How to protect premature baby from school bugs?

[pastatriangles]

Hi, I'm due after Christmas with a baby with severe growth restriction who will most likely be born prematurely on top.

My 4 year old is in reception and he's had the flu jab but the illnesses he's brought home have been constant, and some have been really awful.

We've just had our latest 'new highly contagious severe virus' warning from school.

Which has got me worrying about when the baby's here. I have no idea how I will be able to protect her and it would be serious if she got ill. I'm a single parent so no option of delegating - I will be doing the school run and all childcare.

Any advice would be welcome...

Best advice is to not let the child kiss the baby on the lips. Not a huge amount else you can do. Keep older kid away from baby when they are ill

Breastfeeding. You will produce an immune response to bugs your eldest picks up and pass antibodies to baby. My toddler is constantly ill with things from nursery, all over baby and he has rarely caught any of it.

Brunilde · Today 23:28
Breastfeeding. You will produce an immune response to bugs your eldest picks up and pass antibodies to baby. My toddler is constantly ill with things from nursery, all over baby and he has rarely caught any of”

This. Even a few weeks will be a big plus. (No problem whatsoever with formula but it’s proven that just a couple of weeks of bf is hugely beneficial)

Breastfeeding if possible.
shoes off in the house for everyone
DS4 to wash hands and change clothes as soon as he comes in
Rule - Hand sanitiser before anyone can touch the baby
Face masks for anyone with symptoms of any illness
Flu / Chicken Pox vaccine for DS4
Treat all of DS4’s illnesses seriously - contact GP if symptoms run over 3 days

Op, I had a very premature baby last year (24 weeks, 800g). We haven't reached school age yet, however I wanted to add that whilst Brest feeding is recommended (it was at my hospital) if it doesn't happen, please do NOT beat yourself up. My milk never came despite huge effort, and at one point medication. I was distraught that if she didn't make it, it would be my fault because i couldn't breast feed.

I've been quite blunt (belligerent) re people not coming to see us if they have even a hint of any illness. Ensure people wash hands etc. I have no doubt people have rolled their eyes at me, but I don't care after everything that has happened.