Visitors... Flu Season?

[studentmomma]

Hello all, it's so nice to be in the homestretch... but now I'm worrying about a whole new set of issues.

What is everyone's approach to "guiding" or helping folks to - how do I say this politely - not getting my new baby or me or DH sick? What I mean is that it's flu season and everyone is excited about meeting our new ones - and people may have a hard time policing themselves.

Neither DH or I are very confrontational (he's better than me) and don't want to rub anyone the wrong way. But, it would be nice if folks would wash their hands or simply stay away until those runny noses, etc. are cleared up.

What are everyone's thoughts? Thanks so much and good labor thoughts to all of you.

[*Melissa*]

I'm in the May DDC, but I wanted to respond!

Everyone who comes in contact with your baby should be washing their hands before they touch him/her... no matter if it's flu season or not. DS was born in August - definitely not flu season here - but the first thing we said to everyone was "wash your hands" when they walked in the door.

And as for actually being sick - it would just be rude for someone to come over exposing a newborn to those germs.

I don't think you're out of line at all to request that - you're watching out for the health and safety of your baby!

[lilkat]

Oh, yeah. Anytime I've ever visited a newborn (my nephews and my baby BIL), the parents politely asked me to wash my hands before holding or touching him. I think people would definitely understand.

[~Katrinka~]

I will never forget the horrible first 3 weeks after my DS was born (in Feb). A nice relative came to visit when he was about 3 days old, and left me with the stomach flu. I guess my body was pretty worn down, because it hit me hard. I was so sick, all I did was nurse the baby and run to the bathroom, and lie in bed in a dehydrated haze. The acute illness lasted about 5 days, but I wasn't able to eat normally for another 2 weeks. It was dreadful.
If you show up at my house when my baby is a newborn, you might get greeted by the guys in white suits who will hose you down.
Don't be shy about interrogating people on whether they've been sick or think they might be coming down with something. You can always say, "his doctor says, blah blah" so the pediatrician can play the bad guy.

[MonP'titBoudain]

And wear your baby in a sling! I found people in general a LOT less likely to come too close to ds when I was wearing him then when I was holding him. You could also keep a bottle of hand sanitizer near you for visits where holding the baby is presumed (like grandmas!). Although, I always just told folks to wash their hands

[Leilalu]

Just ask them, plain and simple. To not wash your hands or not avoid coming over when sick is extremely rude and people should know better. I am no germaphobe, but I at least expect this.

Your milk should give adequate protection to the baby, but infants come out of a sterile environment. I would be really careful what the baby is first cultured with.

[watermama05]

Asking people to wash their hands is really standard IMO. I always expect it when I visit a newborn, and asked it of people when they visited us when DD was born. I also agree with wearing the baby in a sling- I wore DD constantly, and found that strangers were far less likely to touch her when we were out and about than they were my friends' babies in strollers. She seemed more part of my body I think, and thus not open to public touching the way babies are when they're more separate from their parents.

[monamcmona]

oh man!!! i've been worried about this for weeks now.
I work in an ER/Trauma center & have seen about a zillion cases of influenza A & B this year! Not to mention... i have been the one swabbing their nasty noses. I have been wearing my tuberculosis mask every time I walk in the room of a patient that has ANY symptoms that may suggest they have the flu. My biggest fear was getting sick right before baby.

BUT now I'm done w/work until after flu season & was lucky enough to get out alive!!!
I know it's out there... and I don't want ANYONE touching my baby that has sneezed in the last 24 hours.