Re: New baby: asking relatives to use hand sanitizer???
Just read a recent article about a newborn baby who died after her mom kissed her. Mom had a virus (herpes simplex), which causes cold sores around the mouth. Mom was not aware that she had the virus and the baby got it through either the mom kissing her or feeding her. It’s tragic. Even parents can unknowingly hurt their children.
And the spread of viruses such as cold and flu can be prevent a great deal by simply washing your hands. Our hands come into contact with so many surfaces during the day. We’re unaware of what our hands might be carrying. To me, it’s not a big deal at all to wash your hands before holding an infant and I wouldn’t take it personally if I was asked to clean my hands. While it’s important to have some exposure to disease to build up one’s immune system throughout the growing years…the immune system of a newborn is much more fragile than that of an adult. While a common cold sore causing virus such herpes simplex might not kill an adult…it can be fatal for a newborn.
I do agree that cleanliness can be absurdly overdone to the point that it becomes not only an obsessive compulsive disorder but also a turn off. There should be a healthy balance with all things even cleanliness. BUT…when it comes to babies especially…better safe than sorry.