Parents are sick

Teesa1221
  • By Teesa1221 · September 8, 2009 at 9:47 pm · 9 replies
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Right now my husband and I are both battling colds. My husband started out with it and he wasn't allowed near the baby or me. Unfortunately I got it anyway and now we're both sick. There is no one else to take care of Adam so we have to make due with our situation. Any thoughts on how to handle this? We sanitize constantly and wash up, change sheets every night, bath Adam etc... The only thing we didn't get are face masks because we couldn't find them and now it's probably too late. So it seems like even though we are keeping him home, we are still at risk ourselves from our everyday life.

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9 replies   

alexjo

I couldn't find face masks either. My doc gave us some. It might still be worth it to run and get some from the clinic tomorrow. You just do the best you can to keep them from getting sick.

Hope he stays healthy :)

MomtoBabyDale

This is always a scary thing, but my husband was sick on several occassions and my son never caught it. I strongly believe it was because we washed our hands like crazy! Back when my son came home (October 2008), I posted a similar discussion on this website. You should check it out because it has other replies on it, too:

http://www.inspire.com/groups/preemie/discussion/my-husband-is-sick-what-to -do/

I am sure your family will get through this. Please keep us updated on your progress!

katek

Teesa1221,

Good luck with everything. It sounds like you are doing as much as you can to protect your little one.

We went through a lot of paper towels especially during the first year. We avoided the cloth towels in the bathroom for handwashing, because while they are more environmentally friendly, they can also host germs from the moisture and constant use.

We had 3M Avagard D all over the house. Excellent hand sanitizer that doesn't dry out the hands, causing cracking, like other products do: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Healthcare-Sanitizer-Avagard-Moisturizer/dp/B001CP 8158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1252469265&sr=8-1

If you are pumping or breastfeeding, keep at it. When you get sick, you'll develop antibodies that go right into the breastmilk, which is good for baby.

During the first year, we avoided going out into crowds any more than necessary. That meant no b-balls games for RSV season or trips to the movies unless it was off hours. We also tended to shop off hours too. We couldn't completely avoid people b/c I teach (often large lectures), but we tried to minimize contact within reason. But sometimes these things just happen.

Good luck with everything. Hoping you make a swift recovery.

cmm1210

I had a horrible cold over the 4th of July and Nicholas never got it. I stayed in a different room the whole time and used a mask. I found them near the bandaides at Walmart. You might also want to check Home Depot. We got some there too. They were a lot bigger and thicker but worked.

Reagansmom

I also found face masks at Giant where they sell the bandaids, first aid ointment, etc. That was a year ago though, so I don't know how hard it is to find them now that swine flu is going around.
I should stock up again next time I am at the store so I am prepared for this winter. cmm1210 had a good suggestion of trying home depot, I believe they would be in the painting section.

CalliesMommy

Some home remedies that I found on the internet that are working for us is a mix of pureed ginger root, grapefruit, pineapple and lemon. Its gross but if you make a juice out of it and drink it yourself and give little bits from a syringe to baby it should help.
Its supposed to be rich in vitamin C and other things that help fight off colds, and the ginger cleared our congestion so we were not coughing and sneezing and spreading germs that way.

Good luck!

Teesa1221

Well Adam got sick. Went to the doctor this morning and he feels that he looks pretty good considering. Just need to watch him carefully to make sure it doesn't get to his lungs. Now we have to postpone hernia surgery for the 4th time! Only 3 more weeks before I go back to work too. Pray his cold doesn't get worse.

quadmomma

Have you tried looking for the face masks at dollar stores or paint stores? thats where I get them. Don't know what your weather is like there, but if you can maybe open up some windows....?

hth

Teesa1221

I got the face masks from the doctor two days ago but I guess it was too late. The weather has been very windy and rainy this past week. Hoping we can open up the house tomorrow though.

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