RSV season

[littleyellowhouse]

Hi all,
I'm due to give birth at the end of Nov and am currently panicking about having visitors and the risk of RSV. We have decided to limit visitors to the house however we have a toddler who everyone will want to see at Christmas. Im worried if he's exposed to lots of people there's more risk of him coming home with a cough/cold and passing it on to the newborn. My DH has suggested we just FaceTime everyone this Xmas but im worried about how they'll react. AIBU or is it okay to ask family to not see my toddler and newborn over Xmas?

Do what you think is best.

My nephew had it when he was a newborn and he ended up quite poorly in hospital.

If you do see them limit contact, lots of hand washing etc.

Have you had the RSV vaccine? It's being offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks. The closer to 28 weeks you have it the better but you can have it any time after 28 weeks.

Your baby, your rules.

Perhaps offer lots of invites for open air walks - say the baby seems happier in the fresh air?

Yes but I didn't have it at 28 weeks as they couldn't get me an appointment so I've had it very late which is also adding to my worry as I'm not sure how effective it'll be this late on

Is your toddler at home with you full time?

Will he be going out at all?
Playgroups? Activities?

They say ideally between 28-36 weeks is the ideal time so I think you'll be OK. Just have a no kissing the newborn and no visits if you're at all unwell rule. It's an anxious time though, I understand.

If you've had the RSV vaccine that will really help.

Most babies get it and are fine, don't panic yet. Most of the babies who are very ill with it are premature/very small or have other health issues.

Breastfeeding also really helps pass on your own immunity with your baby so try and do that if you can.

I'm due end of October.
Had the RSV vaccine at 32 weeks and had flu and Covid too.
I'm going to just see close family over Xmas I think and make sure they are well before they come.

From what i was told the RSV vaccine just needs to be 2 weeks before birth so that the antibodies can pass through the placenta. The NHS just offer it from 28 weeks to allow time for people to get the vaccine.

Is your toddler going to playgroups / nursery? If he is there's no point limiting viisitors.

Dts were micro preemies. The NiCU recommended we kept the buggy cover on when we went out.

My son was very poorly with RSV and had to be intubated. He caught it from a sibling whose only symptom was a runny nose. He was 6 weeks premature though. We were living in the US at the time and when they tested which viruses he had he had two different ones - we hadn’t left the house with him by that point or had any visitors but he was dc3 and the older ones were at school/nursery.

RSV is awful for some babies and so are a lot of other illnesses but just remember you could do absolutely everything to protect your newborn and they could pick something up.
...it's also such a special time to share with friends and family when they're so small. My husband and I have big families and after my son was born at the end of Oct, Christmas was spent with all of our extended family and it was so great having every one able to share their love.

Currently in hospital with my tiny baby with rsv. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Keep everyone away, it's seriously not worth it

Ah sorry to hear this @Soitis83

My little one had it last year at 4 weeks old. There were so many babies in with the same thing.
It was horrendous watching her struggle to breath and unable to feed.

I guess one upside of how common it is, is that the doctors knew what needed to be done.

Thankfully, they seem to bounce back really quickly, so hopefully you're discharged very soon x