Mama's who've had their babies...

[highlandmum]

Are you super freaked about the swine flu? I can't help it...I am. I can't find any info on how babies (esp. newborns) fare if they contract it. We are doing what we can to avoid getting it of course, but we still have to live our lives and I'm scared that we'll all get it, and of course am scared about how the baby will fare if he gets it.
Any thoughts? Anyone heard of a baby having it yet?

[kjs]

I am more scared of vaccine related side effects than H1N1. I think the key is to get my other two kids to wash their hands WHENEVER they want to hold baby, as well as ANY guests. This may be a challenge, but it is necessary. There was some research in the UK as well as Canada that links the H1N1 vaccine to a rare nerve disorder that can cause paralysis. So, it is not an option for us- however I am anti-vaccine in general, and it is a very hard choice that only we can make as individuals. What a bummer we even have to worry about these things at such a great time. (I am due in 6 days)

[highlandmum]

yeah, we aren't getting the vax either, and you're totally right--it sucks to worry about it now!

[Pookietooth]

As long as you are breastfeeding exclusively, your baby should be protected -- at least that was my experience. Generally, you will get sick before the baby and your antibodies will then pass on to the baby. I would stay home as much as possible. Nearly all traditional cultures have a period of around a month to six weeks where the mom stays home and is cared for the women of the community. Not that we have that here anymore, but it's a good idea to try to simulate it however we can.

[mysticmomma]

Not even on my radar.

[Therese's Mommy]

I haven't had my baby yet, but I am not worried about it. We are being careful to wash hands and be smart. I think that it has been blown out of proportion in many ways, but it has helped to remind me that we need to be careful about illness. It has really brought to the forefront of my mind that we just need to be smart about hand washing, eating well, and getting proper rest. I am also super glad that I am homebirthing since I have seen that alot of hospitals are restricting visitors and such. That would not fly with me.

[Bromache]

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy

I haven't had my baby yet, but I am not worried about it. We are being careful to wash hands and be smart. I think that it has been blown out of proportion in many ways, but it has helped to remind me that we need to be careful about illness. It has really brought to the forefront of my mind that we just need to be smart about hand washing, eating well, and getting proper rest. I am also super glad that I am homebirthing since I have seen that alot of hospitals are restricting visitors and such. That would not fly with me.

This is pretty much how I feel, too. Fortunately, we are all very healthy and rarely catch viruses anyway, so I'm assuming Jonah will be the same way. *knock on wood* We'll just be a bit more prudent with the handwashing after being out in public, and see what happens.

[Kedrosami]

Yeah, not worried about it at all. Baby and I are staying home as much as possible without many visitors & we will make sure everyone washes hands before holding him. Also breastfeeding.

We don't bother with flu vaccines and I haven't had any kind of flu in the past 12 years, so I'm not too concerned. I'd probably be more worried if we had older children who were in school.

[boobs4milk]

yes i'm worried about it. we have 6 other kids all in public schools and dh's kids seem to always have a cough. my 14 yr old and 3 yr old dd's have had a cold recently and i didn't get it but have been on pins and needles waiting for it. i'm so run down i figured i'd get it. i have been taking extra vit c, iron, vit d, zinc, calcium, magnesium and doubling up on my prenatal for amelia's osteopenia so maybe that has helped.

i am really having a hard time figuring out which vax to get and which to put off. we will NOT get any flu vax, though so not even worried about that. i just hope that since she is getting my breastmilk, both from the tap and in bottles with her fortifier, that i will give her the immunity she needs.

[lil_stinkyfeet]

Not really specifically afraid of the swine flu. I am concerned about my older kiddos bringing something home to the baby. DS#2 had Rsv at 5 weeks and had to be hospitalized

[firewoman]

I'm not super worried about it, but I am taking normal precautions to reduce exposure to all viruses and also to boost everyone's immune systems. My DH and oldest son caught a cold last week. I got a tiny sore throat one night but it went away, even with the lack of sleep and healing my body is going through. I credit that to taking REALLY good care of myself nutritionally.

I would keep baby in the house, but I would do that even if the swine flu wasn't a concern. There is no reason to have a brand new baby out and about grocery shopping and such for at least the first 30 days and then after that wear them in a wrap and don't allow people to touch.

[highlandmum]

I dont take the baby out anywhere, but I'm concerned because dd1 is in preschool and ballet, and my MIL works w/ kids, and my BIL is a teenager (swine flu is REALLY bad here right now, esp. in our schools and high school in particular)...and so on and so on...and these are all people who have continual contact w/ me and my kids...and I can't 'ban' them from seeing us, y/k? That is what concerns me....

[brinalicious]

After our baby was born they thought I might have swine flu, which would potentially spread to the baby. Luckily that didn't turn out to be the case, but nobody knew exactly what they would have done if she did get the flu at such a young age. I spoke at length with our pediatrician and an infectious disease specialist about it and it sounded like they would not treat the baby with an anti-retroviral, but that they might give me the anti-retroviral which I would then pass on through the breastmilk to her. They also said that breastfeeding is the best thing you can do to protect your baby, even if you get sick.

We had such a scare with the possibility of having the flu or some other virus that we will be more cautious that usual with this baby. My DH, two sons, and I will all be getting vaccinated against flu A and H1N1 to protect ourselves and our new baby. I've spent enough time in hospitals with fevers and viruses (which you can read about in my birth story) that I am just not willing to take any chances. Ordinarily, though, I wouldn't normally be so concerned.

[Charlize]

There have been several cases of H1N1 in my area since DD3's birth, including one that ended in a four year old passing from it. I'm exclusively breastfeeding DD3 and hoping I can continue doing so to protect her, but I've been thinking of the vaccine for me and DD1 and DD2. DH will have to get the vaccine since he's military as well as a first responder.

I received the flu shot right before I left the hospital with DD3. DD1 and DD2 will be having their flu shots very soon. And DH has already taken the flu mist.

I'm not usually big on getting vaccinated against the flu, but with a new baby in the house, I want to do everything possible to protect her.