Is it safe to take a baby under 6 months old to an old folks home?
I'm having an argument with a relative who believes that it is actually dangerous to take my child to see their great-grandmother who is living in the nursing section of an old folks home. She's not sick (as in diseased), she's just really old.
I can understand not taking the kid in the back with the rest of the people in the nursing section, but shouldn't I be able to take my grandmother outside the nursing section to see my son?
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This may fall under medical advice, and I am not a doctor or health professional.
On WebMD, under the flu & cold section, they mention newborns younger than 6 weeks are at higher risk for colds because their immune systems are immature.
They list a number of precautions, and the following might be applicable to your situation:
Keep newborns away from anyone who is sick.
If possible, avoid crowds and using public transportation with newborns
I don't think that a nursing home is crowded place, especially if you only go visit one person.
In addition, I would:
ask anyone who holds the baby to wash hands first.
make sure the baby (& you!) is up to date on vaccinations (for that matter, so should any elderly be)
If the baby is older than 6 weeks, the risk is probably lower, but you can still follow those guidelines of course.
Note that in the US, most daycares (nurseries) allow babies as young as 6 weeks. The baby will be exposed to a lot of germs here.
If the baby has any health issues or was premature, I would definitely check with a doctor before going anywhere.
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