Cold and flu season can be a tough time to parent a newborn. Due to their immature immune system, newborns are at a higher risk for more serious complications from illness. Parents can help prevent illness in newborns by taking simple measures to help their baby stay healthy and limit exposure to potentially dangerous illnesses.
Breastfeed to Prevent Illness
Breastfeeding naturally protects infants from many common illnesses by providing the newborn with the antibodies that his mother already has. Breastfed newborns generally get sick less often and have more mild symptoms than formula fed babies when they do get sick. Mothers often worry about breastfeeding while they are sick because they are afraid to pass on their illness to their newborn. Mothers who continue to breastfeed their newborn despite illness will actually be helping to prevent their baby from getting sick since their baby will be receiving the antibodies that their mother’s body is creating to fight the illness.
Have Family Members Get a Flu Shot
Infants under the age of 6 months cannot receive the flu vaccine but the Center for Disease Control recommends that flu shots be given to anyone who lives in a household with an infant under the age of 6 months. Keeping family members healthy will help limit the risk a newborn has for being exposed to the flu virus.
Make Hand Washing a Priority
Hand washing is always important for good health but it is essential for anyone who will be coming into contact with a newborn baby, especially during cold and flu season. Parents should insist that any visitors wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before holding the newborn to prevent the spread of illness. Even people who show no signs of illness can be contagious or be carrying germs that can be harmful to a newborn baby. Some new parents find it helpful to post a sign at the door to remind visitors to wash their hands before holding the baby.
Avoid Public Places With a Newborn
New parents are encouraged to keep their newborn baby away from public places for at least the first several weeks of life when they are discharged from the hospital. Very young babies are more susceptible to illness and are more likely to develop serious complications. While it is generally impossible to limit all exposure newborns may have to public places, it is especially important that parents work to limit the amount of time their baby spends in crowded places during cold and flu season.
Cold and flu season varies by location but generally runs from late fall to early spring. During this time, infants are at risk for developing RSV, a respiratory infection that can have serious complications for young babies. Parents should take precautions when they do need to take a newborn out during cold and flu season.
Covering the infant carrier with a blanket while in stores or public events can discourage well meaning strangers from touching newborns and unknowingly spread germs. Parents should be sure to wash their own hands after touching door knobs and shopping carts before touching their baby. All family members should be encouraged to wash their hands well when returning from a public place to avoid spreading illness and bringing germs into the home.
Practicing basic illness prevention can help prevent serious complications from the cold, flu, or RSV in infants. Parents can make simple changes to make their newborn’s health a priority, especially during cold and flu season when so many viruses are going around.
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