Visiting a newborn when you have a cold/flu

Normally I would tell anyone who walked through my hospital door that had a cold or the flu to just turn around and leave without saying a word or touching a thing. The problem I have though is that the people I would be saying that to this time are my DH, my children and my parents - who will be looking after my children and therefore bringing them to the hospital for me after birth to meet their sister. Oh, and myself!

In all likelihood I still have a week or so before this will become an issue, but having seen how long it seems to linger (DD1 has been sick for two weeks now on and off), I'm not confident that we will all be lurgy free before #3 arrives.

Not kissing bubs on the face is something we can obviously do to minimise germ transfer. Not coughing directly on her, washing hands after blowing noses etc. Is there anything else we can do, because refusing access in this particular situation is obviously just not possible. I realise that she is going to be exposed to germs, especially with both the girls at school, but it seems particularly bad when she is only minutes/hours old

THanks.

Hand washing. On arrival, on departure, and when you get home. For all of you. It makes a huge difference.

I hope you make it through! Sounds awful.

I think you have all your bases covered. Definately what Audax said - handwashing on arrival is vital and should be considered when handling a newborn anyway. This week I'd try to get your family as well as possible, chances are they will be fine when bubs arrives (fx!). Are you planning on breastfeeding b/c this will help with bubs immunity against that type of thing.

could you get some of that antibacterial gel? that might be a bit more practical for everyone so you're not constantly washing hands after coughing, blowing noses, etc. which may be quite often?
other than that i cant think of anything to help other than restricting who actually holds your next bubba, and asking how long they've been sick and what with if its people other than your immediate family

I expect people to tell me if they have a cold, and if they have then to stay away till they're better. They'll get their chance to see the new baby. I was the victim of undisclosed sickness and had a baby who was sick and fluey for about 6 weeks from 2 weeks of age. Her attachment has never been the same since those first two weeks, because the havoc on her sinuses tightened up her jaw muscles.
I only allowed my partner and DS to hold DD, after my wishes when DS was born were disregarded. But S&BiL didn't think to keep their snotty DD from leaping over and planting a snotty kiss on my 2 week old baby. I hope to have no offended faces if I go again and ban close contact for 4 weeks!
I'd be wearing bubs in a close fitting sling, like a HAB, for four weeks, so that the people who come near are people you can be bothered taking her out for, and people you feel confident don't have lurgies.
You regret letting people hold more than you regret NOT letting them hold. Believe me.

Handwashing and proper disposal of tissues are the best things you can do. You could also start taking ecinacea to boost your own immune system. The best thing you can do of course is to breastfeed your little one and protect them that way. If baby does get a cold then breastmilk or saline squirted down the nose before a feed helps. My 2nd son got a nasty cold at 7 days old and whilst it was not fun, we got through it and he seemed to have a very strong immune system after that.

Hand washing no kissing and I second using the hospitals antibacterial rub when in hospital, its generally more effective. Unfortuntaelt if your girls are anything like mine five seconds after washing hands they will be touching their faces/noses etc. If my girls are sick I let them touch bubbas toes to try and reduce the ricks of spreading bugs when they want a touch

The good thing is they will have some of your immunity to it if you have had it and if you are breastfeeding the colostrum will also give them coverage.

I hope everyone is feeling better

Could you ask the adults at least to wear those face masks?

As above and I now it sounds silly but could the girls wear those hospy masks? You could get them to decorate them or something before hand but will keep them from breathing too close to bub?? Might be tricky though! Lots of anti-b hand sanitizer. Good luck hun and I can't wait to hear your news!

All of us (dh, dd and i) got sick around the time ds was born but thankfully he didn't get it. sounds like you know all the right things to reduce the chances of passing it on. hopefully you can kick the lurgy's butt before baby arrives.

People always ask me why nurses don't get sick all the time seeing they are surrounded by sick people. I always say hand washing.
I'd also get some of that hand wash gel

Hugs

get people to cough into the crook of their elbow, instead of their hands.

i would encourage the people with colds to LOOK at your bub, not HOLD your bub.

facemasks sounds a good idea too.

YOu need that initial time with your nb to establish bf-ing etc, not have to deal with a nb with a cold (or you as well with a cold). What awful timing. All those people will get to have lots of cuddles AFTER they have gotten over their colds.

Put yourself and bubs first, your nb is only a nb for such a short time. Congrats btw!

Thanks ladies. I'll definitely be keeping anyone who isn't our immediate family away, so it will be just us and the girls I need to worry about. I have a ring sling I will use for school drop offs and pick ups but am planning to use the ergo with insert for the first few weeks because then I can use the excuse of it being too damn hard to get her in and out for cuddles. Otherwise, I've never had an issue in simply telling people that no, they can't hold my baby.

I have already packed a big bottle of antiseptic hand stuff.

Traveller - is it ok for me to take ecinacea now? I will be breastfeeding so I'm hoping even though we've all got the plague my little girl will be ok.

Sararose - that's a great idea of limiting contact to toes.

I'm so torn - I know I need to do the right thing by my new baby, but I am also aware I have to be careful of not causing jealousy issues with my DDs. Ahhhh. These things were so much easier to deal with when DD2 was born and DD1 was still a baby herself!!

If it's any help it would be extremely unlikely that a breastfed newborn would get a cold or flu. they will have immunity from you and through your milk when you are feeding. Your body will make antibodies to the germs you are in contact with

I wouldn't take ecinacea just yet but once bub is out it should be safe

Thanks Barb. That's reassuring to know.

Trav - thanks lovely. I think we'll all bathe in it once this bub is born!

all that yummy colostrum should help bubs stay clear of anything. And just make sure you are getting rest, eating and drinking well, to keep the bugs at bay. When my winter bub was born her sisters and father (a school teacher) were exposed to many bugs had them but never passed them on. Handwashing is a great idea and not breathing all over bub (easier said then done)
A note on echinacea, I have been told not to use this whilst breastfeeding or pregnant. I would get advice off a trusted naturopath on that before you consider taking it. Many health food stores and pharmacy's will sell anything over the counter without really knowing much about the product.


Goodluck with your little bundle... I love having three girls!

Probably why your baby is late it's waiting for you to all be better :)

Not sure what my babies excuse is lol

Hun, I would try not to stress too much about it. My DS1 came in to visit us on day 2. The minute I cuddled him I could tell he had a fever. So I sent him and DH straight off to see the GP. Turned out he had tonsilitis (super infectious). I was devastated. I spoke to both my OB and the Paed and they both said that I should still have him come visit despite being sick. Their take on the situation was that we were already in the germiest possible place - a hospital and operating theatre. Also, because I was breastfeeding they felt that the colostrum should provide him with added protection. Obviously we took precautions, hand sanitiser and no kisses, but DS2 didn't catch anything. HTH

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Probably why your baby is late it's waiting for you to all be better :)

Not sure what my babies excuse is lol

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Keeping mine company?!?!? Or maybe your baby wants "the title" for the latest of May bubs? Either way, I wish they'd both hurry up ;-)

Thanks Miss E.

I figure hospitals are full of germs anyway hun so I wouldn't stress too much. Definitely get the girls and anyone else to wash hands and use hand sanitiser etc. Apart from that there isn't much else you can do?!

I wish she'd hurry up too lol! Busting for her to arrive!