I got a cold and my 3 month old daughter shares a bed with me?

Question

how can i stop her from getting sick? also how can i stop my ears from being clogged i can't clear it!!

Answer 1

If you have a cold, your daughter will be exposed to the virus, and there is not a whole lot you can do to prevent that. You're just in too much contact to completely prevent the virus from being passed.

One thing on your side is that breast milk is rich in antibodies and can help prevent her from getting sick.

As for your ears, you might try rinses and such. I would probably talk to your doctor about antihistamines to reduce any inflamation.
Steam baths are good, a hot bowl of water and a towel over your head will help clear things out.

My grandmother had a recipe with hot lemonade, honey, and a bit of whiskey. It helped clear the head and helped sleep as well.

Some people (and I agree) that keeping children away from all germs is actually doing them a disservice as exposure to germs helps the body to build antibodies. I'm not saying to intentionally let a child become ill, but we tend to be a bit overprotective of late with products that kill 99.5% of germs all over the house. It's actually good for a kid to occasionally eat a bit of dirt outside or to come in contact with everyday pathogens. It actually helps to build a healthy immune system.

--Dee

Answer 2

You can't stop her from getting sick. If you are breastfeeding, your body will make antibodies that will boost her immunity to illnesses you or she might get. Co-sleeping has little to do with it. You are holding her during the day anyway and breathing near her even when she's awake, so the most you can do is support her immune system and take care of yourself so that you can heal.

As for your ears, you may need to see a doctor. A hot water bottle over your ear can help ease discomfort.

Answer 3

If your baby's breastfed she may be just fine. Breast milk has WILD immunity boosting properties!!

Otherwise wash your hands LOTS and obviously try to avoid breathing/coughing on her (I know you wouldn't cough on your baby awake, but I'm thinking of while you're asleep...) Like your Mom always said "cover your mouth when you cough!!"

Try not to kiss her too much while you're sick (I kiss my sweet baby all the time!) If she takes a soother, then try to remind yourself not to pop it in your mouth and hand it back if it drops. (Come on... we ALL do it!!) I know your baby's young, but this also goes for sharing a spoon and other stuff that you might do just out of habit.

About your ears I don't know what to tell you... have you tried all the old standards like holding your nose and gently blowing? Chewing gum? Yawning? Drinking hot fluids? If you're not breastfeeding you might be able to take a decongestant... if you are BF-ing then your Doctor can tell you if anything's safe to take. I actually put one of those warm "Magic bags" on my head (or lay on it) sometimes when my ear was sore.

Ear infections often follow colds. (Ears, nose and throat are all inter-connected.) You might need antibiotics. I've had a couple recently as an adult and they are certainly a good reminder of what your kids go through if they have them!! I'd forgotten how painful they can be!! If you're in pain or if there's a great deal of pressure I'd see a doctor asap. (But then I also have a weak eardrum that's actually perforated several times, and that's NO fun, so I take ear stuff pretty seriously.)

In my case a couple winter's ago I had 3 ear infections back-to-back. The antibiotics I took for the first ear infection actually CAUSED a fungal infection (like a yeast infection) in my ear. The pressure from that preforated my eardrum and then led to ANOTHER ear infection because it was open... YUCK!! I had to see a specialist a few times and she vacuumed my ear out. (Plus she told me because it was fungal and my eardrum was open there were no medicated drops that I could put in there. I had to use a vinegar & water solution and put it in my ear with a syringe... If you've ever had an open sore and put even diluted vinegar on it you'll know how THAT went. I said some TERRIBLE things about that doctor the only night I tried it.)

Having a perforated eardrum can REALLY affect your hearing. I could barely hear my alarm clock in the morning if I was sleeping on my okay ear. If you're co-sleeping take your ear seriously!!! You don't want to not be able to hear your baby well in the night.

Take care and feel better!

Answer 4

Sounds like the makings of ear infections.

Not sharing the bed is a start towards preventation of passing the cold on to her. But at 3 months of age, her immune system isn't strong enough to fight off catching a cold.

Ha, wait until she's old enough to be in day care. Now THERE'S a fun time ........ NOT!!!!

Answer 5

get one of those masks to prevent you from directly breathing on her. I know that sounds funny but I'll wear a welding mask before i try to get her sick . Wash your hands constantly before holding her. when you blow your nose, anything like that, wash those hands really good. but you need to concentrate on getting yourself well so you won't spread it to her because their immune system isn't that great yet. Wash those sheets too, and change them if you have some extra linen. Luckily my baby didn't get sick with colds and ear infections around 15 months, so I think I did a damn good job keeping her from getting sick. As far as your ears, use a q-tip, or hold the palm of your hand to your ear and use it like a suction by pressing your palm into your ear, that helps for me... never hurts to try.

Answer 6

If you can avoid breathing on her as much as possible it will help. Also, don't kiss her on the mouth. Wash your hands often, especially after sneezing. She's pretty resilint to you though and as a mother you just do what you have to do.