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Original poster

Getting a flu with a newborn :(

12 replies

dreamerkr · 02/12/2022 10:06

I have a 5 week old newborn and I’m coming down with a flu. My throat is really hurting and I have a bad flu, I’m sneezing a lot. I got it from DH as he was unwell these last few days too. Covid test came back negative so it’s not that most likely. I’m so scared to pass the cold onto my baby as I’m breastfeeding him, and he’s always with me as DH has to work. I’m scared to kiss or cuddle my baby, and to feed him too. I don’t know what to do

OP posts:
inthedeepshade · 02/12/2022 10:08

Breastfeeding will help his immune system as your antibodies will be in your milk so don't stop breastfeeding!

PandaOrLion · 02/12/2022 10:09

Feeding is fine - have you done something like NCT as they were really helpful with us about advice re parental illness.

Is it a cold or flu- cold you need to drink and rest as much as you can, have honey and lemon and keep well hydrated. If it’s flu you’ll be unable to do much for a few days -did you have the flu vaccine offered in pregnancy as that would make it less severe - so you might need to ask people to come and help so you can rest.

Original poster
dreamerkr · 02/12/2022 10:11

I won’t stop feeding him, and I think it’s a cold as it’s not yet thaaattt bad. But I’m just scared to pass it onto my baby

OP posts:

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ApolloandDaphne · 02/12/2022 10:17

I had flu when DD1 was 6 weeks old. Proper delirium, didn't know what was going on l, flu. After about 3 days when the fever broke I found my DD happily taking bottles with her DF and I just stopped breast feeding. If it's just a bad cold then I imagine you can keep feeding throughout.

Fuuuuuckit · 02/12/2022 10:19

If its real flu you'll be completely knocked off your feet - as pp said flu is debilitating - I lost 3 days and 7lb when I had it.

A heavy cold is shit, but you'll manage. Chances are dc has already got some of the germs anyway, but bf is the best protection for them.

really annoys me when folk say they have 'a flu' when it's not flu just a bad cold

Original poster
dreamerkr · 02/12/2022 10:30

It’s a bad cold then, not a flu because it’s not that bad and I don’t have a fever. I always get mixed up between the two haha.

OP posts:
MarianneVos · 02/12/2022 10:36

Baby will be fine. Mine had a bad cold about that age, maybe a bit younger, and has another at 12 weeks. Germy siblings are to blame!

Tilting the cot helps a little if he does get it and gets bunged up. You just need to watch out for breathing difficulties v(fighting for breath) and high temps and don't be afraid to call 111 if you're not sure. Fingers crossed the baby doesn't catch it but I would carry on feeding, cuddling etc as normal - not doing that would be more detrimental than a cold if you're the main caregiver.

Make sure you can get as much rest as possible too.

Twizbe · 02/12/2022 10:43

You can take plain paracetamol to help you feel better. You can't take lemsip or anything with decongestants while breastfeeding.

Baby will be fine. At the same time they are getting your germs they are getting your immune response via the breastmilk.

If it help, I had a cold when I gave birth to my youngest. She caught it and had a cold at a couple of days old.

She was fine. She got over it quickly.

One thing you can do from birth is have a bowl of steaming water in the room with a few drops of snuffle baby in. It will help their breathing if congested.

You can also raise on end of their cot to help with that too.

wibblewobbleball · 02/12/2022 10:45

My newborn has had two colds already the first one was in her first week - such is life when you have a toddler sister at nursery! The baby will be fine and breastfeeding is the best thing you could be doing in this scenario as baby will get over it far quicker.

RudsyFarmer · 02/12/2022 10:50

I actually did have flu with my first born and it was completely horrendous. I honestly thought I was going to die. I think that’s the only time I’ve ever had flu. Luckily DP was on paternity leave and would just attach him to me to feed and then take him away afterwards. I think i was particularly bad for three days and then I started to be able to interact with the baby again and start to function normally after a week.

RudsyFarmer · 02/12/2022 10:52

To add my son never caught it. My second child was born three years later and this time both of us caught a horrendous cold. I continued to feed throughout but I have no idea if my breast milk helped immunity as we were as sick as each other.

NameOchangeO1 · 02/12/2022 12:04

It really is normal and fine for babies to catch colds from their mothers. Keep feeding him as the milk will help him fight the cold as well as being comforting if he gets a sore throat- he may want to feed much more often if he feels unwell and that is fine. Just remember, if you need medication, to avoid ones containing aspirin.

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