Is it safe to bring a newborn home, when his sibling has a cold and cough?
Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at
12:48 am
I am being induced tomorrow and we will bring our new baby boy home shortly after that. My 3 1/2 year old son has a cough, runny nose, and some congestion. Is that safe for my newborn?
Filed under: Baby Clothes
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Are you breastfeeding or will you? That will help to protect the baby.
You are going to have this a lot- I do with mine. I am breastfeeding and she has only been sick once in 13 months- she got pink eye when I got it.
I would keep hand sanitizer near the baby- and anyone who is going to touch the baby will need to use it. Have your son wash his hands a lot and cover his nose. I would have him wash again after sneezing and coughing.
It happens where little ones get sick- and older siblings in particular. Please do not send him away- he needs to be home to be part of welcoming his sibling. Sending him away would be a detriment.
Breastfeed though- particularly because you have such a little one at home to help protect the baby at all ages, not just as a newborn.
Good luck and congrats on your little one!
I had the same problem when I had my baby 3 weeks ago because her brother had a cold but I didn’t really have a choice I just tried to keep contact between the 2 as minimum as possible and made sure hands were being washed constantly and she hasn’t got sick at all
Well if you don’t take your baby home, where are you going to take him? I think as long as you use disinfectants in your house, give your child medication to help his cold and make sure he doesn’t breathe straight on the baby, the newborn will be okay. There’s always a chance of a baby getting sick but that’s life and kids ALWAYS get sick!! Congrats!!
Yes especially if you breastfeed because you’ll pass on antibodies you picked up while being around your other sick child. Ideally better not to have a sick kid in the house but thats life. If your stil concerned ask your doc tommorow. Good luck with the induction!
Personally, if he can visit grandma, that might be a better choice. But ask your doctor.
Yes, it is fine to bring a newborn home if your son has a cold. There is a very good chance your son will no longer be contagious by the time you bring your baby home. You have today, tomorrow, and for sure the next day. That is three days. A cold generally isn’t contagious after 3 days or so.
Also you have been exposed, and your body is making the antibiotics for it naturally…and that will be passed over to your newborn when you first start nursing.
One thing, usually second children tend to get more colds then kids who are only children. It is because they get more exposed to things from the older sibling. It is not a bad thing, kids get through it.
Well, your infant will be exposed to worse in the hospital, so I’d say as long as you’re prepared to make sure your son washes his hands and isn’t running a fever when you get home, your newborn should be just peachy.
I had pneumonia all over my twins, they held up beautifully.
make sure you nurese this witl help
If you are breastfeeding I would not worry about it, your baby gets his protection from that. If not, I would suggest maybe friends can keep older son until he is better