What is the rule?

Hi!

My boys are 4wks old and were born a bit premature at 35wks 3days. They have way surpassed their birth weight (see my siggi)

Our dr. has made it very clear for us to do everything we can to keep them from getting sick.

My question is...how obsessive should we be?

Can people come to visit if they haven't been sick? (I get worried cause they could always be 'carrying' something).

We aren't allowing any kids over, and we've asked that if people have been sick...or around anyone who has been sick in the last 2 wks to postpone their visit.

Well this has almost completly eliminated our "helper" list. I'm ok with this...I just want to know how viligant we need to be.

I have a friend who has only seen our boys once, but her and her son seem to always be sick. Is there a safe time to spend time with her? Should i just assume she's always carrying something?
Can I spend time with her without the babies? Is it ok for her to visit but not touch them?

She comes over often to drop off gifts, which we are so grateful for, but I feel bad because I have to say...because you were sick last week, you can come see the babies but can't hold them...(she gets a bit hurt, I'm sure she understands, but it's not a good feeling)

Anyone have any advice to make this time a bit easier...or to tell me that we need to hide out for the next 4-6mths is ok too...

I'm grateful for all of you!! It's great to have a place to come to where others have/or are going through similar things!!

reb

 

My pedi just told be to keep them away from "sick" people, meaning people with actual symptoms. You can't know if people are "carriers" and you will drive yourself crazy. I was paranoid, too. I kept visitors at bay for the 1st month and if people did come I made sure they washed their hands and used germX before handling them. I slept them in their bassinets downstairs for the first 2 months and wouldn't allow anyone to handle them if they were already asleep in their bassinets. They slept most of the time, so this limited the handlers. My pedi said it's ok to take them out, just don't spend hours at the mall or walmart. If you have to take them to run errands, fine. Kids are a different story, my pedi said don't take them anywhere there is going to be a lot of kids i.e. kids birthday parties until 5 or 6 months. Most of these recommendations from the pedi were because of RSV season and them not qualifying for the shots. I was so paranoid at the beginning (being a first time mom) and it wore off pretty quickly. You can use your best judgement, but you can't keep them in a bubble. My husband is an RN in a busy Emergency Room and probably is the biggest "carrier" of them all! He sees sick kids all night long, rsv, stomach bugs, etc. Of course I can't keep him away from them! Don't feel bad about turning the people away. They would feel bad if they got your babies sick!

 

I think if the person is in the recovery phase of the illness (like the common cold, not chicken pox or something like that!) it should be okay. Have them Purell the heck out of their hands and maybe have a large blanket they can lay over their clothes between them and the baby(ies). Hand washing is the most important thing to prevent illness.

 

We were told when our babies were that little to keep them away from sick people with symptoms. You have to do with what you are comfortable with, though. If you are concerned about people who visit who may have been carriers of something, maybe you can ask them to wash their hands before handling the babies. Good luck!

 

Mine were born 8 weeks early and during RSV season, so for me I wouldnt let anyone with kids visit. I know, it was harsh, but I didnt want to risk it. We didnt take them out at all either. But with that being said, you have to do what you feel comfortable with. Good hand washing and some Purell are always the way to go.

 

Before and after Max's open heart surgery we were told to keep sick people and germs away as best we could. We didn't let anyone come over with symptoms. When you came through the door you washed your hands and when you wanted to pick up or touch a baby you used one of the many hand sanitizer pumps located in our home. I felt like the rudest person ever, but my little guys health was top priority. If people got offended too bad. I figured I was there to be his protector.

The worst was the day before his surgery we had to go to the hospital for pre-op check in and tests. The lady who checked us in at Children's Hospital is coughing and wiping her nose. She then says I am so warm from this temp. I could pass out. I told DH to take Max for a walk and give me the hand sanitizer. I proceeded to wipe down everything she handed me with the sanitizer. The funny thing was she was sitting in front of one of the many signs that said if you are sick or feel sick don't visit the patients to avoid germs. She then marked Max as a female in the system, so later in the day when it was brought to our attention I had to go back down to get it fixed. Her supervisor asked why I didn't notice it when she had me signing the paperwork and I said I was too busy watching her cough and wipe her nose on her sleeve as I was checking my son in for open heart surgery. That is when DH said the b**** was coming out in me, too bad.

I still ward off strangers trying to touch them. DH says I can scare people away and I say oh well. I know kids get sick, but when you have a preemie who had health problems you get a little more defensive. Good luck with making your decision and stick to it. Don't let anyone tell you that you are being over protective.

 

Last year I kept bottles of hand sanitizer around the house. One bottle was on the table in the entry way by the front door, one bottle was on a little stand I had next to the glider in the living room and one bottle was on the change table. Anyone who came in and wanted to hold the babies had to sanitize first. Since you are most contagious with a cold before you have any symptoms I was fine with people coming over who were just getting over a cold.