Newborn catching toddler's illnesses

[gemsam7015]

I'm worried about my newborn - days old - catching a cold from my toddler, who is nearly three.

Toddler has a cold at the moment, which seems to be mild in her but I'm so scared that my newborn is going to catch it and become seriously ill.

I can encourage lots of hand washing, not kissing/touching baby etc. but our house isn't huge and I can't exactly keep them separate.

Has anyone else been in this position?

I'm exclusively breastfeeding as well. I've been told that this has good antibody properties but I don't know how well it actually works at reducing infection risks?

I had it with DC2 and 3. Like you I was exclusively breastfeeding, and the main consequence was they got a badly blocked nose. They then really struggle to feed, or sleep. Baby olbas oil, saline nose spray and something to raise their head a tiny bit at night (we got a foam wedge to go under the mattress, you can just put something under the cot feet at one end) all help. If it gets really bad, you can get something called a nosefrieda to suck the snot out their nose. Obviously keep an eye on their temperature, and your instincts in case it gets worse!

My bf one week old caught chicken pox from my toddler. Very mild though, now 16 and never had it again.
The first three years were a constant round of minor illnesses tbh.
Try not to worry.

Thank you both!

I did expect this to some extent but not at just a few days old Hopefully my milk will provide some protection from it and baby either won't catch it or it will be mild.

I'd say it's a good thing. The more the baby catches now, the less it will get later. I think covid has warped our thinking about illnesses. Colds are annoying but it means their immune system is getting a work out. Maybe invest in a calpol plug in