Last autumn, I heard a lot of people predicting that we would have a rough winter. They were referring to the weather, of course. The weather hasn't been too bad, in my opinion, but then we are less than a month in to the season.
What I have seen is an increase in upper respiratory illness, especially in the very young infants that are in our care. In 18 years of practice I have never had to send an infant to the ER for breathing issues due to infection. We have sent THREE this winter so far. Not cool.
Here is what we tell our mamas to watch for in their newborns:
Difficulty breathing - faster than normal respirations (more than 60 per minute), grunting, nasal flaring, or retractions
Fever - anything over 100.4
Inability to maintain their body temperature above 97.5
Lethargy - a baby should not be as limp as a ragdoll. Even when they are sound asleep, they will respond to stimuli. You should be able to rouse them, even though they may go right back to sleep. Babies who are lethargic also feed poorly or not at all.
Any other unusual behavior or a cry that doesn't seem normal for them
If you see any of these signs, take your baby to the ER. Don't call for a pediatric appointment unless you know your doctor can see your baby immediately.
Sometimes it is difficult to avoid exposing a baby to illness when siblings or parents are sick. However, outside visitors who are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED NEAR THE BABY. Sorry, grandma and grandpa. You've got 18 years to get to know your new grandchild. Get over your cold/flu/covid first and then pay a visit for those sweet baby snuggles. And if you aren't sick, WASH YOUR HANDS before touching the baby!
If you're taking your baby out when they are a bit older, we advise keeping them close to you and covered in a wrap of some type. This can help deter some people from touching/ getting too close, especially if you tell them that baby is nursing!
This may also be an appropriate place to note that choosing a homebirth when/where family members are sick puts your midwife at risk of catching a "bug", and may put her out of commission for appointment days and other births that she is on call for. It may be a little more inconvenient to come to the birth center during labor, but we would appreciate your consideration!
Please help us keep our littlest clients healthy and safe this winter. Wash your hands frequently. And if you're sick, stay home!
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