The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

My DD is 3 months old. All the media attention about the swine flu is making me very apprehensive about taking her places. For example, hearing that a sixth grader just died really upsets me.
And, a couple weeks ago the news that an 11 week old infant died truly sent me over the edge.
What would you do if presented with the following situations??

1. My MIL wants me to bring my DD to her rather large office building so that she can show her off to her coworkers. The thing is she wants me to come in by next Friday bc she is going to be working somewhere else. I am nervous about bringing her to an office where approx. 30 women will want to hold and handle her. Offices are breeding grounds for germs. Am I being crazy about not wanting to go?

2. We were invited to a 1st bday party in Cape Cod. The party will be outside in our friends' yard. We have to take a ferry to get there. I really want to go but am nervous about traveling. I don't want to stop living my life because I'm nervous about the stupid swine flu. What should I do?? HELP!
I never thought I would turn into a mom who is worried about every little thing but I have!!! I guess it's part of being a new mom!

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

You will be alright. I will admit when it first started I was so nervous. I deliver my son right in the heart of it all. I didn't want to stay in the hospital at all. That was all everyone was talking about. I don't have any advice for you but take your baby places when you feel ready.

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

the cape cod party sounds great you should totally go...just be careful on the ferry and since the party is outdoors you'll be fine...

the office co workers thing is a little more "ehhh" if you're comfortable with your MIL like that, i would explain to her how utterly terrified you are of putting your DD in an environment like that and ask your MIL to be the sanitary police and ask that everyone be super clean when touching her. if you're not cool with your MIL like that, maybe explain it to DH? worst case scenario just say no and move on...but i agree, the office is a risky one.

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

I would not let anyone I don't know touch my baby or get all up in her face, but by 3 months, I took her to places where there were plenty of people.

That said, you have to do what you are comfortable with. You have that right.

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

Its really a personal decision and what you are comfortable with.

I would probably go to the party, keep the baby in the stroller

The office is a bit tougher, i probably would not as of now, (i still havent and md DD is 5 months) but people are always running around my office sick and are quite inconsiderate of that.

If you did decide to go to the office, keep the baby in the stroller and let your MIL know ahead of time that you dont want anyone holding the baby.

HTH

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

totally reasonable...
'
i was watching the show The Doctors the other day- and a person wrote in- that they cant stand when people ask them to take their shoes off entering a house... the doctor said- their house their rules- that its not rude... so
YOUR BABY, YOUR RULES-

I wouldnt take a baby into an office..people are sick all the time at work. Ladies in the office will see the baby and want to grab him. I was telling my coworker how ds was in the icu with breathing problems- and she starts saying- when i come home wants to come over to see the baby and hopes i'll let her hold him( UMMM this is the office that durring my pregnancy every month i was getting sick from other people coughing around me, and she was one of the people sick multiple times)... how about taking a small video of baby and uploading it to youtube so she can show her coworkers?

For the cape cod party... i think its a matter how comfortable you feel. We have been keeping our under house arrest outside of walks for fresh air so he doesnt get sick and back in the icu.. but the doctors said when he reaches 8 weeks he's alot improved, and the 2 month shots will then really help him out(which are a week later for us)... At that point I would feel comfortable taking to a party- but it would have to be a party where I know people arent sick- like a family party where i could ask ahead of time- and if I got there and people were sick- i'd be bringing him home.... so i might be a bit leary of a party farther away- but then again if you dont know everyone then its easier to keep baby away from more people- I have one of those bug nets for the infant carrier- it has helped keep people away when we take him for walks

Message edited 6/12/2009 3:39:28 PM.

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

Your baby you have to be comfortable. Ds was a preemie so I was a little crazy once I finally let people see him. I don't remember when I brought him to my moms work but she knew to warn everyone not to touch him. I never took him out of his carseat. In the end it's your decision and your mil should understand whatever you choose.

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

I am crazy too and DD is 6 mths old.

I would NOT go to the office. They will hoard her, and be all over her. NO way.

The trip sounds fine, really does. I would go to that.

I know what you mean. I dont want to be overprotective but I am having a hard time NOT being that, esp due to the Swine flu.

I really do understand.

Re: The Swine Flu is making me CRAZY!! (LONG)

Thank you ladies!
We just booked the trip to Cape Cod....still up in the air about the office!