Unwell around baby

[waitingforthedayicansleep]

Hi all
partner is currently unwell. Came on quite suddenly, feels rotten, coughing etc. Currently in the bedroom which I’ve asked him open windows and air.
my worry is him being around DD and or giving this illness to DD. She has just turned 6 months which I know isn’t newborn stage but she is FF (sadly I struggled to BF) and this always worries me with illnesses as feel as though she is more susceptible because of this reason.

I’ve asked partner to sleep downstairs tonight. Any other measures I need to take?

Chances are she's already been exposed to it as we usually have a virus or infection for some time before showing symptoms.

Calm down.

He's got a cold.

Formula does not make babies more susceptible to illness, breast feeding may provide some immunity.

Honestly she’ll be fine. Best to get used to babies catching things because once they start nursery/school they catch everything ever.

The only way to build immunity is a) vaccinations and b) exposure to illnesses so that their body starts to recognise the bugs. Now I’m not saying get random people to cough on your child, but getting sick is part and parcel of being a kid! She’s 6 months, not 6 days, she will be fine.

Do go in yourself, maybe under the pretence of giving him water & paracetamol and open the windows yourself.

But like others have said, FFing will not make it less likely that she gets a cold, she may just be a bit slower to recover but she may not and it is actually good for them to be exposed to some germs.

My FF toddler is healthier than my BF pre-schooler!

I was combination feeding my 10 day old DD2 when she caught a cold from her older sister dispite our best efforts to keep her away from the germs.

She's 5 months now and has definitely caught 2 colds from her sister and 1 other little sniffle.

I know it's hard not to worry but the alternative is what happened to DD1. Born April 2020, due to social distancing only had 1 illness the first year. Is now 4 and in school, has been ill approximately 8 times in 5 months and I swear this is due to her immune system not being exposed to much prior to school (no nursery as grandparents could help). I know it's not ideal them getting ill so little but she will start to build her immune system.

I would try and keep him in a separate room if you want to avoid it. Avoid him feeding her/ preparing her bottles etc. Get him to sanatise / wash hands regularly x

Honestly this is v normal! Dd went to nursery and caught everything going, and then when she went to school caught it all again 😂

I was off work every other week her first year of school, it’s the new germs and you know how vile kids can be.

Edited to add she was bf until 3.5 years and it didn’t make a jot of difference.

@Cadela thanks for your post it's good to know it's not just us. I feel so sorry for DD and myself to be honest. Hopefully the better weather improves things x