Here's why you shouldn't kiss a newborn Baby on the mouth

One mom pleads, “Please don’t kiss my newborn baby on the mouth.” Here’s why you should automatically submit to her request.

What can you read in this article?

• Why you shouldn’t kiss a newborn baby on the mouth
• Oral herpes and other infections your baby can catch from getting kissed

“Please don’t kiss my newborn baby on the mouth.”

“Mmmmwah” said an auntie as she kissed my child when he was just two weeks old, smack-bang on his lips. “Oh he’s so adorable — I just want to take a bite out of him and cover him in kisses,” she said.

I was a first-time mom then, still in the daze that first-time motherhood imparts, and unsure of what was right and what was wrong when it came to parenting.

So when my newborn got this sloppy kiss, I was very uncomfortable about it, but wasn’t confident enough to tell the lady, “please don’t kiss my baby on the mouth” — which I would say to her in a heartbeat if she did it again now (politely, of course).

It’s not about being rude, or over-protective of my child. There is a very valid reason as to why people (including a baby’s own parents!) should not be kissing babies on their lips, or anywhere on their faces for that matter, as I have now learned — and it’s all to do with the transmission of germs.

A newborn’s immune system is weak. It’s still developing and will continue to do so for years.

At some point down the line, a little one’s immune system will be strong enough to deal with a wide range of viruses and bacteria. But this is not the case when he is still an infant and even common germs entering his system could have disastrous repercussions on his health.

If you think we’re just being nitpicky, think again. Here are some of the diseases that your newborn can catch just from a kiss on the mouth.

Common conditions that can be passed to babies from kissing

• Cold Sores

Also referred to fever blisters or oral herpes, your baby can be afflicted with this condition when kissed by an adult who has it. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1). It may start off as a small blister around the lips or mouth, but it can spread to other parts of the face as well, such as the nose, cheeks, and chin.

While it’s less serious for adults, cold sores can lead to fever, rashes, and for babies 6 months and under, health complications that require immediate medical attention.

Take the case of British mum Claire Henderson whose newborn girl was kissed on the mouth by someone who was also the carrier of the herpes virus (HSV-1). The tiny baby contracted oral herpes, which can be transmitted to another person via saliva — and had to be hospitalized for several days before, thankfully, she recovered.

The scary thing is this could happen to any baby, as the herpes virus is often commonly present in adults. For this reason, kissing the baby on the mouth (and even on other parts of their body, like their hands) should be completely avoided if the person doing so has a cold sore.

• Respiratory Illness Due to Exposure to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

This kind of virus leads to a condition where a baby’s lungs get infected, making it difficult for your newborn to breathe. The size of baby’s air tubes for breathing are tiny and thin, so inflammation caused by infection can prove dangerous, especially in the case of premature babies who already have a much weaker immune system than their peers born at term.

RSV is also highly contagious so it’s possible that it can be passed on if you kiss a baby on the mouth.

• Allergies

You don’t have core sores and you’re not feeling sick. Do you think you’re in the clear of giving your baby a big kiss on the lips? Have you considered that the product your using on your face or the food you consumed may be harmful for your newborn?

Your baby may have a food allergy that you don’t know of (because it’s too soon to test). A lot of people are unaware that there is gluten present in their lipstick, which may be harmful for a baby who has celiac disease.

Pieces of food you have consumed could still be lingering in your mouth and you wouldn’t want to transfer that to your baby.

• Heightened Risk of Cancer Due to Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

At the same time, some skincare products are known to contain parabens, formaldehyde, artificial colors, and much more. These chemicals are considered to be endocrine interrupters and are associated with risks of cancer.

• ‘Kissing Disease’

Are you familiar with the term “kissing disease?” It’s a nickname given to ‘mononucleosis’, an infection that is passed through saliva, often through kissing.

While it’s more common among teenagers and adults, it can also affect infants which can cause colds, fever, and serious respiratory and neurological complications.

• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

If you think letting your toddler kiss your newborn baby on the mouth is harmless, think again. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious condition that is fairly common in children, especially those with a weak immune system. It can be spread through actions of close contact, which includes kissing.

Symptoms of HFMD include sore throat, fever, and rashes. Complications with this disease are rare, but serious, including inflammation of the brain.

• Weakened immune system

Finally, one of the main reasons why babies should not be kissed on the mouth is because their immune system is not yet strong enough to fight different kinds of viruses and bacteria.

While their gut bacteria are still developing during the first few months, babies are vulnerable to illnesses. Aside from having a weak immune system, our infants also may not have vaccines they need to protect their bodies from infection.  So what could be just a simple cold for us adults could mean something serious and put our newborn’s health at risk. Sometimes, we are even unaware that we are passing on a virus to our baby.

It is for this reason that we are so protective of babies, especially newborns and avoid exposing them to different germs, virus and bacteria. Imagine how much bacteria can be transferred to your baby from something so up close like a kiss?

READ MORE: 

Neonatal Leukemia: Everything you need to know about this cancer that can afflict newborns

1-taong gulang, nagkaroon ng herpes dahil sa halik

Parents’ Guide: 17 things na hindi dapat gawin sa newborn baby

So here’s my plea to you, if you can’t resist kissing little ones on the mouth or their faces.

So here’s my plea to you, if you can’t resist kissing little ones on the mouth or their faces.

I know you do it purely out of love and a genuine fondness for babies. But please remember that a baby’s immune system is still so fragile, and your kiss could be the kiss of death.

I know and love that you love babies, and I know that they are just so irresistibly cute and your own instincts are screaming out that you kiss and cuddle him now.

I also understand that you really want to give him a cuddle. But instead of just grabbing him out of his mom’s hands, why not ask her first? And do remember to wash or sanitize your hands before you go in for that hug.

A child has the right to good health. And parents have the right of giving their babies the best chance at life and protect them in any way they think is right. It’s their responsibility really, and no way should they feel guilty for being cautious about things that could affect their child’s health and life.

So if a parent ever tells you not to kiss their baby, know that they do this with their baby’s best interests at heart. I know I speak for many moms and dads when I say, “I hope you understand”.

How do you handle relatives or friends who kiss your baby on the mouth or face? Do you allow them to do this or do you tell them not to? Let us know in the comments section.

Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore

Additional information by Camille Eusebio

Source:

Parenting Firstcry,

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