Pediatric Nurse Reminds Newborn Visitors to Follow This One Rule

There’s nothing more exciting than getting the call that baby has arrived. But before you rush to meet baby for the first time, there are a few etiquette things to keep in mind. The first among them—don’t kiss baby.

Labor and delivery nurse, Lauren @nurse__lulu, recently went viral after reminding all newborn newcomers just how important it is to keep your lips to yourself. “Something that drives me absolutely nuts as a labor and delivery nurse is when I see the family come in and kiss the newborn babies,” she says. “Please don’t do it.”

At this point, it may seem that not kissing baby is common sense, but there are still several people who seemingly just can’t resist the urge. “I can see it coming with grandmas across the way. She’s got that baby in her crosshairs like she’s a freaking fighter pilot. Target acquired. That’s a negative ghostrider. That pattern is full simmer down,” she jokes. “Put those lethal lips away. Do not kiss that baby.”

Jokes asid, your first interactions with a newborn can make a big impact on baby and your relationship with baby’s parents. “I don’t think a lot of people realize that (kissing) can cause a lot of harm to a baby,” she says. “It can kill a baby. It can kill your relationship with their parents if you cannot keep your mouth off their baby. Those new parents might be coming after you and that’s valid.”

Lauren emphasizes that there are many more ways to show baby you love them than by kissing them. “Babies do not need to be kissed by you to know they are loved,” she says. “You can hold them, you can snuggle them, just keep your lips off their face, off their hands.”

The sentiment is a simple enough one but many people echoed in the comments how seemingly hard it had been for them to keep visitors in check. “Even telling my in laws to wash their hands caused them to freak out and get mad,” wrote one parent. “It gives me such anxiety to think of everyone trying to kiss my babies I am not due til dec but that is cold and flu season,” wrote another. “I’m seriously going to need my nurse to be my advocate,” added a parent.

Many parents noted that they preferred not having visitors altogether those first few days. “I gave everyone the wrong induction date and went it when no one knew,” wrote one. “I’m just not going to tell anyone when I go into labor this time bc after 3 kids I KNOW how it’s going to go. I only enjoy visitors when they bring food, and most of the time they don’t,” wrote one parent. When asked in the comments how long before baby could be kissed, Lauren replied that people should wait at least 3 months, possibly longer during RSV, flu and cold season.

If you are eager to welcome baby into the world and be there to support the new parents, there are other ways that you can get involved. Check out this advice from real parents on what was and wasn’t helpful those first few days.