Ok, call me crazy but I am seriously afraid of his H1N1 flu. I am paranoid that my baby is going to get it and not be able to survive it. Like I said, call me crazy, but this seriously gives me huge amounts of anxiety and fear. If I think about it to much I start bawling like a baby because I feel like I can't protect him, like it's out of my control. Not a cool feeling.
So today I Googled "What happens if my newborn gets H1N1?" I found this website where Claire McCarthy, a Harvard Pediatrician, answers moms questions regarding the flu. Here's her answer.
How can I protect my newborn? Should I avoid going out in public places with her?
Newborns are vulnerable to all sorts of germs, not just flu viruses, so keeping them protected is a good idea all the time, not just now. Here are some ideas for keeping your newborn (actually, any baby less than six months old) healthy:
• Be careful about who holds and touches her. Everybody wants to hold and touch babies, because they are so cute--but anybody who is even slightly sick should keep their distance. If you present it as a "rule", people will be less likely to take offense (not that you should care if they do).
• Even if people seem healthy, insist that they wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer) before holding or touching the baby.
• Avoid crowded public places if possible. If you need to go out, consider using a sling or other baby carrier that keeps her close to you.
• Breastfeed! Breast milk contains antibodies that can help keep her healthy. Don't stop breastfeeding if you get sick--the antibodies your body makes to fight your infection will pass through the milk and give her a head start on fighting the same infection. If she gets sick, breast milk is absolutely the best thing for her.
So, I am going to try to remain calm. That's a BIG "try". We went to church on Sunday and I did wear him in my baby bjorn... but I just think I'll be less worried if I don't go to church for a few weeks or so (avoiding a very public place) and I might even have Greg do most of the grocery shopping since he's off for another month. We will continue to let Ellie go to Sunday School as I feel she obviously has a stronger immune system.
We have Coop's 2 week appointment on Friday afternoon and you better believe it that I'll be asking our pediatrician about a thousand questions about all this. Ugh. Parenting brings on all sorts of new worries to an already hormonal, emotional worry-wart mommy like me! :)
9 comments:
It is tough. I worry about this flu too, and my kids certainly aren't newborn. I am hoping that the media is creating lots of hype to get ratings. Maybe it won't be so bad?
Izzy was born in November, and I was constantly worried about him getting sick too. For the first three months we really didn't leave the house too much. However, he still got sick because Porgie likes to pass along her germs.
That is a tough one. Part of me feels like Christy, that there is some hype behind it but, of course, you don't want to mess with something like that, especially with a newborn. I think you are being wise to stay away from public places for a little while longer...he's just so itty bitty right now!! Let us know what your pediatrician says!
Well Well Well.......I am surprised that I am agreeing with my wife on this one.
I am worried also.
H1N1 scares the hell out of me. I am scared for my Coop, I am scared for Ellie and Kris, and I have scared about the worrying that Kris does. I just hope that we can make it through this winter and keep our family safe.
I pray the media is hyping this up. I think they are A-holes if that is what they are doing... but whatever keeps my baby and family safe is what I want!
I totally understand. H1N1 is going around my school big time right now. I will be home on maternity leave, but my husband teaches/coaches as well and I just know he will bring it home to the baby!
After Ellie was born, I was obsessed with West Nile and would cry thinking about it.
I am terrified too. I have a 3 month old and a four year old, we live in a small community and have had one confirmed death and 2 other cases. I am still living life as normal going grocery shopping with both kids etc etc. We had a pedi appt last month for our 3 month old. The MD suggested that my 4 year old, myself, and husband get vaccinated, specifically for H1N1 and then get the flu shot later in the year to protect the 3 month old who is to young to get flu vaccinations. I don't know just something to think about. I am right there with you, uh I hate all this worrying.
I think you are smart to be concerned about this. The H1N1 flu is no more dangerous than any other flu, but it is spreading like wildfire. It is everywhere around here right now. I actually believe the twins and LG had it over the past week, but I can't say for sure, as we did not go and have testing done. In our case, if it was indeed H1N1, it wasn't a bad case, but my girls are a year older than Cooper, and at this stage, a year makes a huge difference. Keep that baby away from wandering hands and old lady kisses as long as you can right now! I'm a big church goer myself, and I kept myself and my babies out of church for probably three months last year after they were born. People at church mean well, but when people know you they feel a lot more comfortable touching!
Kris, I know you are worried, I obviously worry to, especially since I work in healthcare,but you just need to do what you are doing. The Harvard MD said things that I think I have been telling you also. Just be cautious, wash your hands, make everyone wash there hands who come over before they touch the baby. Pete and I alwyas use sanitizer in the car after being at the store and I bring wipes to wipe Nora's hands. the first thing Pete does when he gets home is wash his hands after being at work. Wash your car keys often and the bottom of your purse, phones, and doorknobs. These are the type of things you can control and will make you feel like you are doing all you can to protect your family. And as I did with Nora, before the whole H1N1, I avoided crowded places for awhile like church, where no matter how sick they are old people always go. And I would obviously avoid your grandpa in the N.H, phone calls may be best. Being a new mom I know it is hard but getting rest and eating well also are good ways to prepare your body to fight illness should it arise. And yes, people have died form this flu but people die from the flu every year, most of them, yes not all, but most who have chronic illnesss's or who are immunocomprimised d/t a chronic condition. There is always fear and worry in our lives, we just have to find a way to balance that fear and live. And yes, definetly ask all you can at your appt. on Friday!!
If you want, I can send you the stuff we get at work about it. They send us all kinds of updates. It would seem there are experts in this kind of stuff there...who knew? :)
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