Toddler has Coxsackie. Newborn in house

[pantrygirl]

Hi all.

I'm not sure if this is the right area to place this but this is the first place I always go to learn from other breastfeeding moms.

Our toddler has the coxsackievirus.  She's been asking to nurse to soothe her throat but with a newborn in the house, I'm weary of spreading the virus via saliva contact on the breast.

Any suggestions or tips?

We have increased her water intake and she knows that we can't nurse as much but last night she was in such discomfort all night she kept crying and asking for milk.

I know the priority now is to feed our newborn to help him grown stronger and build his immunities but how do I address our daughter's needs without her feeling as if I'm denying her something she feels and knows will soothe her discomfort?

Maybe my mommy guilt is getting the better of me.

Anyway, any advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

[dovey]

If your toddler has been nursing at all, I'd imagine that the virus would have already passed to your newborn already....but I don't know much about coxsackie.  Do you have a doctor that you can trust to ask about such questions?  Is coxsackie a dangerous problem for newborns?

Hugs!  I know this is not a fun thing to worry about!

[nathansmum]

Oh, is that hand, foot, mouth one? I really sympathise, my DS had it when DD was born and I was really hypervigilant about keeping them separate (fortunately I didn't have the breastfeeding issue to contend with) - I didn't let DS kiss his new baby sister for a few weeks :( . It's an issue in regards to a heart condition isn't it - and only in newborns? I was also concerned about faecal contamination since they shared cloth diaper inserts so was able to just put DD in sposies till the risk was over.

Sorry I can't help further. Have you spoken to your doctor about the real risk and whether you can 'disinfect' between feeds to minimise the issue?