When you get home, friends and family will probably want to visit you and your little one. It is perfectly acceptable to limit visitors at first, to give your family time to settle in and get used to your new routine. It is quite common for doctors to recommend limiting visits when you bring your baby home, until the first round of immunisation⍰ is completed. 

When you feel ready to invite friends or family to visit you and your little one, you can take precautions to keep your baby safe and give you peace of mind. You can ask your visitors to take a shower before visiting and come directly from home (the outside world is filled with germs⍰ and pollution⍰), or to bring a set of freshly washed clothes to change into as soon as they arrive at your place. You can also ask them to leave their mobile phones at the entrance (since phones carry many germs), wash their hands for an extended time, tie up their hair, or wear a surgical mask. Even so, keeping the visit short and sweet in the first few months of your baby being home is recommended.

You might feel uneasy about visitors holding or touching your baby. If so, make your concerns known to them before they arrive. Most people will understand and respect your wishes and want to give you the best possible support. Preterm babies can be more sensitive to bright lights and loud noises. Limiting visitors can also prevent your baby from becoming overstimulated and help them adjust to their new environment more comfortably.

Finally, remember that it is okay to let your family and friends know that you are delaying visits if you need more time to settle in as a family. Your loved ones will understand your need for privacy and time to bond with your baby.

No smoking policy

Make sure that nobody smokes in the same house as your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke can affect lung development, especially in preterm babies, and increase their risk of lung infections. In case you or someone in your household smokes, they must wash their hands after smoking and always put on newly washed clothes. Exposure to smoking increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)⍰ and should clearly be avoided.

Reducing infection risk

Preterm or sick babies are more likely to get infections. Avoid contact with anyone who has a cold, flu⍰ or stomach upsets to protect your baby. Read more about how to recognise when your baby is unwell.