Moms of older babies, how are you handling RSV season?

jodynjames2005

We've been denied Synagis by our insurance three times (one appeal left, argh), and originally I was planning to pretty much stay home all RSV season. But, my girls get SO cranky in the afternoons that we just cannot keep them happy once it hits about 2 pm. We usually take them for walks, but we live in Seattle so now it's generally raining and we can't.

I signed up for a membership to a children's museum and enrolled the girls in Gymboree classes once a week. I was thinking that we could go to the museum when it's yucky outside. But, that place is germ central, as is Gymboree. On the other hand, if we stay home all winter, I will have two very cranky, unhappy babies.

If they were younger, it would be an easy decision... stay home. But, they are almost a year old now. Am I doing the right thing by taking them out more often? WDYT?

Mrs. Destructo

Our pediatrician said there is no reason for us to keep the boys sequestered this winter, but she did say that it's best that they stay out of daycare, and especially to not leave them at the daycare center at a gym or church. She said those daycares where babies stay for just an hour or 2 are the worst for RSV germs, because there is almost no accountability and the parents think that it's no big deal to leave their sick kids there for a short time.

We're pretty much conducting business as usual. I SAHM with them, but we try to get out of the house every day for playgroups, errands, trips to the zoo, lunch dates, etc. 

ijack

How easy would it be to clean the things they use at gymboree?? We do a music class and I just sterilize (with alcohol wipes) everything that she touches before she touches it (it's basic musical instruments and the teacher is cool with it, she even told me that she'd put aside a set of everything that is just for E to use). I think if you could do something like that you would be okay

mhop

Like PP we are keeping her out of daycare and definitely no church or gym nurseries.  She does go to Kindermusik but she has her own instruments that the other kids don't touch.  We also sent an email to our families before Thanksgiving (which caused huge drama...ughhh) to remind them of the importance of being cautious around her. 

Other than that, we've still been taking her around our friends and to places like Target.  We just make sure to use Purell constantly and have others use Purell before they hold her.

Of course...she now has a cold so I don't know if we're being strict enough.  But I'm a teacher and exposed to nasty germs all the time and I think I gave her the cold b/c I was sniffly around the same time she started so who knows?

Matilda&Leon

Well Evan doesn't go to daycare so that is a huge relief since we got denied twice. 

Last year we didn't leave the house except for two times, once at my parents house and once his parents house.  Like you there was no way I could do that this year with Evan.  We have gone to the store and just walk around.  I hung up his sygnisis stop sign and I can't believe how that thing works.  It also gives me a chance to brag about him when I see people staring at the sign  

Really I haven't had any problems at all.  I generally stay away from people and I don't let him touch one thing.  If somebody near me sneezes or cough I quickly turn the other way and I will spray lysol.  Again I don't care if I get a stare because I will be more then happy to brag about my little man and how far he has come. 

AviatorJJ

i can't stay inside with Rowen any longer either. he has been in Gymboree since spring. and it is impossible to clean everything he would touch there and the other parents would look at you like you were nuts. lol! however he does not go to any daycare and we are very careful with washing hands. if i saw a really sick kid at Gymboree i would leave. i also wash off shopping carts and tables at restaurants. just do the best you can.

KellyMichelle

Our first season we didn't leave the house, our second season we went to malls, target, etc during the morning hours when it wasn't crowded.  We still avoided germ places as much as possible.  Last year we did things like children's museum and library storytime I just did lots of hand washing/ sanitizing.  This year he is 3 and we are avoiding situations where I know people are sick and still being a little picky where he goes, but i'm trying to let him be more "normal"  It's hard though.