How do I protect my newborn from RSV from winter visitors?

Have everyone wash hands for at least 20 seconds before holding the baby, keep sick visitors and crowds away, ask visitors not to kiss the baby, and make sure caregivers are vaccinated. Most babies are also covered by the maternal RSV vaccine or nirsevimab.

Why shouldn't people kiss a newborn?

RSV spreads through saliva, and the cold-sore virus (HSV) can cause serious, even life-threatening illness in babies during the first months. Anyone with an active cold sore should never kiss a baby, and it is safest if no one kisses a newborn's face or hands.

Should visitors be vaccinated before meeting my newborn?

Yes. Close caregivers and visitors should be up to date on flu, COVID, and whooping cough (Tdap), ideally with Tdap at least 2 weeks before contact. This cocooning protects a baby too young for their own vaccines.

When is a fever an emergency for a newborn?

A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 2 months means go to the emergency department immediately. From 2 to 3 months, call your provider right away. Fever at this age can signal a serious infection.

Should I get the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy?

Yes. Tdap at 27 to 36 weeks of each pregnancy lowers your baby's risk of whooping cough in the first two months by about 78 percent and protects most babies from infection serious enough to need hospitalization.

Can I take my newborn out during RSV and flu season?

Limit crowds and exposure to sick people, especially in the first weeks. Keep the home smoke-free and have visitors wash their hands. If you go out, avoid crowded indoor spaces during peak winter virus season.

Does breastfeeding protect a newborn from winter germs?

Breast milk contains antibodies that help prevent and fight infections, adding a layer of protection. It does not replace handwashing, keeping sick visitors away, and vaccinating caregivers.

Winter safety · 0–3 mo

New baby, winter visitors: wash, don't kiss.

A newborn's immune system is still developing, and winter brings RSV, flu, and other germs through every visitor. A few firm rules in the first weeks lower the risk the most.

2 min read Seasonal Safety Updated June 2026

Hands and faces: the two rules that matter most

Have everyone wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before holding the baby. Hand sanitizer works when soap and water are not available.

Ask visitors not to kiss the baby, especially on the face and hands. RSV spreads through saliva, and the cold-sore virus (HSV) is dangerous to babies in the first months and can be life-threatening. Anyone with an active cold sore should not kiss the baby at all.

Keep sick visitors away

Anyone with a cold, cough, sore throat, or fever should stay home until they are well. Limit your newborn's exposure to crowds and to other children, who often carry winter viruses without seeming very sick.

Keep the home smoke-free, since smoke exposure raises a baby's risk of respiratory illness.

Vaccinate the people around the baby

Surrounding a newborn with vaccinated caregivers, sometimes called cocooning, protects a baby too young for their own shots. Everyone in close contact should be up to date on flu, COVID, and whooping cough (Tdap).

Tdap during pregnancy, given at 27 to 36 weeks of each pregnancy, lowers a baby's whooping-cough risk in the first two months by about 78 percent. Other caregivers should have Tdap ideally at least 2 weeks before meeting the baby.

Flu vaccine for all caregivers and visitors
COVID vaccine for all caregivers and visitors
Tdap at 27–36 weeks of pregnancy, and for close caregivers

RSV protection and the newborn fever rule

Most babies are covered for RSV by one of two routes: the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) at 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy during the September to January window, or the antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus) given to infants under 8 months, October through March. Most infants need only one.

Breastfeeding passes along antibodies that help fight infection. And know the emergency rule: a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 2 months means go to the emergency department right away; from 2 to 3 months, call the provider immediately.

Common questions

How do I protect my newborn from RSV from winter visitors?: Have everyone wash hands for at least 20 seconds before holding the baby, keep sick visitors and crowds away, ask visitors not to kiss the baby, and make sure caregivers are vaccinated. Most babies are also covered by the maternal RSV vaccine or nirsevimab.
Why shouldn't people kiss a newborn?: RSV spreads through saliva, and the cold-sore virus (HSV) can cause serious, even life-threatening illness in babies during the first months. Anyone with an active cold sore should never kiss a baby, and it is safest if no one kisses a newborn's face or hands.
Should visitors be vaccinated before meeting my newborn?: Yes. Close caregivers and visitors should be up to date on flu, COVID, and whooping cough (Tdap), ideally with Tdap at least 2 weeks before contact. This cocooning protects a baby too young for their own vaccines.
When is a fever an emergency for a newborn?: A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 2 months means go to the emergency department immediately. From 2 to 3 months, call your provider right away. Fever at this age can signal a serious infection.
Should I get the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy?: Yes. Tdap at 27 to 36 weeks of each pregnancy lowers your baby's risk of whooping cough in the first two months by about 78 percent and protects most babies from infection serious enough to need hospitalization.
Can I take my newborn out during RSV and flu season?: Limit crowds and exposure to sick people, especially in the first weeks. Keep the home smoke-free and have visitors wash their hands. If you go out, avoid crowded indoor spaces during peak winter virus season.
Does breastfeeding protect a newborn from winter germs?: Breast milk contains antibodies that help prevent and fight infections, adding a layer of protection. It does not replace handwashing, keeping sick visitors away, and vaccinating caregivers.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.