, that it should never just be assumed that guests are welcome to pop in on a mom after she has just given birth.

The best way to go about arranging these family visits at the hospital is to not make any promises, but wait and see how you are feeling, mom.

If you would like to extend an invitation, then do so and be sure to also designate times that are appropriate and comfortable for you.

The fact of the matter is that you may not feel like sharing you and your baby’s new breastfeeding relationship with your family.

Keep those things in mind when you are graciously allowing family to come see your new baby for the first time.

Do what is best for you and your baby’s developing relationship and your recovery.

In regards to breastfeeding, being prepared is the best way to ensure a smoother ride.

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class by Milkology is an online course designed to be your at home and all in one breastfeeding resource.

You can trust to learn essential breastfeeding skills and techniques that will help you feel more confident and secure with breastfeeding.

You are invited to learn more by clicking here.

What to Bring When Visiting a Newborn in the Hospital

This next section is for the new baby visitors. If you do plan on making an appearance at the hospital, DO NOT come empty handed.

Below are some ideas of thoughtful gifts you can bring for the mom and new baby you love:

• Food or gift cards
• A new mom gift basket with postpartum recovery care essentials.
• New outfit for baby
• Flowers and a card
• Something, ANYTHING

Although it may not feel required to bring a gift, it is the right thing to do. Not only will it show how sweet and thoughtful you are, but it will also ensure that mom feels special and important.

Final Words on Rules for Visiting a Newborn

There you have it, rules for visiting a new baby from both perspectives.

Mom, you have every right to deny visitors for as long you feel is right for you after baby is born.

Visitors, you have no right to complain or feel sour toward a new mom who needs more time alone with her new baby and healing body.

Lastly, do not worry about hurting anyone’s feelings when it comes to keeping your baby safe. If visitors do not want to accept and follow the rules for visiting your newborn, they do not have to come by.

Before you go, help yourself to one of the four free hospital door signs with these new baby rules already written out. This way, you don’t have to explain yourself over and over again!

Don’t leave without your free new baby rules sign!

Download Sign

Related Newborn Reading:

• 8 Newborn Tips Every New Mom Should Know!
• Last Minute Things to do Before Baby Arrives Checklist
• Where to Find Free Mom and Baby Stuff

Rules for Visiting a Newborn Baby

Find also “your germs are too big” signs at my Etsy shop! These are great for placing on strollers and carseats. 

Reference: 

• When Can I Let Visitors Hold my Baby? – babycenter.co.uk

Doctor Visits

Make the Most of Your Baby’s Visit to the Doctor (Ages 0 to 11 Months)

Take Action

Babies need to go to the doctor or nurse for a “well-baby visit” 6 times before their first birthday.

A well-baby visit is when you take your baby to the doctor to make sure they’re healthy and developing normally. This is different from other visits for sickness or injury.

At a well-baby visit, the doctor or nurse can help catch any problems early, when they may be easier to treat. You’ll also have a chance to ask any questions you have about caring for your baby.

Learn what to expect so you can make the most of each well-baby visit.

Well-Baby Visits

How often do i need to take my baby for well-baby visits.

Babies need to see the doctor or nurse 6 times before their first birthday. Your baby is growing and changing quickly, so regular visits are important.

The first well-baby visit is 2 to 3 days after coming home from the hospital, when the baby is about 3 to 5 days old. After that first visit, babies need to see the doctor or nurse when they’re:

• 1 month old
• 2 months old
• 4 months old
• 6 months old
• 9 months old

If you’re worried about your baby’s health, don’t wait until the next scheduled visit — call the doctor or nurse right away.

Child Development

How do i know if my baby is growing and developing on schedule.

Your baby’s doctor or nurse can help you understand how your baby is developing and learning to do new things — like smile or turn their head to hear your voice. These are sometimes called “developmental milestones.”

At each visit, the doctor or nurse will ask you how you’re doing as a parent and what new things your baby is learning to do. 

By age 2 months, most babies:

• Lift their head when lying on their stomach
• Look at your face
• Smile when you talk to them
• React to loud sounds

See a complete list of milestones for kids age 2 months .

By age 4 months, most babies:

• Bring their hands to their mouth
• Make cooing sounds
• Hold toys that you put in their hand
• Turn their head to the sound of your voice
• Make sounds when you talk to them

See a complete list of milestones for kids age 4 months .

By age 6 months, most babies:

• Lean on their hands for support when sitting
• Roll over from their stomach to their back
• Show interest in and reach for objects
• Recognize familiar people
• Like to look at themselves in a mirror

See a complete list of milestones for kids age 6 months . 

By age 9 months, most babies:

• Make different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
• Smile or laugh when you play peek-a-boo
• Look at you when you say their name
• Sit without support

See a complete list of milestones for kids age 9 months . 

What if I'm worried about my baby's development? 

Remember, every baby develops a little differently. But if you’re concerned about your child’s growth and development, talk to your baby’s doctor or nurse. 

Learn more about newborn and infant development .

Take these steps to help you and your baby get the most out of well-baby visits.

Gather important information.

Take any medical records you have to the appointment, including a record of vaccines (shots) your baby has received and results from newborn screenings . Read about newborn screenings .

Make a list of any important changes in your baby’s life since the last doctor’s visit, like:

• Falling or getting injured
• Starting daycare or getting a new caregiver

Use this tool to  keep track of your baby’s family health history .

What about cost?

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover well-child visits. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get well-child visits at no cost to you. Check with your insurance company to find out more.

Your child may also qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn about coverage options for your family.

If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able to get free or low-cost well-child visits. Find a health center near you and ask about well-child visits.

To learn more, check out these resources:

• Free preventive care for children covered by the Affordable Care Act
• How the Affordable Care Act protects you and your family
• Understanding your health insurance and how to use it [PDF - 698 KB]

Ask Questions

Make a list of questions to ask the doctor..

Before the well-baby visit, write down 3 to 5 questions you have. Each well-baby visit is a great time to ask the doctor or nurse any questions about:

• How your baby is growing and developing
• How your baby is sleeping
• Breastfeeding your baby
• When and how to start giving your baby solid foods
• What changes and behaviors to expect in the coming months
• How to make sure your home is safe for a growing baby

Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• Is my baby up to date on vaccines?
• How can I make sure my baby is getting enough to eat?
• Is my baby at a healthy weight?
• How can I make sure my baby is sleeping safely — and getting enough sleep?
• How can I help my baby develop speech and language skills?
• Is it okay for my baby to have screen time?
• How do I clean my baby's teeth?

Take a notepad, smartphone, or tablet and write down the answers so you can remember them later.

Ask what to do if your baby gets sick.

Make sure you know how to get in touch with a doctor or nurse when the office is closed. Ask how to reach the doctor on call, or if there's a nurse information service you can call at night or on the weekend.

What to Expect

Know what to expect..

During each well-baby visit, the doctor or nurse will ask you about your baby and do a physical exam. The doctor or nurse will then update your baby’s medical history with all of this information.

The doctor or nurse will ask questions about your baby.

The doctor or nurse may ask about:

• Behavior — Does your baby copy your movements and sounds?
• Health — How many diapers does your baby wet each day? Does your baby spend time around people who are smoking or using e-cigarettes (vaping)?
• Safety — If you live in an older home, has it been inspected for lead? Do you have a safe car seat for your baby?
• Activities — Does your baby try to roll over? How often do you read to your baby?
• Eating habits — How often does your baby eat each day? How are you feeding your baby?
• Family — Do you have any worries about being a parent? Who can you count on to help you take care of your baby?

Your answers to questions like these will help the doctor or nurse make sure your baby is healthy, safe, and developing normally.

Physical Exam

The doctor or nurse will also check your baby’s body..

To check your baby’s body, the doctor or nurse will:

• Measure height, weight, and the size of your baby’s head
• Take your baby’s temperature
• Check your baby’s eyes and hearing
• Check your baby’s body parts (this is called a physical exam)
• Give your baby shots they need

Learn more about your baby’s health care:

• Read about what to expect at your baby’s first checkups
• Find out how to get your baby’s shots on schedule

Content last updated March 30, 2023

Reviewer Information

This information on well-baby visits was adapted from materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.

Reviewed by: Sara Kinsman, M.D., Ph.D. Director, Division of Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Maternal and Child Health Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration

Bethany Miller, M.S.W. Chief, Adolescent Health Branch Maternal and Child Health Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration

Diane Pilkey, R.N., M.P.H. Nursing Consultant, Division of Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Maternal and Child Health Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration

September 2021

You may also be interested in:

Breastfeed Your Baby

Take Care of Your Child's Teeth

Eat Healthy During Pregnancy: Quick Tips

The office of disease prevention and health promotion (odphp) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website..

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by ODPHP or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

Help Me, Heidi! How Do I Tell My Mother-in-Law She Can't Be the First to Come Visit Our New Baby?

Latest update:, “i’m currently fighting with my mother-in-law about when the best time to visit our new baby will be — and did i mention baby j hasn’t even made his appearance yet she finally admitted she was upset about not being invited to his birth, but i don't feel like being a host to my mother, grandmother, and mil after having a baby, and nobody wants to get a hotel room. any suggestion for this first-time mama before i cave and let everyone just do what they want” ~ mikala h, get to know your newborn baby.

Help Me, Heidi!   is a weekly advice column in which  What to Expect  creator Heidi Murkoff answers your most pressing pregnancy and parenting questions. She’s tackling the stuff you are desperate to know right now — so if you have a question,  ask Heidi here  or on  Facebook  and she might answer in an upcoming column. (Not sure if Heidi's answered one of your questions? Check out the rest of the columns here .)

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First Office Visit, 3-5 Days

Topics to discuss with patients during their well baby visit during the first 3-5 days. Perform a careful nutritional assessment at this visit, particularly if breastfeeding was not well-established before hospital discharge.

• Plot measurements on growth charts (link to Optimizing Nutrition for Newborns and Infants/Nutrition Assessment Tools/Term Infant Growth Tools/WHO Growth Charts for Infants 0 to 24 Months)
• The newborn weight tool provides hour-by-hour weight loss norms based on data from >100,000 exclusively breastfed newborns
• Weight loss >10% of birth weight is generally considered excessive and requires further evaluation
• Jaundice, which is often associated with dehydration and hypernatremia
• Overall hydration, particularly for breastfed newborns
• Initially, urination may be infrequent because of the relative dehydration of the newborn, but immature renal concentrating ability may result in continued voiding despite dehydration
• Urine may initially be dark or contain uric acid crystals, but by day 4 or 5, an infant should pass 6 or more clear, dilute urines each day
• Initial elimination of meconium may be unrelated to feeding, but the transition to breast milk stool is a key indicator of intake
• Describe hunger cues and the potential of overfeeding formula-fed infants
• Confirm formula-fed infants are receiving iron-fortified formula
• Confirm vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants
• stools of the normal human milk–fed newborn are often loose and may be confused with diarrhea if parents are accustomed to seeing the firm, brown stools typical of formula-fed infants
• Once an infant has a good milk intake, the stool will begin to transition in color from black to brown to green and then to yellow, seedy stools by day 4 or 5 after birth
• Well-nourished breastfed infants usually pass a medium-sized yellow stool at least 3 to 4 times per day, or as often as with every feeding
• Remind the mother to eat when hungry and drink when thirsty

Consider Referral

• Attempt to determine reasons for inadequate milk supply before supplementing with formula
• Excessive weight loss >10% of birthweight
• Doughy skin
• Weight loss
• Reduced urinary frequency
• Irritability

Additional Resources

• Breastfeeding Your Baby: Getting Started (handout), American Academy of Pediatrics
• New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding, 3rd Edition (book), American Academy of Pediatrics (also available in Spanish)
• Breastfeeding-Baby Questions (handout)
• Preparing Infant Formula: Important Safety Information (handout), American Academy of Pediatrics
• Healthy Active Living—Responsive Feeding (handout) American Academy of Pediatrics
• Bottle Feeding (Formula) Questions (handout), American Academy of Pediatrics
• Jaundice and Your Newborn (handout)

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Vaccines for grandparents and parents of newborns

New babies are vulnerable to infections, so it's important that parents, grandparents, and others are fully vaccinated against potentially dangerous diseases. 

Who should get Tdap around a newborn?

What other shots do adults need to be around a newborn.

If your family is about to welcome a new baby, there's an important to-do for anyone who'll be in contact with that little sweetheart: Getting vaccinated. This applies to grandparents, parents, the baby's siblings, other family members, and caregivers.

Because their immune systems aren't fully developed, and they're too young to receive protective vaccinations, newborns are very vulnerable to infections. Making sure you don't get sick helps protect the newborn in your life.

Some vaccines that Mom receives during pregnancy can give the baby some protection, because she passes antibodies she develops to her baby. But not all vaccines are safe during pregnancy.

Even if you got all your immunizations as a child, you may not be fully protected. You may be due for a booster (immunity can fade over time) or you may need a new vaccine that wasn't available or necessary before.

For a complete, personalized evaluation of the vaccines recommended for you, take this quiz from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): What vaccines do you need? Opens a new window It doesn't specify what you'll need to be around an infant (use our information, below, to complete your list). But it will help you get your overall vaccines up to date, which will help you protect the new baby.

The Tdap or DTaP vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis ( whooping cough ). The DTaP vaccine is given to children from 2 months to 7 years old, and the Tdap is a booster given to children 7 and older, teens, and adults. Tdap boosters are given every 10 years.

Recommended for : If you've never received a Tdap (or don't know if you did), get the vaccine. You also need a Tdap booster if you haven't had one in the past 10 years.

Get the shot at least two weeks before having contact with an infant, to give your body a chance to develop antibodies to the disease after your vaccination.

Why: Parents and siblings are the most common sources of whooping cough infection in infants, so it's important that everyone in the household have up-to-date vaccinations. Grandparents, caregivers, and friends can also transmit it.

While tetanus and diphtheria are rare in the United States today, whooping cough remains dangerous. It's a very contagious respiratory illness, ­and infants are especially vulnerable because they can't start their Tdap vaccinations until they're 2 months old. Infants are at risk for developing serious complications from whooping cough, including pneumonia , seizures, brain damage, and death.

There are a number of vaccines that you need to keep up to date for both your own health and to protect the newborn in your life. Some – like this year's flu shot or COVID-19 booster – may be fresh in your memory. But you may not know your status when it comes to others, like the MMR vaccine.

Ask your primary healthcare provider to check your records. They can make recommendations (whether or not your vaccination status is on record) and answer your questions about any vaccines you may need.

Here are the other vaccines you'll want to make sure are current:

The flu (influenza) vaccine

The flu vaccine is reformulated each year to protect against the strains of influenza virus considered the most likely to be prevalent that year.

Recommended for: All adults (and children 6 months and older), every year. Get the flu vaccine as soon as it's available, usually in September or October. It's especially important for pregnant women and anyone who lives with or cares for babies under 6 months old, who are too young to get vaccinated themselves. Get your flu shot at least 2 weeks before meeting the baby – it takes about 2 weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination.

Why: Children younger than 5 years old – and especially those younger than 2 – are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu. These include pneumonia, dehydration , sinus problems and ear infections , worsening of medical problems such as heart disease or asthma , and even death. Babies under 6 months old can't get vaccinated for protection.

The COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine not only helps protect you from serious complications of a COVID infection, it also helps prevent the spread of the virus.

Recommended for: Everyone age 5 and up in the U.S. Boosters are available for everyone age 18 and older. Get your COVID vaccine or booster at least two weeks before you come in contact with the baby.

Why: Babies are not yet eligible for COVID vaccination, so it's important that everyone who comes in contact with them is fully vaccinated. That means they've had their initial vaccine series and, if eligible, their booster shot.

Even though babies and children generally have less severe symptoms than older adults, they can still become very ill and be hospitalized with COVID. That's  more likely if they have other conditions, such as congenital heart disease or asthma.

The MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). You may need one or two doses.

Recommended for: Anyone born after 1957 who may not have gotten the vaccine as a child or hasn't had a positive result on a blood test to screen for rubella immunity. (If you were born before 1957, you're considered immune and don't need the vaccine.) You may also need a booster shot if you're traveling overseas or work in healthcare. Get your vaccine at least two weeks before you come in contact with the baby.

Why: Babies and pregnant moms can't be vaccinated, and measles, mumps, and rubella are very contagious. Also, your protection from the MMR vaccine wanes over time. While mumps and rubella aren't common in the United States today, there are measles outbreaks from time to time. Measles can lead to pneumonia and other serious consequences in infants and young children.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine (Shingles)

The herpes zoster vaccine protects against shingles, a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus . Anyone who had chickenpox can get shingles, though the virus (which has been dormant in your body) usually reactivates when you're older.

Recommended for : Everyone age 50 or older, whether or not you've had chickenpox or shingles. You'll need two doses of the vaccine, the second dose 2 to 6 months after the first dose.

You can see a new baby right after having the shingles vaccine, as long as you don't have a shingles rash that hasn't formed a crust yet. (It's only contagious when you have the blister rash.)

Why: People with shingles can spread chickenpox, which can be serious for infants. Babies can't be vaccinated against it until their first birthday.

Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against bacteria that causes serious infections, such as ear infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections.

Recommended for: Everyone age 65 or older, those with a serious health problem, smokers, and those with spleen damage or removal. Adults over 65 should get one of each type of pneumococcal vaccine: the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). For most adults, they're given one year apart, beginning at or after 65 years of age. (Some adults, such as those with certain medical conditions, may need a different schedule and/or additional vaccines.) Get your vaccine two weeks or more before you see the new baby.

Why: Infants and children younger than 5 years – along with older adults – are most vulnerable to pneumococcus bacteria. Babies can't receive the vaccination until they're 2 months old.

If you're a grandparent preparing for a new arrival, good for you for being diligent about your vaccines! You might also pick up some tips from our articles on 10 ways to be a fabulous grandparent and the top 7 tips for new and expecting grandparents .

Learn more:

• Top tips for dads on bonding with your baby
• Preparing your child for a new sibling

Was this article helpful?

10 ways to be a fabulous grandparent

Tips for new and expecting grandparents

Getting the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy

The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

AAP. 2021. Children and COVID-19: State-level data report. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/ Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Flu & young children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/children.htm Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: What everyone should know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/ Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021.  People at high risk for flu complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Pertussis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pert.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2020. Pneumococcal vaccine timing for adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/downloads/pneumo-vaccine-timing.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Pneumonia can be prevented – vaccines can help. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/prevention.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Shingles (Herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/shingles/index.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Vaccines for family and caregivers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/family-caregivers.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2019. What vaccines are recommended for you. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

CDC. 2021. Whooping cough vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/vaccines.html Opens a new window [Accessed December 2021]

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.cls-1{fill:#2e64ab;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;} CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog

New parents and grandparents—which vaccines do you need.

Oct 21, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff

All these people want to meet your newborn—have they gotten the necessary vaccinations to protect your baby?

Diapers, baby clothes, the crib. All of these are essentials on every expectant parent's checklist.

What might be forgotten in the anticipation of a newborn is one of the most important items: vaccines for the parents, grandparents, and anyone else in the family who plans to spend time with the new bundle of joy.

To sort out which vaccines to get—and when—we talked to pediatrician  Dr. Santhosh Nadipuram .

Which vaccines do you recommend for patients planning on starting a family?

First, aspiring parents should be up-to-date on all their childhood vaccines.

Rubella is one of the most important for a mother who wishes to become pregnant, because congenital rubella infection can cause many problems with a growing baby. This vaccine should be given before getting pregnant, as it is a live-virus vaccine and shouldn’t be given to pregnant women.

"The antibodies generated by the flu shot will also circulate to the baby during pregnancy and protect the baby in early life."

Which vaccines do you recommend during pregnancy?

I recommend two vaccines for pregnant parents: The first is the flu vaccine, and the second is pertussis (whooping cough).

The flu vaccine should be given to expecting parents as soon possible (especially for mom, as the flu can cause worse complications during pregnancy).

The antibodies generated by the flu shot will also circulate to the baby during pregnancy and protect the baby in early life. This is really important since the baby can’t get the flu shot before they are 6 months old, and we don’t have very effective treatments to care for those babies who become very ill with the flu.

The second vaccine is pertussis (whooping cough), which comes with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines in a formulation called Tdap.

This vaccine should be given in the 3rd trimester to a pregnant mother in order to protect mom and generate antibodies which will circulate to the growing baby.

Whooping cough is a very dangerous infection for a young baby because children under the age of 3 months are most vulnerable to death from this illness.

As with the flu, when little babies become very sick with whooping cough, we have a limited number of treatments to get them better—and they can be invasive. We have had outbreaks of pertussis here in California which resulted in many hospitalizations and infant deaths.

Read: Flu: When to Go to the ER

Do you recommend these same vaccines for grandparents and other family members who will be in close contact with the newborn?

I do. All close contacts to the newborn should be vaccinated with the annual influenza vaccine at least 2 weeks before meeting the baby.

They should also have had Tdap in the last 10 years. If they have not received that vaccine, they should get a Tdap booster at least 2 weeks before meeting the baby.

Read: How to Prepare for Flu Season: A Family Guide

What do you suggest expecting parents do if family members are hesitant—or outright refuse—to get vaccinated?

I personally take a strong stance—if a family member is not willing to get vaccinated, I don’t let them near my children until my kids have been adequately vaccinated and are a bit older (6 months old or so).

The issue of vaccines should be brought up the same way that an expecting parent speaks to family members about other illnesses.

Just as you would ask them to wash their hands, check themselves for signs/symptoms of illness (such as runny nose, cough, fever, etc.), anyone wanting to be close to a newborn should be willing to vaccinate themselves against infections that could seriously harm the baby.

Read: Do I Really Need a Flu Shot?

Understandably, these can all be difficult subjects to broach, but this talk should be had as early as possible. They should first talk about wanting to keep the baby safe and healthy. It should be emphasized that vaccination does work to reduce death and complications from illness (even if they don’t prevent the illness entirely).

Second, parents can tell loved ones that these vaccines (flu shot and Tdap) are proven safe for all recipients, unless there has been a severe reaction in the past. It does help from time to time to bring in a physician or expert to help with this conversation. On occasion, I have made progress with reluctant family members when the expectant parents themselves have been unable to convince grandparents or aunts and uncles to get vaccinated.

If precautions are followed, the vast majority of serious infections for newborns can be prevented.

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'My mother-in-law wants to see my newborn baby - but doesn't want me there'

A new mum has been left furious about her mother-in-law's demand to see her baby grandchild - because the grandma doesn't want her there. The older relative urged her son to bring his new daughter over for a visit, despite living four hours away.

The recovering mum has always struggled to form a bond with her mother-in-law, who has been frosty towards her all throughout her relationship. But the grandmother wanted to step up when she found out about the pregnancy.

She showered the expectant woman with gifts and made it clear she wanted to be a big part of her granddaughter's life. The mum was thrilled, and wondered if the baby might help her own relationship with her mother-in-law.

But when the grandma requested the newborn be brought out to visit her - without the mother coming along - she knew the issues were still there, The Mirror reports.

Posting about the situation on Reddit , she wrote: "I'm going to start this by saying that I have never been on good terms with my husband's mum. She first and foremost never approved of me as a wife and daughter-in-law.

We didn't fight, we just kept our distance and things got a lot more peaceful when my husband and I moved away. Once she heard I was pregnant, she still kept her distance but sent stuff and gifts saying she was intending on having a relationship with her granddaughter.

"I had no issues with it, in fact, I supported this decision and thought maybe my daughter will help soothe things between me and her grandma. My daughter is 6 weeks old.

"Her grandma already saw her via video calls but lately, she has been pressuring my husband to bring our daughter to her. She lives four hours away and she told him she didn't want me to come along."

The new mum refused point blank, because she can't have her young daughter so far away from her for so long, as the baby needs her. But her husband was furious and took his mother's side.

The woman continued: "My initial response was no because at this age my daughter can not go anywhere without me. My husband tried to argue saying if it's about feeding then he'll get formula but I told him it's not about that.

"He got mad at me and said that I'm being unreasonable to keep our daughter away from her grandma. I told him our daughter is still too young to travel. He asked me to explain how many 'years' his mum has to wait and then said it was no huge deal but I'm making it that way.

"I said that his mum is the one making this a huge deal by telling me to not come and let my daughter go alone. He laughed sarcastically and said that he's the other parent and so I shouldn't feel like she's going alone.

"I don't know, I just felt uneasy being hours away from my daughter for an entire weekend. He told me I was being overly possessive and paranoid. We had an argument and I refused to let him take her."

The new mum revealed that her refusal led to her husband getting his family to start calling her to try and talk her round. Questioning her decision, she asked Reddit if she was out of line "for refusing and rejecting the whole idea?"

Many parents rallied behind the new mum, saying that the mother-in-law should never have suggested a visit without the parent - and suggesting it's a significant red flag that she did. One user replied: "OP is a package deal with her child, not just an incubator."

Another said: "I have a six-week old and I would never agree to this. Why can't she come to visit you? And her telling your husband you can't come is ridiculous. Because of that alone, she wouldn't be seeing my baby."

A third fuming user commented: "I came into this thinking OP just didn't want to see MIL because of their beef but not only does she [MIL] expect a month old infant to travel to her but also has the audacity to say their mother can't come along."

Another mother said: "I would NEVER let a six-week-old go for a weekend without me. My husband would never suggest such a thing. And if grandma can't be nice to you, grandma doesn't need to be involved with your child.

"Evidently, you seriously have a husband problem. He's insisting on something that you've said you're not comfortable with and then involved his family to bully you. It might be time to go stay with your family and get into couple's counselling to see if you even want to save this relationship."

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Boppy’s recalled infant lounger is now linked to at least 10 deaths

This article is part of “Death by Delay,” a  series  on how consumer product hazards have cost lives.

The Boppy Newborn Lounger, a popular infant pillow recalled nearly two years ago, has now been linked to at least 10 babies’ deaths since 2015, federal regulators said Tuesday.

More than 3 million Boppy loungers were recalled in September 2021 after the Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of babies’ suffocating in them. At the time, Boppy’s padded cushion was associated with eight deaths, which occurred from December 2015 to June 2020. 

Two more infants died in the months following the 2021 recall, the CPSC said in an announcement reissuing the recall Tuesday. In the announcement, the CPSC and The Boppy Company urged consumers to stop using the product and to contact Boppy for a refund . 

CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said in an interview that parents whose children died in Boppy loungers thought their babies were safe — “and then the worst happens.” 

“It’s too easy with a product like this for the child to fall asleep in it and put the child at risk,” he added.

Loungers, which are supposed to be used when babies are awake and supervised, can put infants at risk of suffocation or asphyxiation in a matter of minutes, especially if they fall asleep, researchers have found. 

The newly disclosed deaths include one from October 2021, in which an infant was reportedly placed in a Boppy lounger to sleep and then rolled underneath a nearby adult pillow, dying of positional asphyxia. The other newly announced death occurred in November 2021, when an infant was placed on a Boppy lounger in bed with a parent; the cause of death was not determined.

An NBC News investigation last month found that baby loungers from Boppy and other brands were linked to more than twice as many deaths as federal regulators had previously announced.

In total, NBC News found that at least 25 babies had died in incidents involving Boppy and other loungers since December 2015, according to CPSC data, autopsy reports, court documents and reports from consumers and local authorities.

The two new deaths federal regulators announced Tuesday did not appear to be among the 25 previously counted by NBC News.

Michael Trunk, a Philadelphia-based attorney who represents two families whose infants died in Boppy loungers — a 4-day-old girl and a 1-week-old boy — said the need for The Boppy Company to reissue its recall showed it was not effective the first time.

“I think it underscores the fact that the public hasn’t gotten the message,” said Trunk, a partner at Kline & Specter, PC. “Two more babies have died now. It’s going to keep on happening.”

Boppy released a statement Tuesday encouraging consumers to participate in the recall. “Our hearts hurt for anyone who has lost a child,” said Amy St. Germain, a company spokesperson.

St. Germain added that consumers should follow experts’ guidelines for safe sleep practices , which recommend that babies be put to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface without loose blankets, pillows, or other soft bedding. 

The CPSC also sent a letter Tuesday urging Facebook’s parent company, Meta, to take stronger action to stop illegal secondhand sales of the Boppy lounger on Facebook Marketplace. The agency called it a “particularly egregious example” of a recalled product’s being unlawfully sold, despite repeated requests from the CPSC and Boppy for such listings to be removed. 

Over the past year, the CPSC has asked Meta to remove listings for Boppy loungers about a thousand times per month on average, the letter said. 

“Meta can and should be doing much more to save lives,” CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. said in a statement.

Meta said in a statement that the company regularly reviews its policies and enforcement. The company has previously said Facebook Marketplace’s policies prohibit the sale of recalled items. 

“When we find listings that violate our rules, we remove them,” Meta previously said.

Consumer safety advocates have told NBC News that it is more difficult to flag recalled goods on Facebook Marketplace than on other online resale platforms, such as Craigslist and eBay. Facebook requires users to choose a specific reason for reporting posts for removal, but there is no option that would clearly fit an item that has been recalled. 

Loungers come in various shapes and sizes. Boppy loungers are round, with a shallow indentation in the middle; they are distinct from the company’s popular U-shaped nursing pillow. Other companies make loungers with rectangular or oval pads surrounded by raised perimeters.

A study commissioned by the CPSC that included multiple brands of loungers and other infant pillow products found that many babies who died suffocated after having rolled over or turned their faces against loungers’ fabric-covered surfaces. Others died from positional asphyxia after their breathing was obstructed when they slouched forward or arched backward. Babies can also suffocate after having rolled off loungers onto other surfaces. 

Manufacturers say their loungers are safe if they are used for babies who are awake and supervised. Boppy previously said in a statement that its lounger was never marketed for sleep and that the product included warnings against unsupervised use. 

But for years, images of babies sleeping in loungers have circulated on social media. And some other brands of loungers were once explicitly marketed for co-sleeping. 

At the time of the 2021 Boppy recall, CPSC staff members wanted to consider sweeping federal regulation of infant loungers and other pillow-like infant products, NBC News has reported , based on interviews with current and former agency employees and consumer advocates.

But one day after the recall was announced, the CPSC’s two Republican commissioners — who at the time held a majority — scrapped that more comprehensive action and instructed the agency to help develop voluntary safety standards, instead. 

Other loungers that may pose a similar risk to the Boppy, according to many consumer advocates and infant safety experts, are still available for sale. 

The CPSC is expected to consider new regulations for infant loungers in coming weeks, two agency employees said.

Suzy Khimm is a national investigative reporter for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children.

Airline allowing women to pick seats by other female travelers

(CNN) - An airline is trying to help women feel more comfortable on its planes.

Low-cost carrier IndiGo Airlines has launched a feature that allows female passengers to see where other women are sitting when selecting their seats.

The option is available to women checking in online -- whether they are traveling solo or as part of a family booking.

IndiGo hasn’t specified why it launched this feature, but assaults against women and children during commercial flights are reported regularly all over the world.

In the U.S., the FBI opened 96 in-flight sexual assault cases last year.

Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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