Flu Shots before visiting baby?

Re: Flu Shots before visiting baby?

• lightgetsin member

  March 2013

  I think that is too much to ask.  If you had the flu shot while pg, you have passed on that immunity to your baby.  If you plan to bf, your baby will have even more immunity.  Also, flu season is almost over.
  

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• AMomWithABlog member

  March 2013

  I have been somewhat of a germophobe throughout this pregnancy, escpecially at work where I'm surrounded by other "sickies." But if you had the flu shot, I would agree with the first poster that they have some of the immunity as well. With that being said, there have been some strains of the flu virus that were not included in the vaccine.
  Ask whatever makes you feel safest. Your (and babys) comfort is most important. What is the lieklihood that your baby would get the flu? Probably unlikely, but better safe than sorry I say if you feel strongly about it.

  

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• MikeBeth1 member

  March 2013

  I have had the shot. I'm certainly not going to not let them visit if they haven't had it, I was just wondering about the general consensus. I'm military and just assumed that everyone got the vaccine, but when I asked MIL, she said that no one on that side had.

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• emw8910 member

  March 2013

  I completely understand your concern but I feel like it's a little much to ask. Also, I know several people that got a flu shot and still ended up with some sort of flu regardless. I think frequent hand washing, making sure people are careful and obviously not letting any sick visitors come should be fine.

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• wittyschaffy member

  March 2013

  We asked our immediate family members to consider flu shots and I will be a stickler about updated boosters for pertussis for any caregivers until our kiddo is old enough to start their own series.  My side of the fam all boostered up for my nephew's birth so were all set and my ILs happily boostered up for our baby.  It really wasn't a big deal.  In full disclosure, 3/4ths of my family is in health care and are boostered for work anyway so take it for what it is worth.

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• Happy2BPregnant member

  March 2013

  tmsgrl:

  I think that is too much to ask.  If you had the flu shot while pg, you have passed on that immunity to your baby.  If you plan to bf, your baby will have even more immunity.  Also, flu season is almost over.
  

  This.
  

  

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• MmmCoffee member

  March 2013

  My baby came 4 weeks early, so she landed herself in the NICU (and is still there... hopefully we'll go home soon!). At our hospital, it is a NICU rule that to visit, one HAS to have have had a flu shot, and it had to have been over a week prior to the visit. Neither my husband or I have gotten the flu shot, but we are exempt from the rule since we are the parents and kind of necessary. I talked to my ob about us getting the flu shot now that she's born, and she said that it wasn't necessary because the flu season is almost over.

   

  However, the only grandparent that had gotten the flu shot prior to the surprise birth was my mom, so she was the only visitor allowed in to see little Lydia. DH's mom got her flu shot immediately and was so excited when her week of waiting was up to come see her.

   

  Because of what my ob said, and because I have a really strong immune system (I'm a high school teacher and haven't needed to take a sick day in a few years), I figured that baby is not in too much danger of contracting the flu as long as I am careful with who visits her (they shouldn't be exhibiting any symptoms of sickness).

   

  I would think about weighing the risk of contracting the flu in your area and situation with the fallout of in-law conflict...I guess it really depends on your situation. Even with a preemie, I have decided that I want to make sure the family doesn't feel excluded while also pushing the hand sanitizer and letting my mom and DH's mom be the sickness police (they are both very conscious of that stuff).  

  

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