Omicron and babies - looking for reassurance

[OPTIMUMMY]

I’ve taken my 9 year old son for a PCR today as he has a headache, sore throat and fever. There is now a message on the school app saying there are confirmed cases in his class, so I’m feeling the chances of him having Omicron are high (area seems to be rife with it). So it’s looking like we will be in isolation over Christmas.
However what’s worrying me really is that I’ve also got an 11 week old baby and I’m really worried about her catching it. If Omicron is as contagious as they say then I don’t know how I will be able to prevent us all from catching it. I’ve made the mistake of googling about Omicron and babies and now I’m really worried because everything is suggesting that it’s worse for infants and that they are making up a disproportionate percentage of hospitalisations (admittedly this seems to be in other countries and the numbers are still small). I have had my booster and was combine feeding but she really only uses me for snacking so I don’t feel she will be getting enough antibodies from me.
I know it’s early days with Omicron so not sure that there will be many who have been through it with positive stories to tell, but any advice for dealing with Covid and a baby would be helpful/reassuring.

Hi Optimummy,
It's so stressful isn't it? I hope you and your children are all well. I too am looking for advice and positive stories, so I have no reassurance to offer I'm afraid, as I'm similarly googling and worrying because I have a 7 week old. The adults around me are all acting like its no big deal if they catch it and basically trying to get back to a normal life, while of course expecting to have interaction with my baby (mother in law wears mask under her nose and thinks omicron is just a cold, and didn't bother to tell me she'd been to a maskless choral concert).
I'm so scared, I'm even worried about taking my baby to her 8 week GP checkup in case she catches it there - it's not like she can wear a mask.
I was double vaxxed in pregnancy and I got the booster and exclusively breastfeed so really hoping that is enough... Is it possible for you to try and breastfeed a bit extra? Wishing you well and hoping that your baby hasn't caught it.

So I have a 1 year old with highly suspected omnicrom right now (dad positive, waiting on my PCR but LFT positive). High temperature, really sore throat, wheezing. I think keep the calpol handy (2months+) breast or formula at the ready and trust your instincts to call 111 if you think they're struggling.

Things to consider; laboured breathing, floppy/non responsive, not feeding etc. Have a read of NHS website for advice. If they do catch it, it might not be pleasant but they are surprisingly resilient, it's just horrible seeing them suffer.

Try not to worry. I have two older kids in primary school and they were both close contacts but tested negative. Then baby got bad infection in sept at 16 weeks but she was fine. Ended up being covid tested but negative. She is 7 months now and had high temps two days straight before Christmas. We gave nurofen (from 3 months only) and paralink suppository as they work faster. Covid tested again on Christmas Eve. She's much better now. Just keep hydrated and if you're not happy with the way she feels or looks call the gp. Make sure she's getting enough fluids and keep an eye on wet nappies.

My dd is 6 months and just tested positive.
She's a sore throat and her cry is scratchy as it hurts to make noise, and super sleepy.

At what point do you call 111?

Don't wanna go hospital if I can help it as don't want her exposed to anthting else.

Such a worrying situation. Genuinely wishing we hadn't had family over for Xmas (and made them do lft in front of us)

@red30505 if you feel that your baby needs medical attention please get help.

I will do. She seems OK atm, tracking things, feeding, OK nappies, , not floppy, just sleepy and scratchy throat.
I'm naturally anxious so it's hard to judge what's me overreacting sometimes.

You're never overreacting when it comes to babies. We got a fright on Christmas evening so I understand the anxiety. Hope she feels better soon.

Covid is mild for 99.9% of children. That’s not to say yours won’t be the unlucky one but there’s no need to panic. My 9 month old had it last December & deffo had a sore throat. She wasn’t keen on eating for a day or so & a bit hoarse. But quickly recovered. Her recurrent bouts of tonsillitis are FAR worse. They make her so poorly.

My 4 month old niece has just had covid. Almost certainly omicron as in London. She’s had a runny nose & very sore eyes. But all good.

You should never worry about getting a baby checked over but if they are drinking well, sleeping OK, alert & not floppy and no fever, it’s almost certainly ok. Any signs of distress, severe restlessness, fever, high pitched crying or inconsolable, hard to wake, not drinking, odd colour .. get them seen ASAP.

Hello
How is your baby doing now? I am looking for some reassurance that it will be all well with my 14 month old who tested positive four days ago. He ran a high temperature of 39 and above for two days, then 38 and above for three days now. We have been managing it with calpol every 5-6 hours. No other symptoms though. He is just irritable and refusing food mostly. Husband and I are positive too. I am breastfeeding him. I really don’t want to take him to a hospital risking increasing his viral load from potential mire exposure.

My dd had a temp of 38 for 4 days, lost her voice, and was very, very clingy. Clingy lasted about a week.
We went to GP to be seen as temp wasn't coming down which put my mind at ease. They said they always prefer to see little ones, especially as babies can't tell you what's wrong.
12 days later baby is back to herself.

@red30505 Thank you for sharing your dd’s ordeal with Covid. Glad to know she is back to her normal self. Your post has helped me put my mind to rest through the weekend as my one year old is going through a similar situation. His fever has been a bit better today, day 5. But he is very clingy and not quite his usual self. Hopefully will see the GP tomorrow.