how do I keep my NEWBORN well when everyone is SO ILL at home??

[vannah]

Im so worried! She is only 10 days old, and quite frail. Being breastfeed though my diet at the moment consists of take-aways because DH (and 2 yr old DS) both v ill. They have shivers, temperature, chronic dry cough, just so unwell...

We are in a squashy little flat so I cant really keep them away from our little newborn. Its hard to keep the place 'ventilated' as its freezing and the heating needs to be on intermitently.

What if she gets ill? Im really panicking here...

Your breastmilk will help to protect her but you need to try and take better care of yourself, if you get ill no one else can breast feed your baby while you rest so try and asdd some fruit in with those take aways.

don't panic, it's ok, really.

You are breastfeeding, so she will have all of your antibodies and will be well able to fight off any bugs that come creeping round her. That doesn't mean she won't get ill, but if she does she will be well equipped to deal with it.

If you are worried that she has caught something, ring the doctor, get them to see her - they will fit her in as she's such a little baby.

It's always hard to keep a small place ventilated in the winter. Why don't you keep it nice and warm inside but take her out for a little walk in her pram once a day - make sure she's wrapped up well and she won't come to any harm.

Meanwhile, try to look after yourself as best as you can. If you are run down then there is more chance that you will catch whatever everyone else has got.

Please try not to worry, little babies are very very tough - even if they don't look it.

When dd was 2 weeks old dh got the vilest flu which kept him bedridden for a week (UNHEARD of!). I slept in the spare room and kept bfing her through my chocolate biscuit binges. SHe was fine. Your dd will have your immunity - just avoid very close contact and maybe don't sleep in the same room. If it is an adult who is ill confine them to bed away from your lo!

Good luck - I hope you all recover for Xmas.

(Thank you for posting on my Moorfield's thread!)

thanks people! very reassuring to hear that.
Dingdong, youre welcome, its off city road I think ...

When ds1 was 7 or 8 weeks dh (usually picture of health) got bronchitis, and I came down with something vile as well. ds1 was fine. This winter dh, ds1 and I have all been repeatedly plagued with colds, dh and I being the most miserable - ds2 had some sniffles, and a cough for half a day, but has come off best out of all of us. (He did spend 3 days in hospital with a suspcted infection at 3 weeks, but it didn't appear to be anything we'd had, and even then he wasn't miserable in himself). Breastmilk and babies are wonderfl things.

shite, meant , not ...

Breastfeeding is all you need to do. She will thrive from your immunity system.
Rest as much as possible to keep your energy levels up. Do you have family or friends nearby who could bring you a nice homemade meal or two? Hope you are all better soon.