I'm due in about 4 weeks and currently have a 19 month old. In an attempt to not disrupt my toddler's life too much, I'm planning on keeping her in her current activities and playgroups. Most of her activities have a break in Dec., so I'd be taking a 4 or 5 week old baby out by the time things start back up. I babywear and breastfeed, have gotten the seasonal flu shot, plan on getting the H1N1 --if I can find one to get!-- and try to make sure toddler and I eat lots of vitamin rich foods.
What are people's thoughts on taking a newborn out and about during flu season, as long as I carry him and don't let people touch him?
Last winter we were fairly healthy, though my daughter did seem to have a constant cold.
I have a five week old baby and avoid going out as much as possible. As one mom said, its in the air. Something you touch and then touch the baby and carry the germs. I know its being over germaphobic, but with all the flu and h1n1 , I think its safe to stay home. Hey, everything will be there next year right. By then, they should have build immunity.
J.,
I'm a third time mom - so I have 6, 4 and newborn. We have consciously made the decision to limit our activities as of the latter part of my pregnancy (this Fall) and now (Fall and Winter) due in part to keeping everyone a little healthier.
Now I am not couped up - I go to the grocery store, schools, drs appts, etc. as needed. But we decided to limit the extra-cirricular activities for now. We have explained it to our other kids that Mom and baby are tired (being up at nights) and he needs his naps. Additionally, we don't want to get him sick since he can't fight germs like the big girls can.
Although I too am exclusively breastfeeding, that doesn't mean he can't get sick. The drs and nurses at the hospital insist we are being smart. And our pediatrician agrees that there's nothing too important to have to take him to unnecessarily.
The reality is that it's not just the people touching or sneezing on the baby - it's the air. The germs are in air. It's not worth taking the baby out if you don't have to. Even though you're nursing and babycarring he simply doesn't have the same immunities you do - he can STILL get VERY sick, just from the common cold.
As far as your 19 month old, I don't think that it would be a HUGE disruption to her life if you do other things - like borrow movies and library books, and do at home crafts. I think as long as she isn't forgotten it doesn't matter what you do with her. Besides, your playgroup friends may be willing to pick her up to come out to play as opposed to having YOU bring the little baby out.
So my advice is skip the outings and playdates at least for awhile. It's not worth getting your new baby sick to go to a playdate. You won't forgive yourself.
Be happy and healthy!
Sara
Personally, I would take my baby out, but trying to keep people from touching them is soooo hard! I got this sign that said "Please wash your hands before touching mine" and put it on his car seat carrier and that helped a little.
I also took out my baby from her second week, even to hospital to see my mother. Also she was formula fed.But nothing bad happened. But I kept her away from people as much as I can, even when I sit at hospital, I went to a place where less patients are there and sat.
Go out and have fun! We took our baby out early and often (he was born in February) and we had zero issues with illness. I'm a high school teacher and even took him for a visit when he was about 7 weeks old, although I did take a thing of hand sanitizer before I let any of my students hold him. I did ask that if anyone was sick to take a pass, which they did.
yep i think the key is too keep the baby out of sight and reach so when in a stroller keep the shade over him/her, when holding him/her use a bjorn or sling and discourage contact with people and i always use hand sanitizer on my older daughter when done with activities
both my kids were winter babies and i took them out
my youngest who is 8 months had to start going with me to daughters gymnastics and ballet and preschool at 1 week old, how else would she get to all her activities
J.:
If you are breastfeeding you will pass on the antibodies of anything that you are exposed to.
warmly,
P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
My babies were born in October, so they were still fairly young during winter. I took them out without any worries. You're already aware of precautions to take, so your new baby will be fine.
Congratulations!
