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teaforthree
My Handsome Boy!
Member since 12/10 2549 total posts
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Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
We have 4 nephews between us and they'll all see the baby early on. They're 6 1/2, 8, 9 and 14. I'm a germaphobe. I can totally see myself tensing up. I'm not so much concerned with the 14 year old. but I feel like the younger kids are frequently sick - and sometimes it's disguised as "allergies".
Also, DH's mom is coming up from Florida and ALWAYS gets sick when she comes up. I would feel bad saying she can't hold the baby, but it's the right thing to do, right, if there's any sign of sniffles or cough?
I have a coworker whose 17 day old son died this past year from Whooping Cough, so I feel like my normal germaphobic tendencies are even more heightened.
How do you handle older kids/adults contact with baby??
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Posted 7/26/11 7:38 PM  |
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diva7531
My Peanut
Member since 2/07 5199 total posts
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Ryan 3 boys EDD 11/6!
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
If someone is visibly sick, then yes, you can ask them not to hold the baby. But good luck keeping MIL away. In my experience, nothing can keep a grandparent from their newborn grandkids.
If she does tend to get sick, you can ask her to take airborne or emergen-C as a preventative measure.
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| Posted 7/26/11 9:02 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
I keep hand sanitizer in the diaper bag at all times. My 8 year old and 6 year old niece and nephew know that they are not allowed to touch the baby without using it. Even then they know not to touch her hands. I've explained to them how fragile babies are when they are little and how easy they get sick, and they understand why they might not be able to hold her.
As far as telling MIL she's not allowed to hold the baby...that might be a bit much. I know many might jut say "to hell with that! My baby, my choice." but in the real world you don't want to hurt the feelings of your DH'a mother who just wants to hold her grandchild a little bit. Heck she might be the one to say "oh I feel like I'm coming down with something, maybe keep the baby away from me."
I think as new moms we sometimes forget that we didn't invent the wheel. People do have common sense and will recognize a newborn is susceptible to germs.
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| Posted 7/26/11 9:44 PM |
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maybemommy10
Big Brothers to Be !
Member since 2/10 3868 total posts
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
Posted by MrsPJB2007
People do have common sense and will recognize a newborn is susceptible to germs.
Not in mine and DHs family they let their little boogery infected children cough and sneeze all over the place!
To the OP, I can sympathize, I am really worried about this issue too. I don't want to come off as a raving lunatic, but more importantly I want my sons safe. It is really a hard spot to be in especially with people who think their little darlings are doing nothing wrong when they scaream to hold a newborn and then breath their germs all over them
I plan to hold my ground Everyone washes their hands, and no touching hands and face. I really do not want any children holding them at all.
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| Posted 7/26/11 10:01 PM |
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Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
I honestly would not care about hurting anyone's feelings if they are sick and try to come near my newborn. I would not want to take any chances.
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| Posted 7/26/11 10:24 PM |
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RubyWoo
Complete.
Member since 1/11 1357 total posts
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
Posted by Momma2Be
I honestly would not care about hurting anyone's feelings if they are sick and try to come near my newborn. I would not want to take any chances.
Ditto. And I don't think it'll be too hard because I don't let anybody who's sick get near me either, pregnant or not.
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| Posted 7/27/11 7:37 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
I would keep hand sanitizer handy, remind everyone to wash their hands and then to any one who looks sick or is coughing/sneezing say, "you can hold the baby when you cold passes" or what have you. I wouldn't risk it.
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| Posted 7/27/11 8:39 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
Posted by MrsPJB2007
As far as telling MIL she's not allowed to hold the baby...that might be a bit much. I know many might jut say "to hell with that! My baby, my choice." but in the real world you don't want to hurt the feelings of your DH'a mother who just wants to hold her grandchild a little bit. Heck she might be the one to say "oh I feel like I'm coming down with something, maybe keep the baby away from me."
I think as new moms we sometimes forget that we didn't invent the wheel. People do have common sense and will recognize a newborn is susceptible to germs.
You might be surprised at the number of people who try to cover up their illness to get their mits on the baby I could see my own mother doing this.
I love my MIL to pieces but if she was sick or looked sick I would still let her know that I was sorry she couldn't hold the baby right away, I just don't want to take any chances. And, this is from someone who is pretty laid back about the baby, I just don't mess with obvious illnesses.
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| Posted 7/27/11 9:05 AM |
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MelToddJulia
Love my Family!
Member since 7/05 29064 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
I don't let any of my friends or family's kids come over to see the baby, and most of them know already not too because of germs. This pregnancy wasn't planned so i'm having a winter baby (january) so I will be even more careful to tell everyone to wash there hands before holding the baby (flu season)!
I have 2 kids in school, and when they get home I will make them wash there hands and change there clothes!
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| Posted 7/27/11 9:15 AM |
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bluekat16
My boys :-)
Member since 3/09 6659 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
Posted by MrsPJB2007
I think as new moms we sometimes forget that we didn't invent the wheel. People do have common sense and will recognize a newborn is susceptible to germs.
ITA with this. I replied in the other post but I'll reply here also. Most people do have the common sense not to come near a newborn if sick. If they don't then you step in.
We have tons of family around us and everyone came to see DS#1 when he was born...all age ranges. Those who were sick didn't come by.
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| Posted 7/27/11 9:19 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
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Re: Spinoff to Toddler contact with newborn... what about older kids?
My SD is 12 and there is no way I'm going to tell her she can't hold her new little sibling. I'm sure it will be a hard enough adjustment for her so to make her feel like a giant cootie will not help the situation.
On the other hand, she is very excited to show off her new sibling to her friends. I'm planning on buying Dial soap or another strong anti-bacterial soap and just telling them they have to scrub in before they can touch the baby.
I don't know how your friend's LO got whooping cough but I can see how that would make you paranoid but I"m sure that's almost a freak thing. Keep in mind that keeping LO in a "bubble" isn't helping him out either.
As far as your MIL, that's a tricky situation. If she is visibly sick though, as with anyone else, I would definitely keep the baby away. I would hope she would voluntarily stay away if she felt she was getting sick though.
Message edited 7/27/2011 9:23:26 AM.
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| Posted 7/27/11 9:20 AM |
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