Do I need to keep my poorly toddler away from my newborn?

[mpeps]

I am booked in for a c-section in 2 days time. I already have a 3 year old daughter. She has had a horrible cough the last couple of days, and last night woke up with a high fever. So she clearly has some sort of bug.

If she is still poorly when baby arrives am I supposed to keep her away from the baby or stop her from touching/getting to close to them? This feels impossible and so sad and damaging for her introduction to the new baby. But also not worth risking spreading the germs to the baby?

I plan on breastfeeding if that makes any difference.

my daughter attends nursery, so is always bringing horrible bugs home. I just wondered what others do in regards to this with a newborn?

many thanks in advance x

If you are breastfeeding your body will be producing antibodies to fight off the infection and this will come out through your milk to protect your baby.

However it's not 100% so just encourage your daughter not to touch the baby's face or kiss it if she is poorly.

This is just one of the second child things you will need to navigate through- with our first we don't allow anyone near them if they've sneezed in the last 2 weeks but the second gets exposed to all sorts courtesy of their sibling!

Wishing you the best of luck with the CS and your new baby!