New born baby and family has virus

[Wendy HS]

I have a newborn baby and my whole family has come down with a virus with diarreah. I am unsure of how to keep the baby from getting it. We are scrubbing, washing, disinfecting, but we've still all ended up with it. I am breast feeding and trying to drink a lot of water, but it just goes right through me. How do I stay hydrated and is there anything safe to take over the counter. My midwife said to take Imodium and to drink gatoraid. Is there anything else I can do to protect my little one? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Ammaarah]

Originally Posted by Wendy HS

I have a newborn baby and my whole family has come down with a virus with diarreah. I am unsure of how to keep the baby from getting it. We are scrubbing, washing, disinfecting, but we've still all ended up with it. I am breast feeding and trying to drink a lot of water, but it just goes right through me. How do I stay hydrated and is there anything safe to take over the counter. My midwife said to take Imodium and to drink gatoraid. Is there anything else I can do to protect my little one? Thanks for any suggestions.

I'd minimize the people who touch the baby. If you can be the only one until the virus runs its course, that would probably be best. I hope baby escapes it - my husband and I got sick several times in our daughter's first year and she was always the healthy one!

Immodium might be OK if you just can't manage the diarrhea, but I think letting your body rid yourself of whatever it's trying to get rid of might be a good course of action. When I've taken Immodium, I end up constipated and feel awful from that. Do force down the Gatorade as much as you can, and anything else that sits OK for you. Chia seeds can add bulk to your stools too. I hope you are all better soon!

[DreamsInDigital]

Breastfed newborns are pretty well protected from getting sick, especially when mom's the first one to catch it. I wouldn't worry about it too much other than making sure that anyone who is sick with it washes their hands well before touching the baby and doesn't kiss the baby on the mouth.

For you, staying hydrated is crucial. Don't hesitate to get medical attention if your symptoms don't improve within a few days.

[rhiOrion]

My husband and I both came down with a stomach virus when DD was 2 weeks old (and I'd already had one at 38 weeks pregnant, how unfair is THAT?!)

I think DD got a tiny case of it, but I'm not even sure.

The midwives told me to stay hydrated, and to not take immodium for at least a couple days, if possible. That the puking/diarrhea is getting rid of the virus from your body.

However, being dehydrated trumps all of that.

[Panserbjorne]

I agree that the baby is generally well protected from the antibodies you're producing and passing via breastmilk.

For mama I'd suggest pascalite or calcium bentonite clay (which acts similarly to immodium but allows the body to move the toxins along.) That and nat mur cell salts with bioplasma added to water and sipped throughout the day to prevent hydration. I'd also increase vitamins A and D for a few days.

The last thing which works really well, but it's more difficult to get ahold of is sangre de drago. Excellent for vomiting/diarrhea bugs.

[Ammaarah]

If you can't hang onto any liquid, don't hesitate to go to the hospital and get a couple bags of IV fluids.

[KempsMama]

The "power" of breastfeeding is an amazing protection. When DS2 was six weeks old, DS1 came down with an awful stomach virus, then a nasty one called herpatic stomatosis, then I came down with a really nasty case of HFM. The baby never got sick. Last week DS1 got pink eye and a cold, the baby hasn't gotten sick yet. Knock on wood.

Now if I could just get DS1 to stop getting sick. But that's what happens when you have other people's kids running through your house all the time.