If you are the recent mother of a newborn or young baby, congratulations. There is nothing sweeter than the smells and sounds of a newborn! Of course, having a very small baby during this time of year presents its own unique set of challenges. The months between January and April are known as “flu season.” You probably don’t need to be told about the prevalence of flu during this time of year, but do you understand the dangers of the flu? Certain precautions should be taken to protect your baby during his or her most critical time of life. Below are simple, yet effective, things you can do to make sure you and your baby stay healthy during flu season.
Avoid crowded places. Now is the perfect time of year, and a new baby gives you the perfect excuse to be a homebody. While you may have the “itch” to get out and go, please don’t. The flu virus and other dangerous germs can exist for hours on shopping cart handles, door handles, and other items that people have touched. It truly is the best policy to stay at home.
Cover your baby up. If your baby is older than eight weeks, and you have to be out in a public place, be smart. Use a clean blanket or carrier cover to protect your baby from airborne germs and viruses. Using a blanket or cover will also deter strangers from getting too close, or even touching, your baby.
Build a disinfectant arsenal. Keep hand sanitizer and a travel-size of disinfecting wipes in your purse, diaper bag, stroller, and your car at all times. Make it a habit to wipe down any surface that your baby may come into contact with, and remember to wipe down your own hands after you touch things. The last thing you want is to be the one responsible for sharing the flu virus with your little one.
Consider breastfeeding. While not all women are willing or able to breastfeed their newborns, if you can, please strongly consider it. Breast milk provides newborns with antibodies that help them build a strong immune system. Research shows that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to catch colds and infections compared to formula-fed babies.
At Marietta OB-GYN & Affiliates, P.A., we do everything in our power to keep you and your baby safe throughout your pregnancy. We also realize that babies do not come with any type of instruction manual. The simple steps above can serve as a means to help you protect your baby from germs and sickness. The flu season is especially scary for moms of newborns. Take the precautions necessary to protect your newest blessing.