Is It Really Safe to Kiss a Baby? Let’s Get the Evidence

Ashley Strengholt
Nov 5
4 min read

Love, cuddles and kisses - they’re part of the universal joy of welcoming a newborn. But as a parent (or a part of the “village” around that new baby), you may have heard mixed messages: “Don’t let anyone kiss the baby!” versus “Go ahead, grandma, give those cheeks some love.”

So what does the evidence say? Is the risk real - or is it very small? How can we balance love and safety without becoming anxious? Let’s walk through what the research tells us, so you can take a breath and relax a bit.

What Are We Worried About?

Newborns have immature immune systems, which makes them more vulnerable to infections that adults typically handle with ease (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). Infants’ blood-brain barriers and vaccine protections are still developing, so pathogens that seem harmless to adults can be more serious for babies (Freestone, 2021).

Researchers highlight several common sources of concern:

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2): Many adults carry HSV and may have mild or no symptoms. However, if transmitted to a newborn—often through a kiss—it can cause neonatal herpes, which may be life-threatening (South Sudan Medical Journal, 2024).
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This virus is widespread and often asymptomatic in adults, yet in newborns it can cause hearing loss or developmental delays (OnlyMyHealth, 2024).
Respiratory Viruses: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza can be passed through saliva or droplets from close contact (BV Health System, n.d.).

While these risks exist, they are not a reason for panic - they simply call for awareness and caution, especially in the first six to eight weeks of life (Oster, 2024).

What the Evidence Suggests

1. The Risk Is Real but Generally Low

A review by the South Sudan Medical Journal (2024) concluded that although kissing newborns is a loving gesture, it carries “considerable danger” because infants are particularly susceptible to infection. Still, for most healthy, full-term infants, the absolute risk remains low - especially when those around the baby practice good hygiene and avoid contact when ill.

Public awareness of these risks remains limited. A survey conducted by The Lullaby Trust (2023) found that more than half of U.K. parents were unaware of the potential dangers of kissing a newborn, even though many permitted it.

2. Context and Timing Matter

The most vulnerable window is typically the first six to eight weeks after birth (Oster, 2024). During this time, it is best to avoid anyone with active infections - especially cold sores - kissing or getting too close to the baby’s face (Maternity & Midwifery UK, 2023). Handwashing and avoiding face-to-face contact when ill are simple but highly effective protective steps (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).

3. Kissing Is Also a Social Signal

Interestingly, research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2022) found that infants use saliva sharing (such as kissing or food sharing) as a cue to identify who belongs to their “inner circle.” Babies seem to understand that people who share saliva typically share strong emotional bonds (Thomas et al., 2022). This finding suggests that while caution is wise, affection itself plays a vital role in social and emotional development.

How to Keep Baby Safe—Without Fear

The goal is not to eliminate affection but to balance love and safety. Evidence supports a few practical steps:

Prioritize hand hygiene. Everyone should wash or sanitize hands before holding the baby.
Set boundaries kindly. Politely ask visitors to avoid kissing the baby’s face or hands, especially during the newborn period.
Watch for illness. Anyone who is sick or has a cold sore should wait until fully recovered to visit or hold the baby.
Adjust based on age and health. Premature or immunocompromised infants warrant extra caution; for healthy term babies, risk declines after the early weeks (Oster, 2024).
Encourage safe bonding. Cuddles, skin-to-skin contact, talking, and gentle singing promote bonding and carry minimal risk.

When these steps are followed, families can confidently show love while keeping the baby protected.

Why This Matters

Parental affection is not just comforting - it’s essential. Loving touch and responsive caregiving help regulate a baby’s stress hormones and support healthy brain development (Harvard University, 2022). Overemphasizing fear of infection can isolate parents or strain family relationships, while a balanced, evidence-based approach allows love and connection to flourish safely.

Summary

Kissing can transmit viruses such as HSV, CMV, and RSV, but the overall risk is low when proper hygiene is maintained.
The newborn period (first six to eight weeks) carries the highest vulnerability.
Avoid kissing the baby’s mouth, face, or hands; opt for forehead or top-of-head kisses once the baby is older and healthy.
Prioritize handwashing and keeping sick visitors away.
Affection, when practiced safely, is beneficial for both baby and family bonds.

In short: awareness is key - but love is still essential. With thoughtful precautions, families can safely shower babies with the affection they deserve.