Our nanny has two small children...one school age and the other in pre-school who come to our house when she watches my two kids...my youngest is 4 months old. Her two daughters kiss my baby on the lips. My son has had our "no germ" and wash your hands around the baby drilled into him and told the two kids not to kiss our baby on the lips and the nanny has scolded him for it. One of the reasons I have the nanny rather than day care is so our baby isn't sharing germy toys and getting exposed to so many sick children that others bring in. On the other hand, babies need all of the love and affection they can get. I am not losing sleep over it and I'd rather have our baby kissed than not. Thought I would weigh in and get some thoughts.
?2009-07-24T13:40:41Z
Favorite Answer
If it were me, I'd just run a quick look over when they come in. Runny nose? No touching baby today. Dirty hands? Go wash them, please.
It doesn't have to be a big deal and it doesn't have to be all one way or the other.
Just give them a quick look when they come in the door and remember to be understanding.
There's not wanting your child to get sick and then there's wrapping him in cotton wool and bathing him in disinfectant!
A little kiss on the lips by a couple of kids will help his immune system. There aren't enough germs being spread for any colds etc. to be passed so any germs that are passed will be fought by the body! If the children who are kissing him have a cold or runny nose then yes I'd put my foot down... But otherwise let it go and relax!
I would have a sit down talk with your nanny and tell her that even though you want your baby to be very loved and kissed, but you just dont them kissed on the lips. And that he is very young and has not been exposed to enough germs yet. Ask her to talk to her daughters and tell them that they may kiss the baby, but they have to kiss them on the cheek rather than the lips.
Babies and children cannot be protected from germs in fact they will and could get them by just being in the same room by coughing and sneezing, although you could just talk to the nanny about it, but be careful she might be offended as well
Babies must be exposed to germs. You are compromising your baby's immune system by being overly careful. Sickness and germs (along with bumps and scratches) are part and parcel of life.