He tells us not to let children of school age around my baby because they carry the most germs during cold and flu season. Does anyone elses Dr. says the same thing? I have a six year old niece and my sister is mad at me because I said they have to wait to visit. My Dr. says if my baby gets a fever above 100.4 in the first 2 or 3 months of life they must admit her to the hospital and perform a bunch of test including a lumbar tap. He says it is necessary because they must rule out more serious illness that could've caused the fever. Am I being anal about keeping the school age kids away?
2007-03-21 15:58:35 · 17 answers · asked by cgm 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I'm a neonatal nurse and your doctor is right. I think it would be ok to allow the child to come see your baby just to say hi and start a bond. The child should come roll up his or her sleeves and wash his or her hands with soap before seeing the baby. Limit any touching and then let the child know that they can spend more time with the baby when the baby gets a little bit bigger. Explain to the child that the baby is too young to play right now, but will love to spend more time with him/her this summer. Your baby is vulnerable to germs, esp rotavirus and RSV, but one visit with CLEAN HANDS should be ok just to say "hi". Actually, you and anyone else (adults) who touch your baby or are in your house should be diligent about cleaning their hands at all times. That is where germs live!! Also, avoiding crowded places such as shopping malls and even church are a good idea with a new baby- too many people with dirty hands who are coughing and sneezing...
Congrats on your new baby.
2007-03-21 16:45:03 · answer #1 · answered by emmers 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Was your baby a preemie? If your baby was a preemie, the rules are a little different. I am having my 5th child and my Pediatrician has never said that! I would just be careful about having sick children around. When your baby is born, he/she should have antibodies to protect them also. I would be careful, but you don't have to be extreme!! I have never ever heard that if your baby's fever is above 100.4 that they will have to admit them into the hospital and do a lumbar tap. By the way, you can still get the flu if you have had the flu shot! My children did and also your baby can catch an illness from anywhere. It doesn' t have to be someone that you come in direct contact with.
2007-03-21 23:26:51 · answer #2 · answered by BeThAnY 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your baby was born with any health problems that affected his/her immune system, then your doctor is right. It is very easy for babies to get sick during cold and flu system, and limiting the number of visitors is a good idea. However, your family is going to want to see the baby. You need to tell them that if they have been exposed to any illness, or if they are starting to feel ill, that they need to wait to visit. Also, anyone who comes to see the baby should wash their hands when they come into the house. School age children are exposed to just as many germs as the rest of us are, except that they are more likely to not wash their hands and touch things that are not clean. However, I have seen many adults that could use a lesson in hygiene. It is best to be over-cautious then under-cautious, but if you take some precautions, there is no reason why your niece can't visit.
2007-03-21 23:13:32 · answer #3 · answered by Mia1385 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My Doctor told me the exact same thing when my son was born. She said not to take him into any public place where there could be a crowd and to limit visitors and to not take him around anyone who could be sick.
Babies are born WITHOUT an immune system. The first few weeks they still have the anti-bodies from your body, but after that...they are working to develop immunities on their own.
If I were in your shoes, I would call my sister and ask if her daughter has had a flu shot this year, if she has been feeling sick at all, or if there are a large amount of kids in her class who are sick (we are having a TERRIBLE flu this year) If everything seems alright, I would let her come over to see my baby as long as I made sure the little girl washed her hands and didn't kiss the baby on the face.
Hope that helps.
2007-03-21 23:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by western b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, probly, when I was just 3 days old I was out on a baseball field, out in the dust an dirt and all sorts of school aged kids were around and holding me and touching me...I have a pretty weak immune system, but that is my fault from the past few years, not anything that happened when I was little because I had a VERY strong immune system just, even, a couple years ago. I am sure that for a month, maybe, but certainly not three months. One of the teachers at my school had a baby in July and that baby was at school with us from the beginning, all the time and still is. She sat in class, students held her during class (private school, student # total k-12=43...). She is the happiest, healthiest baby I ever seen. I am sure that it will be alright if your neice comes to visit.
2007-03-21 23:27:32 · answer #5 · answered by JesusLovesMe! 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe a little, but it's your decision to make. I completely understand wanting to keep germy kids away from a new baby. I always tell my kids to keep away from new babies because my kids touch everything and pick up lots of germs. I've never heard about all those tests for a little fever, but your doctor knows what he's doing. Your niece can wait. Do what you feel is right and your sister will forget about it when she holds that precious baby.
2007-03-21 23:11:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't go as far as refusing your family members completely. Especially if you are breastfeeding, as you will provide the antibodies according to what you and your baby are exposed to.
That being said, I would have the children change clothes and wash their hands really well before they can come see the baby. Limit the visits to an hour, and I wouldn't allow anyone who is sick or been around sick people to come over. Its only a couple of months. It shouldn't be too big of a deal.
2007-03-21 23:43:00 · answer #7 · answered by teagansmummy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are only being safe, my doctor even went as far as to say that my baby shouldn't go to malls either until after 8 weeks of age. Just tell your family your concern and that you all need time to adjust. If she insists on visiting, make sure her kids wash their hands well and do not have any sign of a cold.
Congrats!
2007-03-21 23:10:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nope. My doctor told me the same thing when both of my children were born. It's for your baby's well being to keep her from becoming ill with something that she may not be vaccinated against yet. Tell your sister to calm down. The baby is not going anywhere.
2007-03-21 23:10:30 · answer #9 · answered by camiasia2000 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, having school aged children around your newborn can be dangerous. Its RSV and Ritavirous season and those viruses can kill an infant. My friend has 3 kids and one infant and her poor 9 month old has had RSV and Ritavirous twice in a months time from the germs of the one child who goes to school. Be careful.
2007-03-21 23:09:12 · answer #10 · answered by LP's Mommy, RN 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋