Pre-school and germs with new baby at home

[Anonymous]

My child is about to begin pre-school and we have a new baby at home. She (the older child) has been vaccinated for the h1n1 and also regular flu
but I am so afraid of my new baby catching one of these illnesses anyway. Does anyone have a very young child and a child in school?
What do you do to prevent the baby from catching serious illnesses?

[Anonymous]

DD1 was in preschool two mornings a week when DD2 was born - in January... We gave DD1 probiotics each morning in hopes of strengthening her immune system. I trained her to come into the house, take off her shoes and jacket, and wash her hands before she touched anything. I would also try to give her a bath after school and before nap in hopes of washing away anything that might be left on her. I don't know if all that worked or we were just lucky, but she never brought home anything other than a cold.

[Anonymous]

I kept my son in his in-home daycare 4 days/week after DD was born... Granted this was May and not peak illness time, but for me the key was having him wash his hands the minute he walked in the house. Otherwise didn't limit his contact with her. It worked... Don't think she had even a runny nose until about 4 months old.

[Anonymous]

I think you're worrying too much. Eventually, your daughter will bring home something and infect the baby.

I do agree with the common sense advice - take off shoes, wash hands, bathe, etc. And I'll add gargling and even nose-swabbing (salt water) b/c it has been effective in killing germs in the mouth and nasal passages before they hit the system.

What about your daughter's school? I'm sure they're vigilant. Ours is. So she should be receiving reinforcement at school, too - hand-washing, sneezing into her arm, etc.

But I wouldn't fret over it, OP. My daughter came home with something last December and infected my son, who at the time was 7 mo. He had a raging fever and was sick for two weeks - despite our healthy habits.

Think of it this way - If your baby does get sick, it helps to build immunity. Make sure they eat well, drink plenty of water, and rest. And if you're nursing, you're giving your baby plenty of antibodies.

[Anonymous]

I agree there is nothing much you can do.
The day I came home from the hospital with number 2, my oldest came down with a fever of 104. Or there was the time I took the older one to the pediatrician because he had terrible diahrea -- only to be told that there was nothing to be done, but be careful because whatever was causing it was incredibly contagious (as I was holding the newborn in my lap).
I have 3 now (youngest is the healthiest of the bunch -- even with two older siblings). There are all sorts of fun diseases you'll learn about in preschool -- not to mention lice! Just brace yourself and remember you will be laughing about it years from now (well, maybe not about the lice).
The real difference I have noticed is that after several years of me getting very sick every fall from preschool germs, I think I have finally built up some pretty good immunities!

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PPs that stated prevention is key. My third was preemie, born early summer, was only three pounds when he came home. We managed to get thru the first year with not so much as a runny nose! Two older ones in daycare, hand washing was the first thing we did when they came home. Here's my list of tips (yes, some will think I went overboard, but I also didn't spend any time crying over my newborn in the ER with RSV or a bad chest cold. I'm sharing because OP asked):

Probiotics for all (open the capsules and empty into soft food). After I stopped nursing, I gave the baby half a capsule, too.
RSV shots every month for the baby
relentless hand washing
neti pot flushes, or saline water in a syringe
kids multi vitamin and vitamin D (there's a powder for babies)
Fish oil
lots of water
Fruit
Lots of sleep to keep the immune system strong

OP, it can be done. I don't think you should sit back and accept your fate of having a sick baby.

[Anonymous]

The RSV vaccine (Synagis) runs about $2K a shot - unless your insurance covers it. Which it does Usually for micro preemies, 28-32 week preemies and other kids with compromised immune systems such as childrens with cancer, etc.

Just be smart and wash hands constantly and I agree sleep is key!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks everyone for your advice!

[Anonymous]

Although I don't recall the source I've read that changing your child's shirt in addition to the handwashing when they return home can help.

***knock on wood*** I'm pleased to say that my baby just made it to six months with only a minor cold or two under his belt and we have a preschooler as well. He definitely got lucky as my preschooler had a host of ailments from strep to high fever inducing viruses and colds and my husband got the flu with pnemonia!! Talk about stressful! I hope your new addition has the same luck.

The baby just got his first h1n1 and seasonal shot so I'm starting to relax just a bit.

Good luck!