5 week old - avoiding going out

[Iammeltin]

I have a 5 week old and I am avoiding going out because I am petrified of her picking something up and getting poorly.

I had a rough time with my first DS as he got bronchilitus when he was 7 months old, in the summer time and was hospitalised. He had a further few admissions until he was 2 years and we ended up in lockdown and on a brown inhaler

I am petrified of her not being vaccinated, or picking up whooping cough or anything really so I tend to stay at home. I am planning to do this in the school holidays as well.

Am I being OTT? If so, how do I talk myself round?

She was being breastfed too, but due to tongue tie and slow weight gain and formula being pushed on me, she’s mostly formula fed now so she doesn’t even have benefit of breastfeeding either.

What are the peak months of all the viruses going round?

I don't think a 5 week old necessarily needs to be out and about although I would have got bored after a couple of days of being cooped up inside! But what about your older child? Is he having to stay at home all weekend and through the holidays too? That would be unfair on him and he'd be missing out on a lot.

There are lots of viruses going around admittedly but tbh it's not something that ever worried me and I took my babies to every baby class around, they've never been seriously ill. If your anxiety is preventing your older child from being able to go out and socialise, you need to speak to your HV.

No my DH takes the elder out and about or I do and my DH stays at home with newborn. I see the HV in the holidays so I’ll see what she says.

Kindly I think you need to speak to the HV/GP about your reaction here. You've got an older child, they're going to be bringing illnesses home from school with them. You can't really do anything about it. Her vaccinations don't stop common illnesses like a cold which is the most likely thing to catch.

You can take her out and leave the buggy hood up, or pop her in a sling if you're worried about people coming near her.

Were you vaccinated against flu, Covid, whooping cough and RSV (Bronchiolitis) during pregnancy, OP? If so, you can rest assured that your baby has a good deal of protection from those - they’re the ones to be concerned about with a tiny one as you unfortunately know. It’s horrible to have gone through what you went through with your DS and I don’t blame you for being somewhat on edge, but like others have said, you can’t prevent it all, and if your anxiety is getting the better of you, reach out to your HV or GP.

You can and should go out for your mental health, and baby might like a change of scene! At home you can implement good hand hygiene for everyone, making sure to wash when you all get in. Use antibac gel etc when out, and you can mask up if using public transport. If it helps, walk or drive places, sling baby, and avoid letting any strangers touch or kiss your baby, which I’m sure you’d do anyway!

But, horrid as it can be, it is important for baby to catch the old sniffle now and then as it will help them build their immune system. Your eldest will be very helpful in this matter! Also it’s great dad is helping out there but don’t forget your DS will want to spend time with you too! Don’t give him an excuse to resent his new sibling.

Last thing - formula feeding is totally fine but you sound upset about it. Have you seen a lactation consultant? You can get back on track with breastfeeding if you want to. You might just need some help from a professional. HVs and midwives are often NOT trained well in this area. Good luck!

This doesn't sound healthy for anyone in your house so your other child and partners just have to put up with it? doesn't sound like it can last forever

For your own mental health you can’t chain yourself to the house. And for heaven’s sake don’t start lushing your older child away when he inevitably comes home from nursery with normal childhood illnesses. Your DH may be taking him out but he is missing out on your presence, ‘cos of the baby’.