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Could our newborn avoid catching our cold?

22 replies

Sœtr · 20/10/2023 04:50

Hello!
Has anyone's newborn ever managed to avoid catching a cold from their parents??

We have a 7wk old. DH is unwell after a family member showed up to visit with a cold (I know, I'm trying not to be raging at their thoughtlessness). DH very rarely sick but has been busy/run down from our house reno. I'm not far behind him I don't think, been feeling a bit yuck, scratchy throat.
Also covid doing the rounds again so we need to keep that in mind.

I'm ebf so can't keep my distance but hopefully producing plenty antibodies!
If it passes quick is it possible our wee boy could dodge it? Has that ever happened?!

Currently googling solutions in advance like snufflebabes products and aware breastmilk in the nose helps. Apart from that can anyone prep me further!
It's exhausting as it is with newborn, was hoping we could avoid until he was a tiny bit older, it sounds so worrying. Trying not to catastrophise and stay positive!

Thanks in advance!

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Vexxa · 20/10/2023 05:07

I don't know that you'll be able to avoid giving it to baby, but if it's reassuring I have a 4 week old who is already on her second cold, courtesy of her toddler sister who's in nursery. She's snuffly but coping just fine. I know colds can sometimes be serious but my midwife said usually newborns cope with them quite well. We were told to watch out for her nostrils flaring as this is a sign of laboured breathing.

SuspiciousLampshade · 20/10/2023 05:10

We had Covid when DS2 was about 8 weeks old, I was ebf and the three of us (DH, DS1 and I) were all pretty bleh but DS2 had no symptoms whatsoever! So it is possible. But I think it depends also on the baby, DS2 has proved to be pretty hardy in general and is rarely ill whereas DS1 seems to get colds a bit more often.

It sounds scary when they talk about newborns and colds but try not to worry as the vast majority of newborns are totally fine 😊 and you will be producing antibodies so that will really help! Hope you feel better soon.

RogersOrganismicProcess · 20/10/2023 05:12

The lullaby trust are doing something on infection prevention at the moment. I am sure there will be helpful info on their website.

Sœtr · 20/10/2023 05:14

That's very reassuring thanks @Vexxa
Will be monitoring those nostrils! 😅x

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Sœtr · 20/10/2023 05:15

Thanks @SuspiciousLampshade
I guess we'll soon find out if he's hardy! ☺️x

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Sœtr · 20/10/2023 05:17

Much appreciated thanks for the link @RogersOrganismicProcess 🙏x

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AussieManque · 20/10/2023 05:24

Wear a proper respirator mask (n95) and ventilate ventilate ventilate. Do it now even if it's been a while, it is important for reducing the overall viral dose.

It is possible to avoid passing on illness and it is worth it, especially with a newborn. When I had COVID no one in the family got it because I didn't leave my room without my N95 mask on, and we kept the house super well ventilated.

Colds are airborne too, just like COVID, flu, RSV, chickenpox, measles and other illnesses. And there's a chance your cold is actually COVID.

Mulligan1789 · 20/10/2023 05:32

Babies catch colds. It’s an important part of their immune development.

Sœtr · 20/10/2023 05:33

Thanks @AussieManque I will keep all that in mind. I was considering mask wearing.
We ventilate when possible (stormy weather just now). We have a large dyson air purifier running all the time (mainly for dust/vocs from renovations downstairs) that will hopefully help in some way! X

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Sœtr · 20/10/2023 05:35

@Mulligan1789 very true, thank you

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OverTheCountryClub · 20/10/2023 06:33

Just keep feeding - dc3 was bombarded with colds, bugs and chicken pox from day 1 due to the older 2 at school and nursery. He got everything very mildly and I'm sure it was thanks to the breastmilk! I got one horrific stomach bug and was feeding in between vomiting with the worst stomach pains - I remember debating with dh giving him formula so I could be in a separate room but I didn't and he never got it. Fingers crossed your little one will be the same!

AussieManque · 20/10/2023 06:35

Great that you have an air purifier, keep it in the same room as you and baby and on max power. I didn't mention purifiers as most UK households don't have one.

And not too late to start masking!

Perfect28 · 20/10/2023 06:40

Children will catch colds just like adults you can't keep them in bubbles and you definitely shouldn't be raging at someone.

Moomoomo · 20/10/2023 06:55

Breastfeeding will provide a lot of protection but realistically by 7 weeks a cold isn't that big of a deal to a healthy baby. Just keep any eye on them but most likely they will just be snotty and grumpy for a few days then good as new.

It's impossible to isolate them from everything, think about all the babies with older siblings going to school and nursery every day bring home colds and worse.

Darhon · 20/10/2023 07:23

There were lots of issues last winter with young children getting very unwell with some infections due to a bounceback after reduced exposure during lockdowns. They really do need to catch some things as babies and children. If you have a second, the baby you have now is likely to be the toddler coughing all over your newborn.

AussieManque · 20/10/2023 07:34

@Darhon I'm sorry but the immunity debt theory is a nonsense that was invented to persuade parents to get kids back in school with zero mitigations against COVID spread. There are no references to immunity debt prior to 2021.

There is a world of difference between exposure to bacteria and microbes (good for immunity and not becoming allergic to things) and viruses. In no instance is it advisable to get exposure to a virus if you can avoid it. Rolling around in dirt is good, not avoiding viruses is bad.

Also, this is a newborn baby with undeveloped respiratory tracts. Even a cold can have unintended consequences.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9272293/immunity-debt-covid-19-misinformation/

Doveyouknow · 20/10/2023 07:45

AussieManque · 20/10/2023 07:34

@Darhon I'm sorry but the immunity debt theory is a nonsense that was invented to persuade parents to get kids back in school with zero mitigations against COVID spread. There are no references to immunity debt prior to 2021.

There is a world of difference between exposure to bacteria and microbes (good for immunity and not becoming allergic to things) and viruses. In no instance is it advisable to get exposure to a virus if you can avoid it. Rolling around in dirt is good, not avoiding viruses is bad.

Also, this is a newborn baby with undeveloped respiratory tracts. Even a cold can have unintended consequences.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9272293/immunity-debt-covid-19-misinformation/

There are some viruses that it is better to get at an earlier age as they can be much worse if caught as a teenager or adult. So it is helpful for kids to be exposed to some viruses early on.

kersh33 · 20/10/2023 07:57

DD was a baby in 2020 at the height of COVID so when we had a cold we wore masks. It was tricky when breastfeeding in the middle of the night but I thought it was worth it. When she was older we didn't bother so much u til I actually had COVID when I masked up again and managed to avoid infecting everyone which was great.

AussieManque · 20/10/2023 08:50

@Doveyouknow these are viruses we tend to vaccinate against. Like measles, mumps and chickenpox. No infectious diseases doctor worth their salt will encourage infection with a virus (any virus) if there is the option not to catch it.

cdhmum · 20/10/2023 08:57

Perfect28 · 20/10/2023 06:40

Children will catch colds just like adults you can't keep them in bubbles and you definitely shouldn't be raging at someone.

Yes actually, if an adult knowingly visits a newborn and family when they have a cold, you are fully within your rights to be raging.

Sœtr · 20/10/2023 09:01

Thanks for all taking the time to contribute all the valuable input everyone 🧡 have a lovely bug-free weekend! Xx

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