This World Patient Safety Day 2025 is dedicated to ensuring safe care for every newborn and child.

Counseling Families on Newborn Safety: Visitor Do’s and Don’ts

Nurses play a vital role in guiding families on newborn safety. In the first few months, infants are highly susceptible to infections , providing clear Do’s and Don’ts for visitors helps parents prevent infections and confidently set boundaries to protect their newborn.

✅ Do’s

  • Advise parents to limit the number of visitors, especially in the first 2–3 months.
  • Encourage parents to set clear rules with family members before visiting.
  • Remind parents to insist on proper hand  washing by visitors and, if possible, the removal of rings/jewelry.
  • Recommend that visitors wear masks when in close contact with the newborn.
  • Instruct parents to allow only healthy visitors (no fever, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, etc.).
  • Advice parents to ensure visitors always support the neck of the newborn while carrying them.

❌ Don’ts

  • Warn parents not to allow too many visitors too soon after delivery.
  • Advise parents not to permit kissing or close face contact with the newborn.
  • Emphasize that visitors with any illness must not meet the baby.
  • Remind parents that they should not feel pressured to justify their decisions; protecting the newborn’s health takes priority.
  • Advise parents to discourage visitors from touching the baby’s head, as the soft spot (fontanelle) is delicate.


Reference- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/new-parents-and-newborns-are-visitors-ok

Newborn Care Myths – Separating Fact from Fiction

Many newborn care practices are influenced by culture and family advice. Nurses should acknowledge parents’ beliefs respectfully, then guide them towards safe, evidence-based care.

  • Myth
  • Newborn must be bathed immediately after birth.
  • Sugar water/plain water is needed.
  • Breastfeeding should be stopped if the mother is ill.
  • Vigorous oil massage or head pressing shapes the baby’s head.
  • Smoke/incense/camphor purifies babies.
  • Kajal/Surma helps to grow eyebrows.
  • Donkey’s milk improves baby’s immunity.
  • Fact
  • Bathing should be delayed to regulate body temperature and support bonding.
  • Babies under 6 months need only breast milk.
  • Most mothers can and should breastfeed as breastmilk contains antibodies.
  • Can injure bones and soft tissues.
  • Harms lungs, increases breathing problems.
  • Risk of lead poisoning, irritation, skin infection.
  • Unsafe, may cause severe infections and is not nutritionally suitable.
  • Nursing Guideline
  • Sponge the baby with warm water immediately after birth.
  • Encourage exclusive breastfeeding.
  • Advise mothers to breastfeed unless contraindicated (due to drugs, active lesions, certain diseases etc)
  • Demonstrate safe, gentle massage techniques.
  • Advise a smoke-free environment.
  • Educate to avoid synthetic products.
  • Strongly counsel against animal milk; promote exclusive breastfeeding.

Guiding Parents to Establish Respectful Visitor Limits

Parents often struggle to set boundaries with visitors, which can put their newborns at risk. Use the following practical guidelines to support parents in establishing visitor rules effectively and safely.

  • Footwear etiquette:

    Suggest that parents place a clear sign on the door asking visitors to remove their footwear before entering. This helps maintain hygiene without awkward conversations.

  • Hand hygiene:

    Encourage parents to kindly request visitors to use hand sanitizers placed at the entrance before touching or approaching the baby.

  • Mask use:

    Always keep masks handy at the entrance and advise parents to offer them to visitors as a gentle protective measure.

  • Handling the baby:

    If a visitor insists on carrying the newborn, guide parents to wrap the baby in a clean swaddle before handing the baby over. This allows visitors to feel included while ensuring protection.

  • Substance free visits:

    Counsel parents to politely discourage visitors who have been smoking, chewing tobacco, or consuming alcohol from coming near the baby or visiting immediately after.



  • Limit physical touch:

    Encourage parents to politely ask visitors to avoid unnecessary contact with the baby, such as hugging or kissing, especially during the first few weeks.

Download Nursing Checklist - Newborn Visitor Precautions