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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Being sick when you're a parent

13 replies

IMissBiscuits887 · 14/02/2025 12:43

Really is the worst, I'd say worse than the sleep deprivation. I woke up today with my first flu as a mum (I live abroad, it's 8am here). Baby is 6 months and thankfully not quite crawling. Every bone in my body hurts. It took everything to feed him and change his nappy.

Not surprising I caught something since I've had about 3 hours of sleep a night on average since I got pregnant.

Will my baby catch it? I' breastfeeding so maybe there is some kind of hope for immunity?

OP posts:

JollyGreenSnake · 14/02/2025 12:44

If you had the flu vaccine during pregnancy, your baby is less likely to get flu.

gamerchick · 14/02/2025 12:46

It's how long is a piece of string question. The flu jab was a miss this time I think.

What about babies dad, can he take over while you rest?

WhereIsMyLight · 14/02/2025 12:53

I don’t think the flu jab is particularly effective this year, so likely baby will catch it. If not this one though, definitely the next one.

It’s a shit week when everyone is ill (whether they pick it up first or you do). If there is a partner on the scene, the last one standing does as much as possible to allow the sick one to rest in the hopes the sick one is well enough is well enough to take over when the well one crashes. Get some ready meals and easy things to eat. Don’t follow the weaning plan, just milk and rely on things like bananas for baby. Make sure everyone is dosed up and worry about housework later. With a baby you just need to keep an eye on if they get dehydrated so make sure there are still wet nappies.

Original poster

IMissBiscuits887 · 14/02/2025 13:09

DH is going to come home early so I only need to survive until 2pm 😥

I have my first day out since I gave birth with friends tomorrow. I have resigned myself to having to cancel.

OP posts:

SpotlessLeopard · 14/02/2025 13:10

It is utterly brutal. We had a sickness bug recently and it was utterly brutal. I still felt horrific and was dealing with everyone elses sick buckets!

Maxorias · 14/02/2025 13:15

It's definitely shit when they're little. When they're older you can send them off to school/nursery and/or do a disney day in front of the tv while you rest. But you have to get through those first 2-3 years. My last child turned 1 recently and I'm eagerly waiting for them to be 3 and toilet trained !

Endofyear · 14/02/2025 13:47

Oh OP I feel for you! Unfortunately when you've got a little one to look after, you have no choice but to soldier on until help arrives 😔 have you got cold and flu meds? Try and do as little as possible, lie on the sofa with a blanket and let little one play on the floor if they're not on the move yet. Roll on 2pm!

Comedycook · 14/02/2025 13:54

I had flu when I had a toddler and a baby...neither got it.

MalleusMaleficarumm · 14/02/2025 14:13

It’s absolutely brutal being ill with young kids OP, you have my sympathy! Think the sleep deprivation slows down your recovery as well.

Baby might catch it, but if you’re breastfeeding and have had the flu jab in pregnancy it should hopefully provide some protection.

BuffaloCauliflower · 14/02/2025 14:19

It really is shit. I had an awful virus when DC2 was about 3 months old. I was in bed for 5 days and could do literally nothing. DH had to take a few days off work, and just brought me the baby to feed her. Other less awful illnesses you just do as little and possible. It’s felt like constant illness the last 5 years. Hope you feel better soon and glad DH is returning to help.

LostittoBostik · 14/02/2025 14:22

Yeah it's the absolute worst. My mum had to come to stay for a week when our eldest DD was 4 months old as we were both unable to get out of bed

MovingBird123 · 14/02/2025 14:29

Better that you caught it first, so that you can give your baby all those antibodies in your milk.

Can you get some help in? When I was ill when dd was very little, dh was able to take time off to help me, so I barely had to get out of bed.

Chattie89 · 14/02/2025 14:43

Aw hugs OP, I think having to get up and still care for your child when you're very ill is one of the hardest, bloody worst parts of parenting. I remember once having the most raging fever from tonsillitis and being on my knees on the floor changing DC's nappy and just silently crying.

Do whatever you can to make your life easier, all routine/standards can go out the window. Put cbeebies on, eat whatever is to hand or get a deliveroo. Both of you stay in pyjamas all day. Keep on top of your painkillers religiously.

Your little one may well not catch it, you'll already be passing him antibodies through your milk. When our baby was 4 months old DH and I both had covid quite badly, she was absolutely fine.

Hope you feel better soon.

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