Keeping Infant Safe from Sick Family & Friends??? Pls HELP.

Stop sanitizing. Trying to keep your environmanet germ-free s the surest way to cripple your chil's immune system. We evolved in co-existence with certain bacteria, and our immune systems only learn to recognize and fight off those bacteria by being exposed to them. Every cold you catch make you that much more able to fight it off in the futre when exposed to it again. It's unpleasant and messy while it's going on, but in the long run, you're healthier for having been through it. I only gave my daughter the minimum vaccinations that were required by the school system - polio, mmr and dpt. I don't use anti-badterial soaps, alcohol gel hand sanitizers, or bleach. We wash our hands only when they're dirty, after using the bathroom, and before eating. We wear the same jeans several days in a row,as long as they look and smell clean. My main house-cleaning agent is white vinegar. My famliy is seldom sick, except for an occasional cold. I kow someone who uses every antibacterial product on the market, and uses so much bleach to clean her house that my eyes and nose start burning from the fumes every time I go over there, and her kids catch every bug that comes along, and take a long time to get over it.

wow. i read this and i totally understand where you are coming from. my daughter was born 8 weeks early & was in the NICU for 6 weeks when she was born. her first several months home were fall/winter season. we too had to be very careful because she had no immunities. our doctor basically told us not to take her anywhere and not to go to anyone's houses or have anyone over. she had to get the RSV shot during that winter because any little cold or cough could turn into RSV and become serious, which I see you had to deal with. so, that's what we told people. only our immediate families came by for the first several months. and even then they washed their hands and sanitized before they even touched her. and they did not come by if they were sick, even with just the sniffles/head cold. but, luckily everyone understood. they saw how scary it was that she was so early and how small she was (only 2 lbs 1 1/2 oz) when born so they totally understood and knew how important it was to keep germs away from her until she got stronger. its the best thing in the long run. she made it through that winter without any sickness. now, she's 20 months old and doing awesome! stick to your guns....... good luck and congrats on your litte one! :)

My son is 7 months and just recently has gotten a cold...lots of mucus..getting that mucus out is so important...we found using the nosefrida (it's a snot sucker)..works so fantastic, I can't tell you enough how good it works on clearing the mucus out. You might want to try it to prevent other complications. You can get it online at target..made in sweeden and works like a charm

It's too bad we can't put common sense and courtesy in a bottle!
However, you can buiLd your children's immune systems.
Check out Shaklee Baby and Kids products at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
These products made a huge difference for my children when they were little. And they continue to help us. I haven't had cold in over 10 years.
Hope this is helpful.
Victoria

I would definetely keep visitors away with what you have been through. Your own kids will also bring sickness home from school, as will your husband from work, but those you can control better. Just explain to family (or even fib and say baby is a little "off" again and you are worried) that on doctor's orders you need to keep him as healthy as possible. I think January through March is the worst for flu and cold. I would be stressing out too if my child had already been hospitalized 2x at age 3 months. They will understand so I would say BAN everyone for a while. Might get lonely but they can call on the phone and email to stay in touch. If you make it uniform no-one should feel left out. Good luck.

Sinus infections are not contagious, just FYI.

I would tell all of your family and friends that your doctor has recommended that the baby not be around anyone with any kind of illness. Mention it now, keep reminding them. Good luck!

I agree with your husband. Don't have anyone over until cold and flu season is over! Your older kids have to go to school, so there's nothing you can do about that. But it's extremely annoying ghat people feel they can come around a tiny baby wigh even a minor cold! We never visit people if our kids are sick. My in laws however have kids that are sick every time we see them! Last thanksgiving we all got sick after spending the day with them. Our daughter was only 5 months old at the time. They should have warned us!
You can't live in a bubble all the time, but people should use some common sense.