What are some things that I can do to make sure my newborn stays healthy ?

Question

and to make sure that she does not get the flu? What if she is around people who don't have the immunization for the flu shot. She is just a week old today. Can you give me some good tips to prevent germs also? Thanks

Answer 1

Breastfed, breastfeed, breastfeed!
Nursing her will allow you to pass immunities to her. Anything that she is exposed to, your body will make antibodies to it and pass them to her through the milk.

You can carry a little bottle of waterless hand cleaner and ask people to clean their hands before holding her.

Answer 2

Don't ever expose a 1 week old to the flu! That is just crazy. Doctors won't even give a baby that young a flu shot. Newborns are at high risk to RSV. You never want them around anyone who is sick. Make sure you don't go into crowded places (such as the mall) until at least a month old. Keep away from anyone coughing or sneezing. Here is a website on prevention.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry too much, don't let people touch her hands since babies are constantly putting their mouths in their hands. I was an extra paranoid first time mother - my daughter is 2 now, and she had a cold, no biggie.....but not the flu. I just kept her @ home especially during cold/wet weather and just don't let people touch her face or hands too much. Especially LITTLE KIDS!!!!!!!!!! This is the #1 thing the nurses & dr's tell you, is to keep other little kids especially sick ones away from your newborn. Other than that just get in immunizations when they come do and don't panic too much new mommy!! ;o) And yes breastfeeding is an excellant way to give her all the nutrients and antibodies she needs....i'm not so sure about the 'vegan organic raw' a little overboard to me...but to each their own, I ate fairly healthy, but not crazy and my baby never had the flu.

Answer 4

This time of year is bad for rsv,flu and other common winter sicknesses,I dont take my 4 and half month old son anywhere except the doctors and out for walks.No one is allowed to come in my house if they are sick,I have a hand sanitizer at my front door and nobody goes past it without using it.Anyone who lives in the house should get the flu shot,and anyone who will be seeing her alot like family and friends should do this for you.Its a little poke in the arm for the health of a beautiful baby.My husbands ex-wife and my stepson got their flu shots.Get some Lysol and keep door handles,taps,phones,remotes etc wiped down.Dont forget to wipe down car seat handle and your steering wheel.I know this sounds a little much and no i am not a germaphobe,but i hav a son with a heart defect and a sickness like rsv can be life threatning to him.You dont have to go to this extreme but I do.Good luck!

Answer 5

Don't take her to public places a whole lot if you don't have to be there. My ped told me that the first month should really be at home (besides going to for groceries, dr. appts etc...obviously). Like others have said breastfeeding or just breastmilk is the best immune booster. Also, wash YOUR hands like a crazy woman and get whoever holds her to wash their hands as well. You will start to sound like a broken record, but it will probably be mostly friends and family so they don't mind. Oh, and don't overuse that hand sanitizer...it's great to use but if you use it 24-7, then it doesn't work. Good Luck!

Answer 6

The absolute best thing you can do to keep her healthy is to breastfeed her for as long as possible! Other than that you must keep her away from large crowds of people, people who show syptoms of being sick, wash your hands frequently and ask those people who want to pick her up to wash their hands also. You can also get the flu shot, and although she is too young for a flu shot, you and your family members having theirs will help. While we can't keep our kids safe from all illnesses we can do our best to see they are healthy!

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy....enjoy being a mom!

Answer 7

Make sure you precious little one plays in the dirt, rolls around in the mud, and catches all the colds she can. That way her immune system will be built strong and she'll have very few illnesses when she's older.

Never use anti-bacterial soap, let her play with everyone who has colds and the flu, and you'll have a very healthy happy little girls when she's a teenager. Don't be obsessive about cleanliness. It hasn't bother the human race over the past 150,000 years, and it probably won't kill her, either.

Answer 8

Make sure that she gets here flu shot or just stay away from people who are sick with the flu. Or and another thing always wash her clothes and toys after being contact with germs.

Answer 9

Sanitize her bottles and the area you clean them in. Don't let anyone who you suspect is sick get around her. Use Lysol or other cleaners to disinfect high germ areas, like doorknobs and toilet areas. Wash your hands frequently. Be sure her clothes are washed and she is bathed properly on a regular basis. Those things should help.

Answer 10

Keep sick people away from her. Follow your doctor's advice about a flu shot. Don't keep her too bundled up - babies can get too hot. I hope you are nursing her - otherwise follow doctor's instructions about feeding.