Is it okay to kiss newborns?

A mother holding her newborn. (Courtesy/GettyImages)

After eight years of trying to have a baby, Grace and Tom Randoli were starting to lose hope. They had seen countless gynecologists, sexologists, and any specialist who might offer a glimmer of hope — all in vain.

One day, Grace decided to go for a “final visit” to the doctor. She had already braced herself for the worst news when, much to her astonishment, the doctor beamed and announced, “Grace, you’re pregnant!”

Grace floated home on a cloud that day, practically bursting with joy. That evening, she and Tom celebrated with an extravagant dinner, it made other dinners blush. The plot twist came during the next doctor’s visit when they learned they weren’t expecting just one baby, but three! Tom was over the moon.

Despite warnings about the challenges of raising triplets, Grace and Tom couldn’t contain their happiness. “We waited eight years, so what’s a bit of chaos compared to that?” Grace reminisces.

The arrival of Abby, Amelia, and Theo was a whirlwind of emotion. With three nannies and a small army of relatives and friends, there was no shortage of love or extra hands.

Days turned into weeks, with every coo, giggle, and hiccup being a new source of marvel. Each kiss and snuggle was a testament to their joy and commitment. But soon, they discovered that love alone wasn’t enough to keep their little angels from falling ill.

The couple cherished every moment with the triplets and welcomed others to share in their joy. They believed each touch, kiss and hug was a reaffirmation of love.

However, one day, all three triplets fell ill with a serious flu. Their pediatrician, concerned by the frequent visits, asked how the triplets were handled. “We were all kissing and cuddling the babies so much that their pediatrician raised an eyebrow at how often they got sick,” Grace said.

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The doctor’s advice led to some tough realizations and changes. It was a shocking moment of reality as we realised all the affections were connected to the triplets’ poor health,” says Grace.

From then, the couple learnt how to safeguard their precious trio’s health. Armed with their new knowledge, they navigated the stormy seas of parenting the triplets, even if the occasional health scare did arise.

“It’s been an incredible joy to see our triplets thriving and on the verge of becoming young adults,” Tom said.

Now, 14 years later, their story of patience, surprise, and unwavering love continues to inspire.

Many parents are unaware that kissing a baby can be risky due to their vulnerable immune systems. Pediatrician Dr Raphael Kithinji provides crucial insights:

Cold sores: Caused by HSV 1 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1), can be passed even with a peck, leading to severe illness in newborns.

Respiratory illnesses: Newborns’ lungs are underdeveloped, making any respiratory virus potentially hazardous..

Kissing disease: Mononucleosis, known as the “kissing disease,” is contagious and difficult to cure in infants.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease: Can result in sores from any contact, including kissing.

Cavities: Bacteria like Streptococcus Mutans can be transferred through saliva.

Skincare products: Contain chemicals that may harm babies’ delicate skin.