When you have a new baby(preemie)how to tell them to wash there hands w/o being mean?

Question

I have a preemie.She is now 3 months old.She was only 3lb when born.Well anyone w/children knows that yo should wash your hands before making contact w/them.Well of course with a preemie you have to be way more careful.Well everyone thinks because my daughter is so big to be a preemie of 3 months that she has a regular immune system.Well she doesnt.I hate when people come in off the streets and touch her.I have asked them to wash thier hands but they act as if they forget the next time around.Now its pissing me off because if my child ends back in the hospital Im going to spaz.and another thing my childs father his sister keeps asking me when can she go out?Every other week.I have explained to her that she cant be out in the streets from house to house b/c she's a preemie and its RSV season.She keeps asking how to I handle these issues w/o being rude?

Answer 1

I used to hold my baby when I knew visitors were coming in and before I let then touch him I would sweetly say "oops, did u forget to was your hands?" Most people would do it right away. Or, you can automatically hand then a bottle of hand sanitizer when they walk over to her..this works well too. Some people just don't think and need to be "reminded" MANY times! Kudos to you for being a concerned mommy!

Answer 2

I went through this with my son and finally I made a sign to put on the door so they saw it before they even entered the house It simply said Please wash your hands upon entering and if you are sick don't bother knocking. We had a little table set up in the entry way with a bottle of hand sanitizer on it. As far as the taking the baby out just tell them you are doing what is best for your child and when the doctor says it is safe then you are ready to get her out and show her off. The big thing is a lot of people do not see just how serious RSV can be, but I also know my doctor told me to get my son out that being confined in the house was worse on him because he didn't get fresh air and there was more germs inside the house than outside. Good luck with the baby.

Answer 3

I had twin preemies and went through the same thing.
Simply explain to everyone up front that this is how it has to be for your daughters health and that there are no exceptions. Everytime they have contact with her, they have to wash their hand to protect your daughters immune system. The only time your daughter leaves your house is to go to scheduled doctors appointments, as per doctors orders, no exceptions. Tell them flat out, you are not being rude, but that you are being protective. It is in fact the others who are being rude and insensitive to you and the situation with their lack of understanding. Maybe make a sign and post it on the door and laminate, with peel and stick laminate, saying "Preemie inside, must wash hands" or something like that.

Answer 4

Don't worry about being rude!!!!! There are so many illnesses that you can get from other ppl whether they do it on purpose or not! Just flat out tell them that you would prefer if they didn't touch her b/c she has a weak immune system. Or you could offer them hand sanitizer or something if you think they are about to touch her. Or you could just bring it up in the conversation about it being RSV season and you don't want her to get sick.

And for the people who touch her anyway, be a little firmer. If they continue explain why you don't want them touching her and that you don't appreciate them doing it anyways.

Don't worry about the family at home. Just tell them that she will be able to go out soon enough.

I totally agree that your child is the most precious thing to you and don't let what other Pol think cloud your judgment on that!

Answer 5

You could try having some hand sanitizer around also. This way all they have to do is put the stuff in there hands and spread it around. You may also get some information from the baby's doctor or online about hand washing and preemie and print it out, so that they can read it for themselves.

Answer 6

my twins were preemies too.
on the phone before people would come over or they would just call to ask how we were I would say "oh they will be fine but the doctor said to be very careful about washing hands and not handing the baby over to people because of the risk of RSV which could be deadly to them for their first year. I know it is important- I just hope people don't think I'm neurotic or offended but ... you know new mother"

this conversation was a great way to preempt my request for washing hands and my- please don't pass them around.

good luck in stores. those people can be crazy.

Answer 7

Don't worry about being rude when it comes to protecting your child. Simply tell people that your baby is in a higher risk category because she was a preemie so they must wash there hands. Be concerned about her not anyones feelings

Answer 8

You simply say politely but very firmly. Please don't touch her until you have scrubbed you hands clean. She is a preemie and doesn't not have a strong immune system. If you are sick in any way please do NOT get to close to her at all. Practice it in a mirror until you feel you can do it with authority in your voice and memorize it so it becomes automatic. Mean it when you say it and be prepare to back it up and not be so polite if anyone chooses to ignore your wishes or trys to make excuses to get around them. Stick up for her. She can't stick up for herself yet. Good luck

Answer 9

With common courtesy you shouldn't have to but just do it.It will be you taking care of the sick baby not anyone else.Everyone should wash their hands and say their ABC's as washing them or it doesn't do any good anyway.This is the truth.I had to take a food management class.

Answer 10

Just tell them to wash there hands be honest. Your the one that has to take care of them if their sick. So just tell people if you want to touch or hold the baby then they must wash their hands.