Kissing grandchildren?

*Grandparent

VioletSky

Phillipa babies put fret in their mouths, they touch their heads and pit fingers in mouths...

This is why you also wash your hands before holding a baby and don't let them put their hands in your mouth.

You can transfer 2 million germs kissing a little foot

Give me strength ?

My daughter had a thing about sucking her nans pointy chin.
Is that a danger Zone ?

The whole point of this thread has nothing to do with giving a baby herpes. Herpes isn't mentioned in the OP. The whole point of this thread was to discuss whether or not we agree that only the parents of a 5 month old, should be able to kiss the child.

Some agree and some don't.

1) if she had a Coldsore, yes.

2) I don't think you can get herpes from a chin.

That's the entire point of the thread.

RSV and Herpes are something you are warned about when you have a baby and kissing is a way to pass these viruses to babies.

It's not about agreeing.
The NHS, their guidelines and their staff are warning, advising new parents against kissing babies because they are on the rise.

Give me strength ?

Yes, science is hard, isn’t it?

Especially when it gets in the way of what someone wants.

Why so snarky about VS pointing out reliable science? Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it untrue.

Ailidh

I'm still giggling at the harpies in the carpet ??

that's what makes communing with the carpet so attractive, they can't resist the harpies' singing.
we are too old to hear it, ears not attuned.

VioletSky

But not 2 million germs in a quick transferral

Your toilet seat has less germs than your mouth

Also harpies doesn't live in the carpet

I sometimes think I've seen some evidence of harpies on GN. Might be wrong though.

Baggytrazzas

As a mother of 5, that laugh was dangerous lol

now i understand MN

Baggytrazzas

VioletSky

But not 2 million germs in a quick transferral

Your toilet seat has less germs than your mouth

Also harpies doesn't live in the carpet

I sometimes think I've seen some evidence of harpies on GN. Might be wrong though.

Oh, I don't think you're wrong at all...

Blondiescot

As a retired microbiologist, I know a bit about “germs”. While it is true that there are a lot in the mouth, most don’t live elsewhere in or on the body. Kissing a baby on top of the head or on another part of the body apart from face is very unlikely to transfer Herpes, though advice to avoid kissing young babies is valid.

Callistemon - Herpes can survive for a short time (a few hours) on hard, inanimate objects, theoretically, a toddler with a cold sore could infect a toy and transfer to 6 month old who puts everything in their mouth. Fortunately by that age they are less vulnerable to severe infection. PoppyBlue and Hithere - toddlers under 2 can’t understand logical explanations of how they should avoid making their baby brother/sister sick. Some siblings are less than 2 years apart and it’s not practical to keep isolated from each other.

Since science has been mentioned on this thread, it was incorrectly stated upthread that a baby’s immune system doesn’t develop till after weaning. The immune system starts to develop immediately after birth though isn’t fully developed for about 6 months. It’s sufficiently developed for current immunisations to start at 2 months. If the baby couldn’t respond and produce own antibodies, there would be no point in giving vaccines so young.

Finally, science and common sense!

My DD was 3 so I can't compare the under 2 thing.

Yes science. Like the NHS. Medical advise. Which is exactly what new parents are being advised. You are literally listening to science. Like medication and vaccines yet when you have a baby, every Tom, Dick and Harry have an opinion.

New parents are listening to scientific based research from the NHS.

I was hoping you'd be along Farmor15! science and common sense indeed Blondiescot!

The only NHS guidelines I've seen are about not kissing babies if you have herpes, or an open lesion on your face.

That was always the case.

I stand corrected.

Oh, and thought it was such an interesting thing to have learned

?

Ay?

A baby has it's mother immunity against illness until 2 months (min) as it's only tempary, which is why babies have their 1st vaccines at 8 weeks.
Breastfeeding I think is longer as the colostrum?

From 6 months, their immune system is stronger which is why weaning is advised.

You're advised to wash your hands and be careful from day dot because there's no immune system. OPs grandchild is 5 months which is still under the guidelines.

Please don't think you're the only one educated in this.

I'm not educated in any of this, and it doesn't apply to me, thankfully!

Just don't kiss a baby. That's honestly all this about.

Can't say I'm ever tempted to.

That's absolutely good to hear

I'm sure babies are probably thinking the same thing.