Tips for Managing Cold, Flu, and RSV Season with a Preemie
Cold and flu season is here and for parents of preemies, this season can be hugely terrifying. Many refer to this time of year as a “lock-down” time when we do all we can to keep our preemie away from germs in order to keep them healthy.
We asked our preemie parent mentors to create a list of ideas to help other parents of preemies get through cold, flu, and RSV season. The tips aren’t just for parents of preemies, though! You can share this list with family and friends, because we can all do our part to protect preemies and other babies and kids who are especially vulnerable to colds, the flu, and RSV. Here’s what you need to do to get through winter with your preemie:
Share the importance of FREQUENT hand washing with family and friends.
Make sure all visitors wash their hands before holding your preemie. Visitors should also leave their shoes by the door to avoid bringing germs (and dirt) into your home.
Smokers and anyone who has been around sick people should change their clothes before spending time around your premature baby.
Ask visitors to leave their purses and bags at the door. These items can be full of germs!
Put antibacterial wipes at the door so visitors to clean their cell phones (which are also full of germs).
Have hand sanitizer in multiple locations around your home.
Simply do not allow anyone around your preemie if they are sick, have been sick, or have been around someone who is sick.
Be specific when asking about recent illnesses. Ask visitors if they are symptom free – are they/have they been free of a fever? Do they have body aches or chills? Do they feel run down or unusually tired? Do they have a scratchy throat or a cough?
Stay away from crowds. Think carefully before attending any parties or family gatherings unless you can be 100% sure no one there will be sick.
It’s okay to go outside and take a walk. If you find yourself with a beautiful day in your area, take advantage of it! Fresh air is not going to hurt your child. If anything, it will do you and your child quite a bit of good to be outside the house and in the fresh air (away from crowds).
When you must take your child for a doctor’s appointment, communicate with the office ahead of time that you will be bringing a medically fragile preemie into the office. Make it clear that you need to be able to wait away from others in order to keep your child healthy.
Ask your doctor if there is a separate waiting area away from sick patients. If not, ask if you can go straight to the exam room. Or if you can wait in your car until they are ready for you. If possible, schedule appointments early in the morning to minimize your preemie’s exposure to germs.
Ask about the Synagis shot to help protect against RSV. While obtaining the shot is becoming more and more difficult, ask your doctor to advocate to your insurance company on your behalf.
Those “Don’t Touch My Baby” sign are a must in cold, flu, and RSV season. Hang one everywhere – on the car seat, on your diaper bag, on the stroller. Do not be afraid of offending others. Keeping your child healthy is your number one priority.
Shower or change clothes after doctor appointments or when older children or your spouse arrive home. Clothes are full of germs. You never know what germs you may have picked up that are now residing on your clothes.
If possible, try to run errands alone on the weekend or in the evenings when your spouse or a friend can watch your preemie.
Place signs in your house to remind friends and families of the procedures you have put into place and why they are in place. Remind them that your child has a weakened immune system due to their premature birth and that you are doing all you can in order to protect them this winter.
If illness is keeping you from being able to see family and friends in person, connect with them virtually. Skype play dates, and FaceTime with grandparents. Even if it’s not in person, a little face to face time will help ease the tedium of the “lock-down” season.
Most important, stand your ground. Yes. It is HARD to have to tell friends and family they can’t visit because they have been sick. You have put the “lock-down” into place to protect your child and they are your number one priority.
If your friends and family insist on helping you in some way, ask them to make a meal and leave it by your door. Ask them to mail you a gift card or leave it in your mailbox. Even though they can’t see you and your baby in person, there are ways they can still help you.