My two month old is about to be Christened this weekend. We are having a pretty big gathering for this, and I know everyone will want to hold her. However, she's recently gotten over being sick and I am trying to be very careful about germs, because of her young age. I've not been taking her out this past week, encouraging her to nap more, etc. I can't move the date of the Christening because we have relatives that have already flown in, but I would like to politely put a limit on her being passed from person to person. This is so hard...I know everyone wants to hold the baby at a Christening, and rightly so!!
Is it rude of me to gently discourage this, by saying that she's just gotten over being sick and the doctor would prefer her not be passed around to many people (that's a stretch, but I thought it sounded good)? Would you be insulted if I said that to you, or does it sound reasonable? As a first time mom I worry so much about her getting sick in her first few months.
2007-03-16 02:54:23 · 6 answers · asked by kath_08012 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Being sick is a part of a newborns life. Being exposed to germs helps to build their immune system and also helps them to fight off illnesses better when they are older. No one wants to see their baby sick but it is a part of their first years of life.
I think you would offend people if you stated that you didn't want everyone to hold her. It's a party for her and a lot may be meeting her for the first time so I could see some being upset. Also, even if they don't hold her but grab her foot, kiss/pinch her cheek, grab her hand etc. she will still be exposed to germs. Just being in the same room with a sick person could get anyone sick and it probably can't be avoided unless you put her in a bubble...
I would have hand sanitizer available and if someone wants to hold the baby pass them the hand sanitizer (you can get a pack of travel size bottles anywhere). You can even put some on every table and say "Help keep our baby cold free" or some cute saying. I am finding that more and more people are using hand sanitizer so that they don't spread germs and feel this would go over better than saying they can't hold her.
Just my advice :-) HTH!
2007-03-16 04:30:28 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with previous posters that providing hand sanitizer and asking guests to use it is a great alternative to denying your child the affection of people who love her and have put forth the energy to come see her. I'm from a HUGE loving family and there are always babys being passed around. The biggest result is that the kids in our family bond with their relatives at an early age. Based on my experience growing up in an affectionate family, yes, I would be offended if I'd traveled from out of town and wasn't allowed to hold the baby. I've never been upset about using hand sanitizer.
Whatever you decide, I hope you and your family enjoy your special celebration!
2007-03-18 18:41:24 · answer #2 · answered by Denise H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being sick and exposed to germs helps a child build up their immune system. You can't keep your child in a bubble. I let the family hold my son...andyone that was invited that wanted to hold him got too. My son got his share of colds, but now at 2-1/2 he is the one not getting sick. There was an outbreak of hand foot and mouth at his daycare...I thought he's get it, because he is always chewing his fingers due to teething...and he didn't get sick. The other kids just had strep throat and Scarlet fever...and out of 8 kinds my son was the only one not to get sick. Youwill insult a lot of people if you don't let them hold your baby
2007-03-16 04:43:12 · answer #3 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oooh hard one! I went through this at my daughters Christening. While it sounds resonable to me, a lot of people may get their felings hurt. I would put pump bottles of hand sanitizer in many places around the room where the gathering is. Tell people that she just got over being sick so they should use it so they don't catch anything .... sneaky but hey ... it works! Oh and Congrats!!!
2007-03-16 03:01:36 · answer #4 · answered by Just J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dad celebrated his 60th birthday just 1 week after I gave birth and the guests knew that there's a baby in the house but they all understood when my parents told them that the baby shouldn't be exposed to a lot of people to keep him from catching any virus/bugs. None of them got to hold the baby, only a handful were able to see him (not touch, no physical contact at all) and it all worked out fine. I didn't even get to enjoy the party because I couldn't risk myself catching any virus/bug/sickness as I was breastfeeding. Anyway, I'm sure your guests will understand and just tell them they can hold your precious angel when she turns 1! :)
2007-03-16 03:39:03 · answer #5 · answered by franceski 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think your excuse sounds good and your guests should understand and respect your decisions. i would not be insulted at all, i have 4 kids and i know what it's like.
2007-03-16 04:19:38 · answer #6 · answered by jane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋