Would you let SO care for baby if they have a cold?

katie4253 · October 2011

H has a cold. He's got a temp of 99.

hepcats · October 2011

If I had the option not to, I probably wouldn't, and I'm soooooo not a freak about germs and the like. But, if there's no other options, then yes, with TONS of hand washing. 99 isn't much of a temp but you just never know.

dairygirl19 · October 2011

Yeah. I assume germs are already all over the house so if she's going to get a cold, she's going to get a cold. I was super sick when RubyCube was about 6 weeks. Someone had to take care of her. She never got sick anyways.

In your case with a preemie, I'd maybe be a little more cautious and make sure H washes his hands a lot more but other than that, I wouldn't go too paranoid over it. There's a point where it is what it is.

ladybug122 · October 2011

My SO was pretty sick with a cough and fever and headache, so once it hit I didn't let him hold or take care of my LO for about 2 days. After he started feeling better and his fever was gone, I let him take care of her but just be careful to wash his hands and not spread germs.

tokenhoser · October 2011

Dh came home with a cold about 4 days ago. He did his best to wash his hands and stay away from us... and now I've got it, and I think DS has it (but mildly, probably from leeching off my antibodies). It's hard because most people are contagious before they show symptoms.

In other words, yes, I'd probably just let him help out. I didn't, so I got to do all the work when he was sick... and now I'm stuck with all the work while I'm sick (because DH is gone today and was coaching all day yesterday).

MustanGTbaby13 · October 2011

I was the one with the cold. It was kinda hard not to be near DD when I am breastfeeding. DH got sick on Thursday and I am pretty much better now (~10 days w/ cold) and DD is kinda sick though not really. I am pretty sure my BM kept her healthy.

katie4253 · October 2011

Thanks ladies. I switched LO to 100% bm while he is sick. I actually think I have it too, just not as bad. So far LO seems okay. We're just trying to limit his exposure.

genekelly · October 2011

Yep but I don't have a preemie and would probably be a bit more conservative if I did. I figure if H gets it, I'll probably be exposed and since I'm EBFing, LO will be exposed as well. H currently is under the weather but putting LO to bed tonight.

Snapdragon750 · October 2011

I was wondering about this too! My husband refused to have anything to do with taking care of the baby when he had the sniffles and a sore throat for a week, but when it was me with the sniffles it didn't stop me. I just washed my hands before I fed her or made her a bottle, and also if I had just blown my nose or something.

If either of us had had a fever I would say stay away if possible until the fever has been gone for 24 hours.

dsmithplus2 · October 2011

If you have no other option, you don't have much of a choice. Hand washing is key! I take care of baby when I am sick and have no other choice.

kewltif · October 2011

I had strep throat and a fever last week. I made DH stay home one day because it takes 24 hours for the antibiotics to "probably" stop you from spreading it to anyone else. I was just paranoid of DD getting sick.

sunshine336 · October 2011

My DH was alone with M for an evening when he had a cold and a 99-100 temp. She didn't catch it. The germs are already in the house so she got exposed to them whether he was alone with her or not.

mari_gold · October 2011

"Let" him? Yes, but because we're equal parents and I don't consider myself his boss. The gems are all over, anyway, unless you're also kicking him out while he's sick.

jennalea09 · October 2011

You are most contagious before you even show symtoms so I am sure your baby has been exposed already. Good hand washing is all you can do!

damabo80 · October 2011

If Gabe were a term baby, I would say sure. But he's not.

M got a cold about 6 weeks or so ago. He didn't handle her at all uring that time. Sucked for me to play single mother for a week (about 4 days after his fever went away), not to mention housecleaner: wiping down all doorknobs/handles/tables etcmultiple times a day, but thankfully, C didn't get sick and neither did I.

If you can avoid having F touch him for a week or so, then go for it.

SarahKate31 · October 2011

I've had a cold for about 2 weeks now and DH has had a sinus infection/cold for a week. Someone has to take care of the baby though! So to answer your question, yes I would let DH take care of the baby, but actually getting him to do it while he's sick and feeling crappy is another story!

katie4253 · October 2011

mari_gold:
"Let" him? Yes, but because we're equal parents and I don't consider myself his boss. The gems are all over, anyway, unless you're also kicking him out while he's sick.

This is obnoxious. Don't read more into this than there is. I have a preemie. I am worried. H does plenty and is an equal partner. Good lord...

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