Newborn Exposed to Flu

My son was 3 months old when my daughter and husband got the stomach flu. My son and myself didnt get it. I was even cleaning up throw up. Dont worry too much unless you have to. With you breastfeeding, she probably wont get it.

don't worry about it. Like your pedi told you, there is nothing you can do and she'll be fine either way. Your kids are exposed to germs all the time but you just can't see them. your supply will keep up with her, don't worry. She'll be fine. She probably won't even get sick.

This happened to us last year when our son was a newborn. All 3 of us got the flu. Our doctor told us not to worry about him catching it. Since I was breastfeeding he had natural antibodies that would help prevent him from getting sick. Just keep up on the nursing but limit interaction between the siblings!

Breastmilk is better tolerated on a sick stomach than formula, so don't give her formula, even if she does throw up. The formula is more likely to make her throw up if she does catch the bug.
As others have said, teach the 3 yr. old about hand washing, germs, etc. I would also encourage kissing on the top of the head. Much harder to get the germs from the top of the head than from the face. Kids are germ factories, and will be spreading germs before they act sick themselves. That's why handwashing is sooo important to teach.
Enjoy your blessings. Have a special Christmas!

Your supply should be fine. If she isn't feeling well, she may be attached to you constantly for comfort.

I would keep your son away from sister until he is over his bug, washing hands constantly, etc.

I would not be too concerned about this. First the stomach bug is just that a stomach bug not the flu. If you are breastfeeding her that's great if she does just get sick just keep nursing and make sure she keeps having wet diapers. I had a nasty stomach bug only a week after I had my second son and I was nursing him he never got it and I cared for him around the clock while vomiting.

Hi Limabean,

Baby should be fine, if she gets it she will probably have a milder version since you are giving her your antibodies through the breast milk (good for you, momma!!)

Your suply will keep up with her, especially if, as one mom said, she becomes attached to you all day for comfort, lol!

Try, as much as possible, to keep your 3 yo's fingers out of baby's mouth, etc. Difficult, I know! but he's at an age he can begin to understand that we wash hands etc to help get rid of germs, we don't kiss someone when we are sick etc. Tell him he can kiss baby when he is better.

It's great that you are nursing her! ;-)

Hugs to you from a fellow Ohioan!

K. Z.

I wouldn't be too concerned. I had strep throat, stomach flu, and bronchitis all while my son was within a few months of birth. He got none of it. Because I was breastfeeding, my doctor told me that I was giving my baby all my immunity and that he would be fine. And he was! Also, recently, my 8-month-old got the stomach flu and only threw up a few times. It hit my 3-year-old and my hubby and me much worse! Babies actually have great immunity! Please don't get too scared about it.

Like someone said, if he's throwing up, it's not the flu, but some kind of stomach virus.

That being said, my oldest starting throwing up at 3am on Christmas morning when she was 18 months old. I had a 6-week-old, and she, too, started throwing up a couple days later. Thankfully, because she was nursing frequently, she never became dehydrated, and I didn't even end up taking her in to the pediatrician. I just nursed her often.

Even when my husband and I came down with the same bug shortly thereafter, I continued to nurse her, and we were all well.

Hang in there, and just keep nursing. Your body will keep up just fine if she does happen to come down with the same virus. Remember, too, that your antibodies will help to minimize her illness if she gets it at all.

Breastmilk is magic! You will probably be surprised at how mild her illness is, if she even gets it at all. She may want to nurse more and that's the other amazing thing about breastfeeding, you'll totally keep up. No need to supplement with formula, she gets everything she needs from you, even if she doesn't seem to keep it down.