One of the most serious risks that come from kissing babies is the transfer of fever blisters, also known as cold sores. HSV 1 causes fever blisters to form around the baby's mouth and can spread to other areas of the body, even their brain.
RSV is spread through contact with contaminated respiratory droplets. Kissing, sharing drinks, or transferring things from mouth to mouth can transmit RSV.
It has long been regarded a sign of affection and a form of bonding. But research suggests kissing your baby on the lips can actually give them cavities. Finnish scientists warned just a peck, or a smooch, can spread harmful bacteria from parent to baby.
Usually, when a child starts associating kiss and hugs with romance, that is when they start discouraging their parents. For some children, this point comes in as early as three or four years, or as late as teenage.
During the first month of life, also ask visitors to avoid kissing around your infant's mouth and eye area.
Kissing someone else's baby exposes them to so much more than germs (though I will address that, too). During a baby's first year, but especially in the first three months of life, they are especially vulnerable to germs as their immune system is essentially non-existent yet.
Most babies' immune systems will be strong enough for kisses after 2 to 3 months. Until then, it's healthiest not to kiss the baby, painful though it may be. “The baby will need your kisses in a few months!”
Explicitly say “Please, don't kiss my baby”
If speaking to people directly about your concerns feels too daunting, you can send a mass email or text to the entire family explaining your policy and that, out of an abundance of caution, you are requesting people don't kiss your baby on the face.
It's not just because they're cute! Science says maternal biology drives mothers to kiss their babies as a way to protect their new immune system! Parents often describe themselves as “totally smitten” with their new little one.
Newborn babies have a weak immune system, which makes them easily prone to viral infections. The first month is pivotal, and therefore, it is best to prevent anyone from kissing the baby on the face (12).
It Boosts Their Immune System
This will make sense very shortly. As a mother kisses her baby, she will consume the harmful pathogens (AKA bacteria) that have been sitting on the baby's skin, ready to make its way into the baby's mouth.
In most cultures it is okay for parents to kiss their child on the lips when they are very young. It is believed that this act can help increase parent-child bonds. However, some families and cultures are very uncomfortable with parents' kissing children on the lips, discouraging the act completely.
KISS stands for Kinetic Imbalances due to Suboccipital Strain, in other words, disorders in the symmetrical development of the baby that arise as a result of vertebrae disorders. The early signs of a blockage in the vertebra are highly varied. Many, though not all, babies cry a lot, sleep badly and are easily startled.
First, wash the kissed area immediately with soap and water. There's no guarantee this will prevent infection, but it doesn't hurt to clean the area of contact, just in case. Next, monitor the baby closely for unusual behavior or symptoms. Call your doctor for professional advice as well.
While your baby's immune system can get a boost from kisses, if those kisses come from someone who isn't practicing proper hygiene, there are plenty of opportunities for germs to spread. This is particularly the case if your baby is under three months old, as that's when the immune starts to mature.
Newborn babies have a weak immune system, which makes them easily prone to viral infections. The first month is pivotal, and therefore, it is best to prevent anyone from kissing the baby on the face (12).
Humans, even newborns crave physical contact and are comforted by it. Whether they recognize a kiss as a special form of showing affection is irrelevant. They are comforted by it, and gradually learn that association.
Sometimes called stork bites or angel kisses, salmon patches are reddish or pink patches. They are often found above the hairline at the back of the neck, on the eyelids or between the eyes. These marks are caused by collections of capillary blood vessels close to the skin.
Maori people through history were very affectionate with children and many greet their children with lip kissing.
In short, yes: Babies do feel love. Even though it will be quite a while before they're able to verbalize their feelings, they can and do understand emotional attachment. Affection, for example can be felt.
Many pediatricians warn against strangers kissing babies due to their vulnerable immune systems, as infants are at particular risk of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), allergic reactions, fever blisters and foot and mouth disease.
It's not just because they're cute! Science says maternal biology drives mothers to kiss their babies as a way to protect their new immune system! Parents often describe themselves as “totally smitten” with their new little one.
Myth: Babies who have been breastfed are clingy.
All babies are different. Some are clingy and some are not, no matter how they are fed. Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brain.
In her book Inventing Baby Food: Taste, Health, and the Industrialization of the American Diet, Amy Bentley argues that distaste for public breastfeeding in the US began with the sexualization of female breasts in the 19th century and was accelerated by the rise in processed baby food occurring around the same time.
In addition, breastfeeding has been associated with improved mother-infant bonding [6,7]. For instance, early feeding interactions between mother and infant may result in more positive feeding experiences and produce greater maternal sensitivity and responsiveness to infant needs [8].