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Original poster

Swine Flu - Still going to baby groups?

29 replies

digimama · 30/04/2009 09:58

What do you think, should I still be taking my 2mnth old to baby groups and baby swimming?

Without over reacting, should I limit the number of people we come into contact with? I'm sure if me or DH got it we would recover but it would be so dangerous for a baby.

What do we think?

OP posts:
ramonaquimby · 30/04/2009 09:59

really? are you serious? That is an overreaction in my opinion - haven't you been reading papers or watching the news? This is why people panic.

KingCanuteIAm · 30/04/2009 10:02

YA over-reacting to the threat.

Go and do some research on how much of a risk there really is and then think about it again.

foxytocin · 30/04/2009 10:06

for some people, MN is research i'm afraid.

frasersmummy · 30/04/2009 10:10

another one???

and ..... hide

Flightattendant25 · 30/04/2009 10:13

I'd put that on hold for a week or two until we know better the extent of the risk.

I#m cautiously making plans as in 'what if' but for the time being I'd take advantage of it nOT being widespread to do things you might not want to later - iyswim.

expatinscotland · 30/04/2009 10:14

What does a 2m old do at babygroups?

I plan to start taking DS to one when he's about 9 months, able to play with toys and pick up rotovirus, but when they're still laying there, what is it they do at baby group?

Flightattendant25 · 30/04/2009 10:15

Good point expat. I've always avoided baby groups anyway - hate having to chat to other mums. IRL you understand..

tiredemma · 30/04/2009 10:16

This weekend at Tesco...Panic buying for sure.

People stocking up on a years worth of bread and milk so they can 'cocoon' themselves at home.

ZoeC · 30/04/2009 10:17

I took dd1 from 12 weeks, but that was because I needed company by then and she would reliably nod off in a bouncy chair next to me and I got a cup of tea and a chat!

Much more civilised than when she grew up into a biscuit-thief that had to be watched every second to prevent her upsetting other (sometimes bigger) toddlers by stealing their biscuits off them

But as to OP, I wouldn't stop going anywhere at the moment.

tiredemma · 30/04/2009 10:19

I remember going to a playgroup as a first yeat student nurse with my mentor, who was a health visitor.
Expat makes a valid point- most of the babies were lay on the floor staring at the ceiling while their mothers talked about what they were cooking for their husbands dinner.

expatinscotland · 30/04/2009 10:19

'This weekend at Tesco...Panic buying for sure.'

Oh, definitely! I'm headed to one in about an hour here . . . because our only excuse for a supermarket around here is shutting on 6 May for twelve weeks to become a Morrison's.

There will be only a dinky Co-Op.

KingRolo · 30/04/2009 10:21

Only if the baby groups and swimming are in Mexico digimama.

tiredemma · 30/04/2009 10:22

You need to stock up then. Like a Bear at Yellowstone, preparing for the winter.

Flightattendant25 · 30/04/2009 10:23

If you read the NHS choices advice, it says you ought to have two weeks worth of supplies in hand, in case you are ill and unable to go out.

I think if you did have flu it would be socially responsible to stay put, therefore having a small stockpile is sensible and public spirited.

Buying up the whole of nettos is not quite the same.

I bought a fair few tins yesterday, I don't normally do a big shop and people were actually looking at me a bit funny - despite the fact it was just a normal trolley full of random stuff. Or maybe I imagined that.

wannaBe · 30/04/2009 10:24

"I'm sure if me or DH got it we would recover but it would be so dangerous
for a baby." If you or dh got it then she would most likely get it anyway, so keeping her home would achieve what exactly?

Unless you are both planning to stay at home and not leave the house until any risk has gone then keeping your baby away from people will achieve nothing.

Original poster
digimama · 30/04/2009 10:43

Hiya,

Thanks for your replies, I was hoping I was over reacting.

ramon I have been watching the news, that is why I am bothered!!

Expat The baby group I go to is the local one run by the HV's, it means that I can weigh her on their scales without having to go to the clinic and I can meet other mums in the area as I don't know many people here. Although DD doesn't do much whilst we're there it has been really useful to meet other mums, get their advice on things etc. Without having any family anywhere nearby and only knowing a few people in the area the babygroup has been great.

wannabe What I meant about me or DH getting it is that if it were just us I wouldn't be bothered but now that we have her I am.
I am on mat leave so can easily stay in a bit more and DH can work from home if he wanted. Statistically, reducing the number of people you have contact with will reduce the risk of transmission. I'm not saying I will cocoon myself in the house or anything, just wondering if it might be sensible to avoid big group situations.

OP posts:
Original poster
digimama · 30/04/2009 10:48

foxytocin Don't judge people too quickly, I have a masters in analytical science - I know how to research. I just wanted a quick straw poll on other mums views, mostly to reassure myself that I don't need to panic.

OP posts:
foxytocin · 30/04/2009 10:52

what is wrong with saying mn is research for some people. it was the start for me when i was looking for info to fire at my midwife and consultant about home births.

don't immediately assume that i am insulting someone by saying mn is research.

Original poster
digimama · 30/04/2009 10:56

foxytocin In context, following KingCanuteIam's reply and by using the italics and adding 'I'm afraid' at the end the negative tone (I felt) was very clear.

OP posts:
foxytocin · 30/04/2009 11:40

from a researcher's pov what is so wrong is saying that I'm afraid that mn is some people's idea of research. surely you know that is how some people are. no need to defend your stance to me or any other internet sprite.

Original poster
digimama · 30/04/2009 11:57

foxy I wasn't commenting on the content of what you said, more the tone. If you didn't intend it to have a negative tone then fair enough but I think that if you look back at the context and how it was written most people would have taken that as a negative comment.

OP posts:
clayre · 30/04/2009 12:02

I'm too worried about the mumps, chicken pox and tonsilitis going around the dc school and nursery to worry about swine flu!!

Who ever mentioned panic buying at tesco i think theres some truth in that, i tried to book my weekly slot for tomorrow and couldnt get a slot, tried sainsburys but they were fully booked, asda was fine thou!!

Original poster
digimama · 30/04/2009 12:28

clayre I worry about that too, maybe I just worry too much...

OP posts:
foxytocin · 30/04/2009 12:36

cases of scarlet fever have risen recently. the practice nurse at my gp surgery said they have to refer all suspected cases to hospital.

if you worry about everything out there you'd become agoraphobic.

cory · 30/04/2009 13:31

meningitis has also been around for a long time and is arguably far more deadly than the flu; children do die of that in this country every year: hasn't stopped anyone I know I know from taking their child to baby group/school/college.