Cold & newborn baby

[MyCandidPoster]

Hi, I have a 11 week old baby and a 3 year old, my biggest fear with having a baby this time of year was the risk of baby getting RSV.
i have been so careful since the baby was born that he hasn’t been around to much people and not many people have held him, however now my 3 year old and me have caught a cold and we have stuffy noses, headaches, sore throats and she has a slightly raised temperature and now my biggest fear is baby catching this and being hospitalised, I guess I’m just looking some reassurance from others that may have had babies at this time of year and had other children to that may brought illnesses home from school, I can’t distance from my baby and I also can’t distance from my 3 year old, major Health Anxiety so worried.

I've got 3. Now 23/19/16. My middle one was always most susceptible to respiratory illnesses and suffered croup many times as a baby/young child (once having to have steroids via paramedics).

You can only do the best you dab do. Children have underdeveloped immune systems and catch bugs. As long as you practice good hygiene, that's really all you can do. Developing medical paranoia is really not going to help and will actually make life far harder for you, and them, if you instill this fear into them.

My 19 y/o is still susceptible to respiratory viruses to this day and there's nothing to be done about that apart from good adhesion to hand hygiene, good nutrition, adequate sleep and knowing when to call in the medics.

I have a 4 year old and 6 week old and when youngest was 3 weeks, we had a horrid cold brought home from school. Apart from the congestion, she’s been absolutely fine and I was the most ill out of everyone! Are you breastfeeding? If so then your antibodies will pass onto baby through your milk. I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry. As long as baby is still feeding fine and plenty of wet nappies then they are ok. They are tough little things despite having a less well developed immune system.

Hi no I’m not breastfeeding - I wish I was now for this reason. Yes he is feeding and peering normally, he’s always been a bit congested from he was born as I had him via section and they said this was normal. Glad you where all ok

I’m sure he’s picked up plenty of antibodies before he was born too! Yes my DD was born via section too so we had that then the cold so poor thing has been super snotty!!

My DS caught RSV from his older sister when he was 10 days old. I had health anxiety too and this was something I was worried about. We were admitted to hospital for 5 days but apart from needing some oxygen he was fine. He was still feeding well just very lethargic with chest retractions.

Remember regardless of whether you’re breastfeeding or not, baby will still have antibodies that you would have passed on to him in the womb.

The thing with having older siblings that go to school/daycare is that you build up your immune system a lot quicker. You can’t keep them separate.

Just keep an eye out for any chest retractions or increased work of breathing.