Flu shots

oliviosis

Has anyone discussed family/friends getting a flu shot if they are going to be around your LO early on? What was their reaction??

I've brought it up to 3 people so far: my SIL who will be watching my son after I go back to work, my husband and my mom.  All three acted like I was crazy!  All three conversations ended with me fuming.  My husband WILL get one, he doesn't have a choice.  I just don't know how much to push it with everyone else.  I feel strongly that those who will be around him day in and day out should be vaccinated and their arguments against it are ridiculous.  My SIL says she doesn't trust it and doesn't put foreign things in her body (I don't know how to arugue against that one).  My DH and mom say everyone they know gets the flu after they get a flu shot (and it's true, the flu shot doesn't guarantee that you won't get the flu since the vaccines only immunize against certain strains but you can't get those strains FROM the flu shot).   I just don't know how much to push it...I'm frustrated already.

smilelari

Having a baby during flu season, I think this is a pretty big deal.  Last time I asked everyone that would be around baby a lot to get flu shots - my dad, mom, sister, husband, MIL - and they all did.  Rule is no flu shot, no seeing the baby.

diddlenation

luckily my family always gets their flu shots every year regardless so this won't have to be discussed but i can see your concern.  I am making my mom come spend a month with us after I go back to work because i just can't put my newborn in daycare during the worst months of flu season.  The Flu and Newborns are a bad combination.

MrsG.060708

My family will all get one, they do every year. DH hasn't had one in years, but I told him that we're having a baby in flu season and he needs to to protect her. It helps that this convo was while we were at DD's pedi appt and her Dr agreed with me.

I asked my ILs to get one last year when the came to visit during flu season and I don't think they did...and DD got sick for the first time. I was pissed. If they plan on visiting this baby when she's first born, they will get one or they won't see her. I'm not putting my newborn's health at risk because a grown adult can't get one little shot.

JillianAshley6

I asked my parents- and they both agreed. H and I will both get one.

I also asked my MIL. She and my FIL tend to be into alternative medicine, so I knew this was going to be an uphill battle. I asked them to get both their flu shot and a TDAP (Pertussis) booster (my parents and us will both get the TDAP as well) 

She said she would "look into it". Then she started talking about how believing in Christ and praying for your health should protect you from all illnesses, diseases, etc. Its a conversation I plan to have with her several times over the next few months. I'll present information, etc. Hopefully that will win her over.

If not, we will not allow her to be near Maddie when MIL/FIL have a cough or don't feel their best. I'm not willing to keep them away totally (it would damage their relationship with Maddie, and with my H and I), but I am willing to try to do everything I can to keep this kiddo safe.

Lindsaylovesdogs

Absolutely everyone who holds my baby needs to have had a flu shot and be totally free of any symptoms of illness.  I will be paying for flu shots for my nanny and housekeeper.  This is something I will really be a stickler on.  I have a compromised immune system due to a genetic disorder.  I don't want my baby to live in a bubble, but I think asking people around the baby to have flu shots is pretty reasonable!

 

RedCamaro

As PP said, no flu shot, no seeing baby. They will understand just how serious you are when you say that. The flu season is so serious that hospitals are adpoting a VERY strict visitation policy. No one except your DH/SO will be allowed to see to you while you're in the hospital (none of your kids either). They did this in my area a few years ago during the H1N1 flu season. But I'm not sure if any of the hospitals are still doing it. I plan on asking during our hospital tour.

All of our family understand just how scary an infant getting sick can be, so everyone is getting a flu shot. For your SIL   I really can't see why your family members won't want to get a simple flu shot for the health of your newborn! I guess you could put a guilt trip on them and show them pictures of babies in the NICU.

loughli5

If it makes you feel any better, I got the same reaction from my own mother.  She blew a gasket when I said that the family would need to get their flu shots and Pertussis vaccines.  The fortunate thing is that she knows how stubborn I am, so if she or the family doesn't get them, they won't be at the birth or seeing our little girl for at least 6 to 8 weeks.  Knowing this, I'm sure she will come around.  My advice would be to just be persistent and stand your ground.  Sooner or later, they will come around.

oliviosis

Sooo my SIL just text me and said she'd thought about it and that she'll get the flu shot because she said she'd never forgive herself if something happend to him because of her.  She's not happy about it but she's going to do it so that's all that matters to me right now.

I know my mom will come around too, she's going to have to.  It's just that after the first three reactions, I'm dreading talking to the rest of the family about it.   

MommaErica

Yes, I told everyone who would be spending any significant time with my son that they should get a flu shot and most people did.  You can't really enforce it though.  If your child was going to daycare, you would have no way to be certain that the daycare provider got their shot.  Also ,keep in mind, the flu shot isn't a sure thing.   Good common sense practices like not playing pass the baby with every person who comes to visit during flu season and being insane about making sure people wash their hands will do much more to keep your baby healthy.

It's really most important that every adult in this child's life get their pertussis booster if they haven't already.  I would make a bigger deal about that one if yuou are going to focus on the vaccination status of the people around your child.

klreese0213

the only person i will ask to get a flu shot would be my mother. She has COPD, which is typically accompanied with chronic bronchitic, especially during flu season. My sister is also asking her since she helps my sister with her daycare. So it wouldn't just be me asking. If anyone one else insists on showing up at the hospital with what seems to be sickness they will be asked to not come in. and people like my mother with a chronic cough will be asked to wear a mask.

As for at home visits, i will decline ANYONE i feel is unhealthy.