Dad has a cold around 4 week old son

[mangopaco]

Hey folks,

I have a four week old son, who is nursing like a beast and growing by the minute - he's doing really well.

I am a public school teacher and seemed to have picked up a cold. What should I be doing to prevent baby from catching it?

Can I hold him? Definitely going to refrain from nuzzling and kissing. But should I keep my distance, sleep on the couch? My wife definitely needs my help so I don't want to quarantine myself too much.

Any advice is welcome.

[danipoppins]

make out with your wife. seriously. she'll make antibodies and babe will get them through breastmilk. she should probably be taking some vitamin C and other immune boosters to not only help prevent her getting sick, but so he can get those through breastmilk as well.

otherwise, I see no reason you can't hold him and be around him, but you should probably refrain from too much close facial contact for a bit anyway. maybe set up your sleeping so that mom is between you and baby? most nursing babies don't catch stuff and when they do, it's usually a lot milder for them because of the antibodies in breastmilk.

hope you feel better soon!

[sillygrl]

I wouldn't worry too much. Mama's probably already been exposed and has started making antibodies for the lil man. I got sick many times with littles but I had to keep on going and nursing. I am with the pp, it wouldn't hurt for her to take some supplements to boost immunity. He'll get those, too.

[liliaceae]

I wouldn't worry either. Just wash your hands frequently and don't sneeze on him.