Some new parents appreciate their loved ones showing affection to their baby, while others set boundaries against allowing anyone to kiss their child on the face. This has led a parenting expert to explain the reasons behind such strong stances. The Enchanted Nanny, who educates parents through social media, has emphasized the importance of refraining from kissing babies on the face or hands without parental consent. She highlights the risk of unknowingly transmitting illnesses to newborns, emphasizing that even without visible symptoms, one could carry harmful viruses.

According to her, the act of kissing a baby only benefits the person giving the kiss, not the baby. She advises against it and suggests opting for bonding through less risky gestures like nuzzling the baby’s feet. Concerns over potential infections have been echoed by a survey conducted by The Lullaby Trust, revealing that a significant number of new and expectant parents are unaware of the dangers of allowing friends and family to kiss their newborns.

Despite the risks, a majority of parents feel uncomfortable requesting visitors not to touch their babies, fearing offense or being labeled overprotective. The Lullaby Trust emphasizes that young babies have vulnerable immune systems, making them highly susceptible to infections. Jenny Ward, the charity’s chief executive, warns that seemingly mild illnesses in adults can pose life-threatening risks to babies.

To promote infection prevention, The Lullaby Trust advocates for adhering to the T-H-A-N-K-S guidelines, which stands for Think Hands And No KisseS. Jenny Ward stresses the importance of raising awareness about infection risks for babies and empowering parents to enforce safety measures by requesting compliance with the THANKS guidelines.