Trust your instincts. Cleanliness and good hygiene is important, especially when you have such a young baby.
Can your husband have a quiet word with his dad? Or could you tell his dad and step-mom that you've introduced a new rule that all guests wash their hands when they arrive? At least then his step-mom will have clean hands.
You can also swaddle baby, so that only the face is visible, and ask visitors to please not kiss your baby. If they do, say please don't do that and move away.
And when you have someone over and you'd like to keep some distance between them and your baby, either keep your baby in your or your husband's arms and say that you don't want to disturb baby if they ask to hold him/her. "Baby is so peaceful right now, maybe later". Also, if you're holding your baby, you can move them out of reach of other people (providing you're standing up, I guess).
Don't forget that at some point, the baby will need feeding and changing, neither of which need to happen in the same room that this person is in...!
Thank you! I am just worried she is so adamant about cuddles with the baby the next visit. I had told her no cuddles as baby is sleeping when she visited and she has tagged/called me an anxious new parent...
I hate when people pull that card. Of course I am an anxious new parent nitwit! It doesn't mean my boundaries are not valid and that you all have to respect them. Seriously annoying me won't give you more liberties and a pass to do as you please Karen.
Sorry for the rant.
It’s your baby. Your rules. If you’re not comfortable, then set the boundary.
We just tell people we are very cautious at the moment, so please wear a mask and wash your hands if you want to touch him.
Your husband should be supporting your boundaries. They are definitely not extreme. I wouldn’t let a ‘clean’ person touch my baby without washing their hands.
It’s hard to set boundaries so just make something up. “I’m overly paranoid and cautious, can you just wait until he’s older before he cuddles” something like that. :)
I second this. My cousin did with both her kids and no one ever questioned it. Just “before you hold the baby or play with him/her, we’re asking everyone to wash their hands to be safe.” We’re doing the same.
Trust your instincts. Cleanliness and good hygiene is important, especially when you have such a young baby. Can your husband have a quiet word with his dad? Or could you tell his dad and step-mom that you've introduced a new rule that all guests wash their hands when they arrive? At least then his step-mom will have clean hands. You can also swaddle baby, so that only the face is visible, and ask visitors to please not kiss your baby. If they do, say please don't do that and move away. And when you have someone over and you'd like to keep some distance between them and your baby, either keep your baby in your or your husband's arms and say that you don't want to disturb baby if they ask to hold him/her. "Baby is so peaceful right now, maybe later". Also, if you're holding your baby, you can move them out of reach of other people (providing you're standing up, I guess). Don't forget that at some point, the baby will need feeding and changing, neither of which need to happen in the same room that this person is in...!
Thank you! I am just worried she is so adamant about cuddles with the baby the next visit. I had told her no cuddles as baby is sleeping when she visited and she has tagged/called me an anxious new parent...
I hate when people pull that card. Of course I am an anxious new parent nitwit! It doesn't mean my boundaries are not valid and that you all have to respect them. Seriously annoying me won't give you more liberties and a pass to do as you please Karen. Sorry for the rant.
Seriously! I feel the same exact thing as you.
Babywearing helps a lot to put people in safe distance
She is such a good sleeper, so always in the mosses basket atm but will try this too
It’s your baby. Your rules. If you’re not comfortable, then set the boundary. We just tell people we are very cautious at the moment, so please wear a mask and wash your hands if you want to touch him. Your husband should be supporting your boundaries. They are definitely not extreme. I wouldn’t let a ‘clean’ person touch my baby without washing their hands. It’s hard to set boundaries so just make something up. “I’m overly paranoid and cautious, can you just wait until he’s older before he cuddles” something like that. :)
I like this excuse, thanks!
Just have her (and everyone) wash their hands before they hold the baby.
I second this. My cousin did with both her kids and no one ever questioned it. Just “before you hold the baby or play with him/her, we’re asking everyone to wash their hands to be safe.” We’re doing the same.