friendly kiss on the cheek

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2005

As a pedi nurse I learned to ask before kissing but I never asked before hugging. I have asked if the parent minded that I hold the baby. I figure holding and hugging are one thing with babies.

bennie · Feb 7, 2005

Thanks for that answer purplemania. I was curious to know.

allnurses Guide · Feb 7, 2005

It is funny that holding a baby you just naturally want to give them a little peck.

When I was doing my clinical in the NICU I held a crying baby up to the window for the parents to see and I kissed the baby on the top of the head while I was holding her. They didn't seem alarmed but it hit me all of a sudden that I had kissed their baby w/o asking first.

When I went to the mom's room later I apologized and they were fine with it.

But I know some folks would have a problem. So I always ask now.

The other day one of our co-workers brought her baby in to visit with us and one of the nurses was playing with the baby's feet, took off his socks and kissed his toes .. it was fine with the mom. Hard to resist baby toes. :)

When I look at my 6'4" 20 year old son with the hairy legs and stinky feet it is fun to remind him that I used to kiss those toes.

steph