How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

My boss just told me his daughter has the swine flu. I only work p/t so the last I was hear Thursday. Apparently she did not become symptomatic until Saturday. He is not showing any symptoms so he came into work today. We work in different rooms and both spray lysol and use purell often but I am nervous to bring something home to the baby who is only 9 weeks.

There was also someone in TJ's nursery school (the class before his) that came down with swine flu last week but since no other parents have reported anything so they dont think it has spread.

I am not so worried about TJ b/c he is 2 1/2 and can get tamiflu god forbid he come down with the flu. I am worried about passing on germs to the baby. I dont even take him out anymore after the fever and hospital a couple of weeks ago.

Are you doing anything different?

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

I am so paranoid about the baby getting the flu.

It's really out of our control, but I am limiting visitors, no kids around the baby, and cleaning Jack's hands all the time. I also strip him down when he gets home from school and change his clothes. That's really all I can do.

Would love some other suggestions though!

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

Posted by Diana1215

My DH wanted me to actually throw him in the shower - but I said in no way is that possible with two kids now. I'm lucky I get to take a shower myself some days!

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

I am wiping surfaces down...including door handles and light switches with disinfectant wipes. Don't forget the remote control too! I am washing my hands often and got vaccinated for both seasonal and h1n1. DH was only vaccinated for seasonal (trying to find a place for him to get h1n1 shot). I am also airing out the apartment on nice days and washing our hands for 15 seconds and using purell before we touch the baby. We are also not having any visitors. When I was pregnant I came very close to having exposure to swine flu because the child did not get any symptoms until later that night. Truth is no one knows what they are carrying and everything starts out as the sniffles.

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

I got ds vax'd for both seasonal and H1N1. Dh and I both got seasonal but can't seem to get our hands on H1N1. We wash our hands and ds's constantly. I also nurse dd so I am hoping that will help protect her. Oh and I am not letting any children hold the baby anymore. It's just too risky. My nieces will be upset but they will have to deal with it.

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

Ryan had Flu A (likely Swine) last week. How he got it I don't know - he's been in daycare since 6 months and stopped going for 2 wks and hasn't been out of the house and ends up with it

So, needless to say, Colin has been exposed. My hands are ready to fall off from washing and we kept them apart as much as possible.

My ped told me, likely the only reason Ryan didn't pass it to Colin is because I'm nursing.

Unfortunately, they are apparently the day before they are symptomatic - so Ryan was contagious early last week before he had a fever. Luckily, he doesn't handle Colin at all - but it's an airborne virus - so that doesn't help much.

So, I do a lot of praying

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

I read an article from Dr Oz about this.

Here is some of it(its geared towards adults but you can apply what applies )

Take Vitamin D Vitamin D is produced in the body during exposure to sunlight. During the winter we tend to get less exposure so vitamin D supplements are recommended. People who take vitamin D supplements have better luck avoiding the seasonal flu; there is no reason to think that it won't do the same for H1N1 virus. Flu outbreaks tend to occur in places where solar radiation is low.

Stay hydrated During the winter months we have a tendency to lose fluids when our heated homes and dry air rob us of moisture. You'll know if you are hydrated if your urine is a clear pale yellow. Dark yellow is a sign that your urine is concentrated and you need to drink more.

Get out in open space Cold weather usually brings us indoors, sometimes in close proximity to a crowd of people who may be unknowingly infected. Spend some time outdoors and get some fresh air.

Keep fit Aerobic activity improves the exchange of oxygen to keep the immune system strong and lungs clear. Just remember to wipe down equipment at the gym before and after using.

Eat your greens … and blues and oranges … Dark and colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with immune boosting phytochemicals. Plant a rainbow on your plate and dig in!

Eat probiotics Probiotics are the good live bacteria found in fermented food products such as yogurt and soy products like miso and tempeh Eating these foods not only promotes the natural balance of healthy bacteria important for digestive health, it can stimulate the production of immune fighting chemicals from cells found in the gut.


ETA: my babies are not as young as yours but did have RSV as infants and were preemies so they have a slightly higher risk.

I am keeping their noses moist with saline. I cover them with their sunshades when we go out and quickly move away from anyone sneezing or coughing. I give them yogurt with live cultures at almost every meal. I wash my hands constantly-after going out, before feeding them etc. I also keep hand sanitizer in my car and my purse which I use when I get back in the car since I am touching them to get them in and out of their car seats. FYI-hand sanitizer must be at least 60% alcohol to be effective

Message edited 11/16/2009 12:36:37 PM.

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

also wanted to suggest that you moisturize a lot. germs get get in through broken down skin

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

Re: How are you protecting your newborn/infant from the flu?

we really just plan on staying home alot more this winter since #2 will be here in january... ds isnt in play groups or daycare due to the fact that i have no energy.. if we go shopping i use a cart cover and if we eat out i have a high chair cover..


while handgels are great you arent supposed to use them more then 3-4 times in a row without washing with soap and water inbetween....

i did purchase the toddler wipes for ds so i can wipe his hands when out


i have a strict no kissing on the face with ds rule which will now be enforced even more....