Visitor boundaries with newborn babies

As if enduring a pregnancy — and all the changes that come with it — was not overwhelming enough, bringing home a newborn can present its own set of worries and challenges.

At least one worry can be lessened by setting healthy boundaries for well-meaning visitors before the baby arrives. Having a newborn is an exciting time, but it's essential to curb your visitors’ excitement by being clear and detailed on the boundaries you have established.

“Parents should always be careful regarding visitors with a newborn during the first two months of life,” says Dr. Ahmad Bailony, department chief of pediatrics at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. “Babies do not form their blood-brain barrier for about two months, and so they are at risk for more serious infections until that point. Obviously, this doesn’t mean you cannot have anyone see your baby, but it does mean you should practice having visitors see them safely.”

Foresight, mindful planning and timely communication with your partner and support system can help with navigating visitation expectations, Dr. Bailony says. Here, he offers a few recommendations to protect the health of your vulnerable newborn baby:

1. Discuss your visitors’ current health.
While you can't control the exposure that is occurring outside of your home, you can regulate who's in close contact with your family. Having a respectful and transparent conversation about your visitors’ flu and COVID vaccination status can be reassuring. Additionally, before your visitors arrive, it's essential to feel comfortable asking if they have been in close contact with someone who has recently been sick or if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

If your visitors are feeling a bit under the weather, have been around others who are sick, or are not vaccinated, you may want to come up with other ways they can still be a part of the early stages of your baby’s life. Consider scheduling a virtual or outdoor visit while keeping a safe distance or keep them updated by regularly sharing photos and videos.

“Flu and COVID vaccination, hand-washing and having good ventilation, such as an outdoor environment, all help reduce the risk of a newborn getting sick,” Dr. Bailony says.

2. Limit your visitors.
Try limiting the number of visitors to those who can offer you the most support during the first few weeks and advise others that you are taking the recommended precautions for your family. While this significant time is meant for bonding with your newborn, there may not be time for daily chores and meal preparation. Having designated visitors who are able to take on these duties can make the early days and weeks in your new role much easier.

3. Take precautions.
Support your health and safety concerns with what you have available in your home. Have disposable masks accessible for visitors who may have recently been exposed to illness along with hand sanitizer and an area for all visitors to wash their hands often. As an added precaution, you can ask people to take an at-home COVID test before visiting.

“The good news is that serious infections in newborns are rare,” Dr. Bailony says. “However, we are still seeing children, including newborns, infected with COVID-19, flu and RSV. I would still take every precaution possible to lessen the chance a newborn gets sick, as newborns have weak and undeveloped immune systems. Of the children who get sick and require hospitalization, 50% will be within 1 year of age. So, the more steps taken to reduce risk of infection, the better.”

4. Prioritize your family.
Not everyone will understand why you are choosing to set boundaries with the visitors you welcome into your home. But it's important to remember why you're deciding to push back. Whether it's protecting your child — and yourself — from illness, respecting your baby’s sleep schedule, or honoring your personal need for self-care and rest, your mental and physical health should be a priority as you embark on this new parenthood journey.

For the news media: To speak to Dr. Bailony for an upcoming story, contact Erica Carlson, senior public relations specialist, at erica.carlson@sharp.com.