I'm another ftm and of course I worry about my babe getting sick.
However, on a practical note... a 3 plus month old with a fever is a million times less scary than if it happens sooner. A baby with a fever in the first 3 months often requires an ER visit, full lab work up (I'll spare the details) and likely hospital stay until fever gone. Because of this.. I am THRILLED that by the time the holidays and the bulk of cold and flu season come around our kiddos will be older.
Actually most fevers do not require an ER visit, lab work, or a hospital stay, This is a good thing as a FTM to talk to your pedi about (when should you be concerned and take them to the ER and when should you just monitor the fever and/or give them a cool bath to bring it down). It can be insanely scary though as a FTM because newborns spike much higher fevers that will scare the crap out of you. I remember DS spiking over 105 once and I freaked, threw him in the car and rushed him to our Dr (which is only about a mile away). They checked him out and gave me a llist of, "as long as he doesn't start showing signs of xy or z...and the fever doesn't get above 106..." and they sent us home. You don't want to be needlessly taking a newborn into a germ infested ER unless absolutely necessary. Talking to your Dr will help though so you know what to look for (rashes, etc.) that are more of a cause for concern, and of course a call to the Pedi when they do spike a fever is always a good idea so they can make sure to ask any important questions on signs/symptoms baby may be exhibiting.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do you a source for this and are you referring to newborns 90 days old or younger? I am a nurse and it is widely accepted in the medical community that those under 90 days with fevers 100.5 or above should be ruled out for sepsis. Since infants have their mother's antibodies it should be more difficult for them to get sick, so if they do get sick it should be taken seriously
I am going by what my pediatrician has told me when DS was an infant and got fevers as well as what all of my friends pediatricians have told them. I am not saying don't do anything - I am saying talk to your pediatrician and call them with questions to let them determine if the baby needs to be seen at an ER before you rush them there every time. My DS had lots of fevers and they never once did bloodwork or any labs on him.
Ugh, I hate it when people call themselves a "whatever" nazi. Nazis committed genocide. You are a germophobe. Unless you are into eugenics, try stickler.
I had a November Baby and she has never been particularly sickly. We had Thanksgiving at our house when she was a week old. I am a firm believer that a healthy dose of dirt helps to build immunity. While I wouldn't hand my newborn over to someone who was hacking up a lung, a little exposure to germs is probably more beneficial than a comepletly sanitized environment.
I would also add that if you take the baby out of the equation altogether...how many family functions have you been to where someone has the flu, is sick, or in any way contagious? Maybe my family is just really good about this, but if we are sick, we don't attend whatever function it is. I have never once in my entire life gotten sick from a family function.
Re: Anyone else already worrying about baby health during the holidays?
I am going by what my pediatrician has told me when DS was an infant and got fevers as well as what all of my friends pediatricians have told them. I am not saying don't do anything - I am saying talk to your pediatrician and call them with questions to let them determine if the baby needs to be seen at an ER before you rush them there every time. My DS had lots of fevers and they never once did bloodwork or any labs on him.
I had a November Baby and she has never been particularly sickly. We had Thanksgiving at our house when she was a week old. I am a firm believer that a healthy dose of dirt helps to build immunity. While I wouldn't hand my newborn over to someone who was hacking up a lung, a little exposure to germs is probably more beneficial than a comepletly sanitized environment.