Protecting my newborn from Norovirus

[datedthedevil]

Hi all,

What can I do to prevent my newborn from getting Norovirus?

Thank you x

Breastfeeding - seriously - that's the best way to reduce chances of her getting any kind of gastro bug

(Plus all the usual for you, handwashing etc)

The best thing is to keep your newborn inside as much as possible over the next month and limit the amount of people who will pick up the baby to say parents and GP's. Unfortunately norovirus is very contagious, it doesn't take much to get infected...a couple of viral particles is all. Not sure if you can pass on an existing immunity as such, there is a lot of strain variation with Norovirus but if possible breastfeeding especially for the first few months is advisable

Breastfeed - I've had Norovirus twice since DS was born, once when he was tiny and once when he was older. Neither time has he caught it from me or DH even though the first time I was literally being sick over him in to a bucket while I was feeding him because he was still at the 'feed me constantly' phase.

Other than that, scrupulous hygiene and be very strict about anyone that's had it being at least 48 hours clear of symptoms before you see them.

if you are in hospital then make sure anyone who comes near your child washes their hands first - not the gel, proper soap and water.

I might end up having this baby in hospital in the next few weeks and am worried about the same thing, especially as one of the hospitals is half closed because of it already.

I've got a 4 week old and DP has just text to say he's had to get off the train to work to throw up. How can I protect baby and 2 year old DS? Should he stay away from the kids or is it too late?

It may not be too late - I'd suggest if he is able to stay elsewhere till he is feeling better, then it's worth a try.

If he hasn't anywhere else to stay then try to isolate him as much as you can, clean everything with bleach solution, that sort of thing.

Breast feed. DS2 is 6 months now and we''ve had what I assume was norovirus twice in that time - I continued to feed him and he escaped both times. I felt like death of course but that's par for the course these days!

Thank you all. The only problem is I don't bf. I also wonder if I have immunity myself as I've never had it :(

people have posted before saying others in house have had it but they have obsessoinally washed hands ...

what happens if baby does get it though?

Fluids, fluids, fluids. You will need lots of nappies and fluids. Oh, and don't expect top get much sleep because you will be trying to get tiny amounts if milk/water in then cleaning up vomit 24 hours a day.

That said ds has only caught one of the stomach bugs that have blown through the house this year, possibly due to bm.

I'm breadtfeeding round the clock as it is with newborn so will keep it up, keep DP in the boys room and move toddler in with me. And get even more obsessive about hygiene. Glad I didn't start baby on expressed milk and dummy this week as planned. Less to keep clean. Please universe don't let us all get Norovirus. I've got enough on my plate with recovering from c-section, nipple thrush and toddler/newborn. And we are due to fly to Ireland this weekend.

there's no such thing really as immunity to noro, once you've had it you are apparently temporarily immune to it but only for about 3 weeks

the vomiting stage is air bourne so if there's someone vomiting in the house get them to stay room bound and disinfect everything not just what they've touched

the diarrhoea stage is contact transmitted so that's when hand washing is most important

I had it and gave it to noone even though on average everyone who has it gives it to about 14 people. I stayed out of family's way when vomiting and used disinfectant wipes on whole bathroom, not just the bits I'd contacted - wall tiles, everything because its air bourne at that stage, then at the diarrhoea stage I had my own hand wash and my own hand towel and used disinfectant wipes on toilet, flush and taps after every time

i also didn't touch anything in the kitchen at all, DH brought me food and did all the prep

another vote for breastfeeding - we all had it when the baby was 4 months old. DD and DH properly ill for a week and I was pretty bad too - he had a quiet couple of days, you could tell he was under the weather but that was it. So glad I was exclusively bf at the time!

Whoops, sorry, just read you don't breastfeed

DS2 had it at 7weeks. I ebf, it wasn't even in winter nor in this country. We thought DS1 & DP had food poisoning at first but then DS2 didn't keep any feeds down one day.

We went to A&E then him & I were quarantined in a hospital room for 5 days. He had a nasal-gastric tube to feed him a rehydration solution. I had it too but it was only one vomit & one dodgy toilet moment luckily. I wasn't particularly worried as I understood the main risk was dehydration & being in hospital was the best place to be. Also despite it being quarantine most of the nurses were really lax about having their protective clothing on properly so it didn't seem ultra-serious. I really hope you don't get it!

I'm totally OCD about norovirus after ds got it and it spread through my house like wildfire. I'm a nurse so was totally on the ball with all the disinfecting and hand washing and was mortified we all got it. Since then I've researched it to see where I went wrong and discovered that norovirus can live on surfaces for 5 days and carpets and fabrics for up to 12 days! Like another poster said, its airborne from vomit particles and touch contact from diarreoah particles. People are only contagious once they start vomiting too. To avoid it these are my tips.

1. Purchase some antiviral hand foam from boots. Alcohol gel doesn't kill norovirus as its a virus not a bacteria. This stuff kills 99.9 of all bacteria AND virus's. it also protects your hands for six hours aftewards. i carry it everywhere I go and cake it on the kids hands several times a day.
2. Don't go near anyone who has had It recently. As in the last 72 hrs. They may still be contagious and certainly don't go in their house or car for at least a week after they've been ill.
3. If someone gets it in your house, limit them to one room /bathroom and Disinfect everything with bleach. Forget anti bacterial spray, wipes. You need bleach. Even light switches, door handles etc and don't forget to wash all the fabrics they've touched. Throws, blankets, clothes.
4. Carry antibacterial wipes in your bag. If I eat out anywhere I clean ds highchair myself and also around where my plate is.
5. Avoid public toilets unless desperate.

Good luck avoiding it