2 Babies With Coughing Crud!

I love the Autumn season with the chill in the air, the changing colors on the trees, and the smell of fireplaces ablaze!

But that unwelcome "cold and flu season" that tags along is something I can do without!!

UGHHH!

I am currently caring for 2 foster babies...both 9 months old.

And guess what?  They are both sick with colds that have settled down in their little chests. 

Everybody knows that babies and coughs signal danger! 
There is a high risk of the babies developing pneumonia, the H1N1 virus, RSV, or any other of the deadly respiratory viral strains.


So what can we do to protect our babies?

1. Don't be afraid to call your pediatrician and talk to the advice nurse.  We don't like seeing babies with a cough for more than 2 or 3 days.
2. Unfortunately there aren't any cold/cough/flu meds that are safe or affective for babies so we have to treat the symptoms with humidifiers, saline nasal sprays, and elevating baby's head.
3. Be on the lookout for ear and eye infections.
4. Wash your hands, baby's hands, and anyone's hands who touches baby or her toys.

We often get carried away with anti-bacterial soaps. 

It is actually not a good idea to use them.

Using antibacterial soaps kills good bacteria and weaker bacteria.  This leaves space in the bacterial ecosystem for the stronger and more deadly bacteria to take over.

Our bodies need to be exposed to a certain amount of bacteria so our immune systems can build up antibodies.
The more opportunity our bodies have to build up antibodies, the better able we are to fight off future infections.
This is the concept behind being vaccinated.


With this being said, when our babies, or someone in our household, is sick, handwashing is by far the best method in preventing the spread of disease.

Other things to do:

• frequently wash baby's hands with soap and water or use an antibacterial gel like Germ-X
• frequently wash baby's toys that he puts in his mouth
• if baby is crawling, keep your floors mopped extra thoroughly with a disinfectant solution
• quarantine your house
• visitors in & out of your house and going out on errands or visits expose babies to more germs than her weakened immune system can fight off
• additionally, increased activities create more stress and it is harder to recouperate 

And for my last bit of instruction....

I am a big advocate for opening those windows and letting the fresh air circulate through the house.
Keep the windows open for a half hour or so, depending on weather conditions.

Whether there is scientific proof or not, getting a fresh exchange of air when sick people are couped up in the house helps blow air contaminates and allergens out.

And you've gotta admit...it is refreshing!

Stay healthy!
Karen