I Don't Want Her to Get Sick

what? I don't understand. She's in utero, and you're worried about....the flu? Some other illness?

Ahhhhh....new account. Welcome to Mamapedia.

You may want to add more info. What specifically are you worried about?

Otherwise we have no information to offer an answer, short of put her in a bubble. :)

My baby was born in January and did not get sick, even when her brother got a really bad stomach virus and was sick for almost 2 weeks, she was fine.

Honestly, just use common sense. Wash hands often, ask others to wash hands before holding her, wash hands after diaper changes (especially poopy ones), try not to sneeze or cough on her.

The older she gets (and I do mean a few weeks old, 2 months old, etc.) the more you can relax a bit.

Try not to worry about every little germ. Her young system will be fragile, but as she gets older it will grow stronger. Exposure to germs will help strengthen her immune system.

Regular soap is absolutely all you need. Most people have some GermX around because it's just so darn convenient. It's actually overkill, as we all need some bacteria in our systems, so don't use it too much.

Be cautious and aware, but do not panic and do not be too concerned about a kid here or there touching her hands of face. Ask people to wash their hands, but don't sweat it of great-aunt Suzie refuses.

Remember that kids are going to get sick and you cannot prevent that.

And just try to enjoy her!

Welcome to mamapedia!!!

Congratulations on your newest edition.

Sorry - your daughter will get sick. She will get colds. She will get fevers. She will have diarrhea and vomit. It's life.

You cannot PREVENT it. The germs she encounters are good for her - they help her build her immune system.

Can you make the chances of her getting sick lower? Yes. You can ask people to wash their hands BEFORE they hold her.

You can breast feed. Not everyone does it. Fine. There are MANY benefits to breast feeding.

You can make sure that her diapers are changed regularly...
her crib is clean and your home is clean.
If you pump and breast feed, make sure the bottles are sterile (hot water for 30 seconds or a minute).

You can live your life. Not be paranoid. You can use common sense when taking care of your child!! You are 19 years old. This is a huge, life altering change!

I'm sure you will have a TON of questions!!! There are a lot of smart people on this board/site!! You'll get great advice, good advice, neutral advice, not good advice and bad advice. You don't take it personally and you take what you need and let the rest go.

Winter is not necessarily a time to get sick...it's just a common time for the flu. You can do a lot to keep your baby healthy.

1. BREASTFEED! If you can, of course. I strongly encourage it...it will provide your baby with LOTS of added immunity besides all of the other benefits to both you and your baby. My first child was sick a lot (bottle fed) and my second child (breastfed still at age 2, my own question coming later!) never had the flu, a cold, an ear infection, etc. She actually has a lot of health issues (lactose intolerance, Celiac disease, other digestive problems) so breastfeeding was absolutely the best I could do for her.

2. Keep a clean house. I think this is important regardless of how old your children are, but it's definitely one thing I can do to feel that I'm doing my best. Disinfect germy areas (phone, remote, doorknobs, etc) and just generally keep your house clean...you don't have to go overboard, but it's so nice to have a clean house! The best thing about a clean house is, if you start with a really clean house (i.e. before the baby comes) it's much easier to keep it clean by just spending 20 minutes a day. I really don't spend much time cleaning because I clean when it's already clean...wipe down the bathroom sink every morning, wipe the shower with your towel when you get out...walk around with a dust rag while you're on the phone, etc.

3. Limit certain contact. I don't follow the "keep your baby in" for X amount of time, but again, common sense is important here. Don't bring your baby around lots of other children (breeding grounds for germs and illness, just a fact) until she's a bit older, wipe handles of shopping carts, etc. Insist people wash their hands before holding your baby and don't feel bad about doing it.

4. Immunizations. I won't even get into the debate here, but immunizations are VERY important to keep not only your own child healthy, but others as well. No risks of autism, etc, have been proven from immunizations, so please don't let anyone scare you away from them (because there are certain people who will try, believe me.) Because of immunizations, we no longer have no deal with many childhood diseases. My oldest had pertussis (whooping cough) before she was immunized and it was very scary...at that point, I knew I would never turn down a tried and tested immunization for my children.

5. If someone's sick...no contact. Try to prevent getting your own self sick by eating well, getting enough rest, etc.

Congratulations!!

clean the house before she arrives at the house. limit her expose to different people. ask if anyone is sick when visiting. hand washing constantly.
all that and more and you still can't control preventing kids from getting sick :(

With any infant... make sure that people who may visit, are not sick, and/or wash their hands, or just don't have anyone touch/carry/handle your baby.

AND... do NOT feel bad or self-conscious, if you want to tell a person "no, don't touch my infant..." You are the Mom.
And don't feel you have to take your baby out on the town, if you don't want to and are protective.
And don't feel bad, if you tell relatives "please wash your hands first, before touching infant..."
Its okay.
And don't feel bad, if you ask someone if they are sick... or that you don't want drop-ins or visitors right away... because you don't want your infant to get sick.
No worries.
Everyone is different.
Do what you think is best.
Don't feel "pressured" to let your infant be passed around from person to person just because they want to carry the baby.
So, learn how to tell people "no." And even with Grandparents etc.
Its okay.
Remember you are the Mom.
And this is how it is, with your first baby.

In some cultures, an infant is not taken out all over the place, until 3 months old. Nothing beyond just Doctor visits etc.

My kids are late born. They were fine. But then again, I didn't take them out all over the place unnecessarily when they were infants or just born.
And I didn't take them to family Thanksgiving gatherings or on Halloween/Christmas outings around town, at that time. They were just infants, less than 3 months old.
And that is me. My kids didn't get sick as infants.
And my kids got their vaccinations.

DItto... Katie M. below.

***Make SURE that you and your partner, have booster shots for Pertussis or other things. In a baby, if they contract this, it can be very dangerous. In adults, Pertussis presents different symptoms than a baby. In a baby, Pertussis is dangerous.
And you and your partner can think about getting the Flu shot too.

Get the book: "What To Expect The First Year." Its good.

Common sense will keep your child healthy, along with vaccines and regular doctor's visits to continue she is growing properly. By the way, stop worrying - you should be focused on breastfeeding or not, keeping a healthy diet and keeping up with your doctor's visits, not being paranoid.

The thing not to do is be paranoid because all children will get sick at some time or another breastfed or not.

All moms worry but there is such a thing as too much worry and when that happens, it tends to effect you negatively and in turn it is negative for your child as well.

Be proactive, have a healthy diet, make sure she sees the Dr when she is supposed to and follow the advice of your Dr. Common sense works just fine.

I looked at your profile to get a better understanding and to answer as best as possible. This is your first baby, you have the right to ask as many questions as possible. Personally some of the moms on here offer a lot more information and better solutions than your common practice pediatrics.

Number one: you can't control every flu, cough, virus out there. It's all around and she's going to be born in the strongest flu season. But hand washing is KEY! Always wash them.

With my first son, I was very adiment about taking him out before 3 months. Never went to social gatherings, kids parties, didn't have a bunch of people over, made sure who ever was coming grandparents or aunts and uncles wasn't sick. I had a two story then. I stayed up there with the baby and who ever wanted to see him came up but NO KIDS!!!! Well, at 3.5 months he began with a series of coughs, constantly was sick. I had croup, bronchitis, pneumonia, the flu, fever, asthma, RSV, upper respiratory infections. And I didn't know why. I was so careful with always being clean. My point, they're going to get sick. He's the oldest of three brothers. I can put him into a room of a million people with thousands of different illnesses and he will not get it. My other two boys, I didn't take them out until they had their vaccines at 2 months. But that was mainly becuase of the SWINE flu was so active then. They do get sick occassionally. They both of have shared the stomack virus back and forth in a month twice. If my 3 year old gets a cold so will my 21 month old. I don't sweat it. Because I learned with my 7 year old all that time being sick has benefited him now.
Our whole house got the stomach flu last year omg, it was horrible me my husband and the two younger ones if we weren't sitting on the toilet going diahrrea we were throwing up. Most of the times it was both. My oldest never got it. Just recently about a month ago, the two younger ones again got Roseola, never did the oldest one get it. we all have had a horrible case of bronchitis, he never got it. Let her build up her immune system. Obviously don't throw her into a crowd of sick people, keep people far from a distance until she's got her vaccines. But if she gets sick fine. I don't worry about the boys getting anything any more. Because It's building their immune system.

Well, you wont totally be able to protect her all the time. I DO recommend though for you and any adult that will be around her to get vaccinated for pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis can be very dangerous to an infant, but it is very easy to vaccinate against. Ask your OB about it or you can go to a pharmacy and they may be able to give you the vaccination.

Adding to Dad on Purpose here, I'll just tell you that cleaning your house before you bring baby home will help. Breastfeeding to give baby your immunities through your breastmilk for the first 3 months will help. Not taking the baby out a lot where there are lots of people will help. A person who has a cold can give your baby that cold, just by holding him. (That happened with my first baby. I should have just said no and I was too much of a wimp.)

When people come over while the baby is little, ask them to wash their hands before handling the baby.

Good luck!
Dawn

You can't prevent it, ever. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise because they'll also have a bridge to sell you.

You can minimize some of the risks by eating healthfully during your pregnancy and when your doctor suggests getting the flu shot, get it.

Wash hands, keep your home clean and tidy, and just don't turn into a germophobe. Remember that colds and other mild illnesses are actually good for building a strong immune system. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on how to treat symptoms of colds and such naturally.

Talk to your doctor about your fears. Talk to us about specific worries. I'm glad you found this site, please always ignore any responses you don't think are meant to be helpful and continue to ask questions. My son born in April was "sicker" the next winter than my daughter born in Sept. I dont think it makes a difference what month they are born. I think they need to be exposed to germs to build up resistance. CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby and welcome to mamapedia!

I have had 2 October babies, and they didn't get sick any more or less than kids that were summer babies. At first she will have some immunities from you. But you can't control what germs come in the house unless you put her in a bubble, and some exposure is good, it helps build up an immunity. I disagree with the posters that said clean your house. Exposure is good for the baby. And believe me, my house is not clean. By the time you get to the third, Child #1 is picking the binky off the dirty floor and shoving it in baby's mouth before you can blink, and this is after coughing in her face. Just relax. She will be fine.

My son was born at the beginning of Dec. He slept in his car seat for Dec-Feb. He had a constant cold.

He could have cared-less. He was a happy, content baby. There really isn't much you can do. I breastfeed only, I have a spotless house, I always washed my hands...but my daughter was 2 at the time..and keeping a 2 year old clean is next to impossible.