Mom's of toddler preemies...HELP!

gymrat · October 2009

OK, so naturally I've been cautious about germs with my two from the beginning. Last winter we didn't go anywhere w/ them except to doctor's appointments and we had limited visitors.

I don't know how to approach this winter. For example, I have to take them grocery shopping tomorrow, Satruday they have a neighborhood Halloween party and Sunday we're supposed to go to my cousins for the Packer/Viking game. UGH.

It's so hard with toddlers. I don't want them living in a bubble but part of me feels like I don't have to be as crazy this year. They're almost 18 months old and they've had a few colds (none in the chest, affecting their lungs) and that's it.

I'm very, very careful everytime we go somewhere like using hand sanitizer, wiping down carts or just keeping them in their stroller and of course asking if there are any sick kids around...

Please weigh-in moms.... Over the summer we had a weekend ritual of going out to breakfast every Saturday. Now I want it to end and DH wants it to continue.

Oh and they've only received half of the seasonal flu shot. I couldn't get them the second half because our pedi ran out. I haven't gotten them the swine flu shot because it involves standing in long lines for it and they'd have to get a booster for it anyways and there's no quarantee it will be available.

KellyMichelle · October 2009

It is hard and you just kind of have to do what you feel comfortable with. Each winter we did a little more than the year before. I still don't take him into large crowds or situations where I know there will be sick people.

I think breakfast would be ok to do. I know it is hard to know what is best.

pmkmp · October 2009

All I can say is follow your heart - or your gut. We were going to be less restrictive with Aubrey this winter, but with H1N1 going around like wild fire here, we're now back to being in major seclusion. I feel so bad for Aubrey... she's needs the outside world - stimulation, interaction, etc. I suppose it's a bit different for us being Aubrey isn't as old as your kids and she's in a lower body cast. That darn cast... imagine if she got sick while in that thing? Once Aubrey is out of the cast (Dec. 3), we'll probably be more willing to put her in small group situations, but definitely no shopping or large groups. Hang in there! It's another long winter - hopefully we can all help to keep each other sane!

goblue · October 2009

It is very hard - especially because we got used to going out a fair amount over the summer. It was nice to have a social life again! Our pedi and NICU cautioned us that preemies are particularly vulnerable until age 2. And our developmental therapist told us that of the preemies she knows who get sick, most of them get sick the second winter because parents are less cautious. Ugh!

Did they get 2 doses of the flu shot last year? if so, I don't think they need to get 2 doses again this year. Also, the nurse who gave DS the H1N1 shot said that he will still have some protection, even if he doesn't get the second shot for that (or gets it late). Are they going to get synagis this year?

Is the neighborhood Halloween party outside? We took DS to one last Sunday that was outside. He is still not interested in other kids, so he mostly sat in the leaves and played by himself. I think events inside crowded houses are more "risky" than outside or less crowded events. Where do you eat breakfast out? can you go to a less crowded place or at an off time?

Mrs. Destructo · October 2009

Have you talked to their pedi about this? Your pedi might be able to assuage some of your fears.

For my kids' second winter, I just couldn't bear to keep us all locked down again. So we left the house every day. We went places where they wouldn't come in contact with other kids, so we'd do trips to the grocery store, Target, the mall, restaurants, walks around the park, etc. We eventually started going to playgroups with my local nesties, but I wouldn't go if any of the moms reported that their kids had been sick in the previous few days.

I'm actually keeping them more confined this winter because they haven't had the H1N1 or seasonal flu shots yet, but once they get those shots I'm going to try my hardest to pretend germs don't exist.

gymrat · October 2009

Goblue - they got synagis last year but don't qualify this year. They didn't get the flu shot last year, they were too young. So they did need the 2nd shot. Swine flu shots are very scarce around here and involve standing in long lines. Plus, they would need a booster.

Yes, the Halloween party is outside and because of their bedtime they'll only be there for an hour. We do already go to restaurants at an off-time and I always wipe the table with a sanitizing wipe.

Oh and my kids are very social. They love other kids. But my whole neighborhood knows about them preemies and they are usually careful around them.

Mrs. Destructo: their pedi is way more lax than I am about germs. She says as long as no one is sick than all is fine and not to take them to crowded indoor areas.

lemen99 · October 2009

I don't have any advice but (HUGS)!

You're a good mom. Follow your gut!

ijack · October 2009

Our pedi actually told us to treat her like any "normal" 18 month old, which I thought was a little much, but we're definitely more lax. E is also in daycare now, which basically forced me to be more lax. Obviously I don't have her around people I know are sick, but we still go out. At restaurants I wipe everything down with a bleach wipe, same with the shopping carts. I know that I can't keep her in a bubble forever and we've been very lucky to make it this far without a major issue

SBMBride406 · October 2009

We're doing what we would normally do with him. I am probably more cautious than your average non-preemie mom, but I am not putting him on lock down this winter. He is social, we have lots and lots of toddler friends, all of whom know to give me a heads up before they bring a sick child around us. We're are going to live a normal life, and pray we don't live to regret it.

hoping4more · October 2009

I came late, but just a suggestion... Would the DH be up for ending Saturday morning breakfast if maybe you went for Friday night pizza (or Chinese or pasta or whatever) and have it delivered? That way you get a treat but can enjoy it in your home with no need to go out in public! Maybe you can send DH to the video renal store to rent a movie too?