The situation is simple. A brand newborn baby hasn’t been exposed to ANYTHING out in the big wide world yet. Not greasy hands, nor bacteria from elevator buttons, lazily washed hands after a toilet visit or a thoughtless wipe of the nose. As their mother you should feel entirely free to insist all visitors wash their hands thoroughly before picking up or touching your baby. This includes family, friends and especially medical staff. I asked staff on two occasions to wash their hands before touching our twins. One replied “Oh I used the gel outside earlier” and then thought better of it and washed his hands anyway without further comment.

There is one thing you are the ABSOLUTE guardian of and that is you and your baby’s welfare. If you feel at any time that you are not comfortable with any situation be it the way a staffer is handling your baby or a visitor who has a cough, speak up immediately. It’s not worth letting it fly around as an uneasy feeling. Act on it and feel better for it.