Microbiologist explains why you shouldn't kiss your baby

Many parents dote on their children like the proverb 'it hurts your eyes' does, and some even kiss them without thinking. However, microbiologists warn that even kissing children, especially newborn babies, on the face can cause serious infections.

Why you should never kiss a baby

A survey published in 2023 by the British charity Lullaby Trust revealed that a whopping 54% of parents said they would let family or friends kiss their newborn without knowing the risk of serious infection.

'Kissing your baby is certainly a sign of affection, but it can have serious negative effects,' said Primrose Freestone, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Leicester, explaining why kissing your baby is bad for you.

First, newborn babies have a very high risk of contracting serious infections because their immune systems are not fully developed. For about three months after birth, babies have fewer infection-fighting immune cells, such as neutrophils and monocytes, than adults, so infections that would cause only mild symptoms in adults or older children can be life-threatening in babies.

Herpes virus infection is one example. If the herpes virus only affects the baby's eyes, mouth, and skin, most babies will recover with antiviral treatment, but if the virus spreads throughout the body and affects the baby's organs, it can even be fatal in the worst case. The younger the baby, the more susceptible they are to herpes virus infection, especially during the first four weeks of life, so you need to be especially careful during this period.

Babies are also more susceptible than older children and adults to infectious bacteria, particularly intracellular pathogens such as group B streptococcus, Freestone said. While these bacteria often live in the digestive tract or genitals of their hosts without causing illness, they can cause sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in babies.

In addition, babies are susceptible to strains of E. coli that are harmless to adults and can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, all of which can be serious.

So, Freestone said, 'Parents with young babies shouldn't feel uncomfortable asking others not to kiss them or touch their baby. If the people visiting your baby are truly concerned about your baby's health, they shouldn't feel uncomfortable with your request. Always remember that babies are very susceptible to infections.'

She added, 'If you have a legitimate reason to kiss your baby, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of infection. First, wash your hands thoroughly. Second, avoid kissing your baby's mouth or face. Kiss their feet or the back of their head. If you have an infectious disease, consider whether you really need to visit an infant, especially one who is under one month old.' She concluded that kissing should be avoided to protect newborns.