As the slightly neurotic soon-to-be-mom that you are, I’m sure you’ve created an extensive new mom checklist, but have you thought enough about germs? Not just the germs from the stuff you and your baby come into contact with, but encounters with strangers as well?
As the slightly neurotic soon-to-be-mom that you are, I’m sure you’ve created an extensive new mom checklist, but have you thought enough about germs? Not just the germs from the stuff you and your baby come into contact with, but encounters with strangers as well?
Before I had my baby, I did not foresee this scenario being a problem, until it actually started happening. People are ruthless.
Seriously, I need you to picture this issue like a zombie apocalypse. Random people at the grocery store, CVS, Target, wherever, are like walkers ready to attack your baby with their germy, gross hands. They strike so quickly, you never even know it’s coming. Right after it happens, you’re still in shock.
Unfortunately, you can’t be spraying these people down with Babyganics sanitizers, so how can you be a smart and prepared mom in order to safeguard your child against these people?
I’m sure you’re already equipped with reactionary tools to protect your baby from unwanted encounters, but you want to be Proactive Mom!
You’ve asked hospital visitors to get vaccinated. You make grandmas wash their hands. You keep your baby out of public places for at least the first two months of their lives. You’ve worked so hard to keep them safe from germ exposure, so how can you continue to protect them from the strangers that insist on making contact with your little one while you’re out and about?
In my real-time experience, there are the four products I would add to any new mom checklist to combat against the germs of the walking dead:
1. Car Seat Cover Canopy and Nursing Cover by Copper Pearl
If you haven’t added a car seat canopy to your new mom checklist, you need to! There are two different kinds I purchased, and I use both for different reasons. Consider the Car Seat Cover Canopy and Nursing Cover by Copper Pearl your deftly fortified home during the zombie apocalypse of germs.
Here’s why I love this canopy cover:
- It’s super stretchy and fits tightly around any car seat, making your newborn difficult to get to by others
- It works perfectly on a cold day, as the material is thick enough to block the outside chill.
- The cover comes in multiple colors and super chic patterns, so there are many choices to fit your specific modern mom style.
- It can double-up as a nursing cover, if you choose to breastfeed and cover in public
The Copper Pearl Canopy Cover is definitely a must-have if you plan to take your newborn out during those first few months and want to seriously detract contact with germy people.
2. aden + anais Muslin Car Seat Canopy
The aden + anais Muslin Car Seat Canopy is another discourager from stranger attacks and different type of canopy cover that I’ve purchased. This canopy fits loosely over your car seat, similar to the draping of a blanket. It is better than a blanket, because you can easily secure it to your baby’s car seat with a few snaps.
Here are the reasons why this canopy rocks:
- I have found this cover to useful against unwelcome strangers too!
- The snapping feature is super convenient for quickly heading out the door, as I rarely need to remove this canopy. (For more products that can make baby on-the-go trips easier for you, check out my post here!)
- Made with very breathable fabric for going out on a warm day.
The aden + anais canopy cover is an awesome, inexpensive way to keep your child draped during outings. Whether it’s shielding from germs or the sun, this is my go-to item as a mom on-the-go. And, trust me, this works way better than a blanket, so don’t even think about it!
3. Baby Carriers
Although people have been babywearing for centuries, it’s recently become more popular and trendy! Baby carriers make outings easier, but also makes your baby less accessible to strangers. Seriously, when you have that little one strapped to your chest, there’s a lot less grabbing involved!
I have four different types of carriers. I know, a little excessive, but I had no idea which one my baby would respond to.
In the end, I LOVE my Lillebaby Complete Airflow Baby & Child Carrier
Why is the Lillebaby Complete Airflow one of my absolute favorite carriers?
- This carrier is easy to use for a new mom AND you do not have to buy a separate newborn headpiece like other brands require. Less stress and less money to worry about.
- It’s great for long wears, as I’ve used it for 4-mile hikes with my 17-pound child!
- I love how easy it is to adjust, as well. Just pull the straps, and you’re good to go.
Another carrier my baby liked early on was the Baby K’tan Original Baby Carrier
Here are some reasons why this wrap may be for you:
- This is a wrap style carrier that doesn’t require tons of videos to figure out!
- It is great for beginners and doesn’t overwhelm your baby, as this was the first and only carrier my newborn responded to.
- My baby was so comfy he even fell asleep sometimes! (Added bonus!)
If you want to try a wrap, but are a bit dazed by how to actually use one, you should totally check this out and add it to your new mom checklist.
As a side note, I could not use carriers for the first 3 months, as my baby cried when being worn. Therefore, I can’t speak to super teeny tiny babies and these carriers. If your baby doesn’t enjoy being worn, but you still need to get your mom butt to places like the grocery store and target, check out my post here for an item that helps to solve this problem!
4. Safety 1st No Germs On Board Sign
I’m still dying that I had to buy this. Although this sign looks ridiculous, and I refused to add this to my registry, I actually needed it.
I should’ve added it to my new mom checklist from the start, and here’s why:
Sometimes, my child does not enjoy being covered. The older he gets, the more aware of his surroundings he is, like he’s suffering from baby FOMO. As a result, he’s susceptible to an attack from the walkers of the world.
Unless I literally hit their hands, with a display of impeccable reaction time, it’s hard to keep people away.
The outward attacks happened a couple times at first. In response, I would quickly wipe my angelic boy with a sanitary baby wipe. My final straw was when an old lady struck while I was changing his dirty diaper in Target.
My hands were completely full, and my poor child was left vulnerable to her wrinkly zombie-like touch. What really irked me this go around was what she said prior to grabbing my babies foot…“I know we’re not supposed to touch babies, but I just can’t help myself.”
Done… I’m freaking done!
I went home and ordered this Safety 1st No Germs On Board Sign to attach to my car seat and never looked back.
The best part…
- The sign now makes people assume I’m crazy, and they stay away.
- It’s 4 dollars! Super cheap and it’s an easy mechanism to add to your new mom checklist. Why wouldn’t you get this for your newborn?
Get To It, New Mom!
The outside world becomes a much scarier place when you have a newborn baby in tow. Your maternal instincts are more in tune, as the fear of germs plague your outings. Adding these suggested items to your new mom checklist will help you prepare for these intruders and keep your baby safe.
What else have you found to use as a weapon during the baby germ apocalypse? As a new mom, how have you handled strangers who want to get close to your baby?
Comment below to suggest other new mom checklist items to keep undesirables away. Also, don’t forget to share this article with other new moms preparing for life with a newborn!
Are you a soon to be mom looking for more tips on what you need to be fully prepared for your new addition? Check out my baby registry checklist that’s absolutely free and easy to download. Find items like the ones in this post, among many others that were selected with you, the modern mom, in mind! Get it below.
Loved the board sign idea :p
Thank you! Definitely a popular item.
Unstoppable post while we try to keep our kiddos safe! Cheers.
Thank you, Rhonda!
Zombie apocalypse! So funny and so true. They flock with their hands out, “must touch baby”!!!
You are not crazy, I wish I had that sign too!
Haha! So funny!! The sign works wonders.
Thanks for sharing! I don’t worry too much about my kids and germs and ive been lucky not to have a lot of people try to touch my kids. However, I do know some people with babies that could literally die if they catch the wrong germs. People should be more respectful of your child’s personal space. Nobody has any right to touch someone else’s child without being invited to do so!!
I agree! We don’t go up to random adults and pinch their cheeks! It was so bad I literally needed a sign to stop them!
Great post Mama! All of these products are a must, ESPECIALLY the Lillebaby carrier. I seriously cannot get enough of ours. Great suggestions!
Thank you! The Liliebaby is so great. I spent a great deal of money on a carrier I hated. Wish I had bought this from the start.
I love the no germs sign! I have never seen that before, totally wish I had known about it when my kiddos were small!
Seriously one of my biggest pet peeves is when someone comes up and rubs their cheeks! It takes all that’s in me to not smack their hand away!
Great ideas and great post!
The sign is definitely popular! It is so hard to tell people not to tough your child. I wish they would understand boundaries.
This is amazing. My baby just turned 3 months and for the most part people have admired him from afar. Today, however, we were at a powerlifting meet for my husband and my baby was like a magnet for every germy person to grab his hands and touch his cheeks. It drove me nuts! Especially because baby is now in love with shoving his hands in his mouth. I went through so many Babyganics sanitizing wipes.
UGH! It’s so hard. I have been in some very awkward situations where I’ve had to ask people to not touch him (especially during flu season), but I remind myself that I am his voice. Now that he’s crawling and almost walking, I realize how dirty EVERYTHING is, not just people’s hands. Pour on the Babyganics 🙂
I still was in awe everytime complete strangers tried to touch my baby. It’s like have some sense folks! I wish I knew about that yellow sign. I would have totally bought one!!
Right?? If you have to ask if it’s okay to touch my baby, it’s NOT OKAY. HAHA Thanks for reading
Yes! Isn’t it weird how people just feel like they can touch your baby as they please ? These are great tips!
Right?? First it’s your pregnant belly, next it’s your newborn baby. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Oh my God! You are so funny describing the scene 😬 I swear by wearing your baby it does discourage ppl from touching them hehe…but seriously though how come they done get it that you don’t go touching babies 👶 😕
HAHA.. can you tell I’m obsessed with zombies 🙂 Babywearing is an awesome way to get people to stay away from your newborn.
These items are awesome. I totally love the sweatshirt! I’ll have to consider these for baby number 2.
Yes! Definitely great to have on hand for baby number two!
Haha, I love you describe it as a zombie attack. I used to to feel the same way. These are great products. I used to be extremely worried about germs with my baby, but as I learned more about the benefits of breastfeeding, I knew I would make the anti-bodies to fight the germs my baby was exposed to (I think this is so cool🙂). That made me feel a lot better. I still did not like strangers touching my baby, because it was just weird! Great post! Thanks for the recommendations.
Yes, Cindy, I totally agree! Breastfeeding has made me feel more confident about exposing my child to the germs out there. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.