Advice on dealing with friends and family who want access to your newborn.

There will be many friends and relatives who feel they should have access to your baby. Although it is difficult, make some rules re: visitors and who can see and or hold your baby. As parents, you make the rules:

• No one with any possible contagious illness should be near your baby. That includes older siblings and other children who are most likely to have mild colds or other common childhood ailments.

• Washing hands (or using hand sanitizers) before touching your baby is a good idea.

• In the first few months, keep all contacts to a minimum. You know there are always certain folks who “need” to hold your baby. Be selective!

• Assure yourself that anyone who holds your baby knows how to do so gently, with good head support.

• All holders should use a towel or diaper on their shoulder so the baby will not come in contact with (or spit up on) their clothing.

If you are breast-feeding, your baby will have a more efficient immune system, but continue to limit contact with others to keep your baby from being exposed to common viral infections.