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#1
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pestilence and public places
Ever since the kidlets came home from the hospital, they and I have found
that we *really* cope better with each other if we get out of the house and wander public places like shopping malls. I don't think a weekday goes by that we aren't somewhere window shopping and, since the kidlets are twins, we do attract a lot of attention: most people I find are really good about not touching them or sticking their faces too close to the babes'. My mom was visiting yesterday, and expressed grave concerns about this habit now that cold and flu season is upon us. She thinks I'm exposing the boys to too many germs. The boys are up to date with their standard vaccinations. In addition, they are receiving Menugate and Prevnar. And because they were preemies, they are also receiving the RSV vaccine. How much of a danger are the kids in by going out? Should we get them flu shots (our doctor is willing but not pushing one way or the other)? TIA Marie Chris and Alex--born 04/23/03 at 31wks gestational :-) Meet the Kidlets at http://ca.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/mmcw2 |
#2
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pestilence and public places
Goodness, Marie, whatever you do -- on this one, PLEASE don't listen to
your mom! Keep taking your sons out and about, going for walks, etc. -- there are just *so many* reasons to do this, and so few valid ones for keeping them home to protect them. IME, yes, your sons will get colds -- but that's going to happen anyway. Presumably, you'll have to take them to doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, religious services, or whatever *you* regularly leave the house for at least sometimes. Even if you *could* keep them home constantly, you can't keep yourself, your partner, your friends and family, and every other person who might visit your home from ever going out in public and being exposed to germs. And aside from being preemies, it doesn't sound like your sons currently have any health problems that might warrant being on the paranoid side about germs. (For example, I know 2 or 3 families in which a child has chronic respiratory problems -- and they don't keep their kids at home constantly, but as the same cold that keeps my DD home for a day or 2 tops might knock their children out for a week, I understand that they're a bit more vigilant about germs than I am.) So honestly, I think the reasonable precautions it sounds like you're already taking (not letting strangers, especially if they seem to be coughing or sniffling, get right up in the babies' faces; presumably not letting your sons wriggle around on the bare floor of the supermarket or shopping mall) are more than enough. On the flip side, there are about a zillion good reasons to take your sons out in public as often as you can. Not the least of which is your state of mind -- I know when my DD was a baby and I was home with her, we had a regular routine of excursions (grocery shopping on Monday, the library on Tuesday, long walk in the park on Wednesday, etc.) that saved my sanity, because I knew *I* had that change of scenery and dose of adult contact to look forward to. I also think babies learn more/ better this way -- heck, if I think staying home is boring, they probably do, too, so odds are they'll enjoy the different sights and sounds and smells of (to us) ordinary places like the grocery store or the mall. As a funny aside, though, it may be possible for them to enjoy it *too* much. Once, when DD was about 9 months old, I was grocery shopping, and had her in a baby backpack, so I could hear and talk with her, but not actually see her. As she wanted to grab and touch everything I picked up to show her/ buy, if not everything in the store, I finally hit upon something that wasn't toxic (e.g., scouring powder), dangerous if dropped (heavy cans or bottles), or just plain messy (e.g., ripe tomatoes) -- a lemon. So, I showed her the lemon, squeezed it just a bit to let her smell it, and gave it to her to hold. Well ... I didn't realize till about 15 minutes later, when I got to the checkout, that she'd taken a BIG bite out of that nub of rind at the end, and was happily chewing on the rind/ sucking on the lemon. (And yes, she loves sour foods to this day.) -HB Ever since the kidlets came home from the hospital, they and I have found that we *really* cope better with each other if we get out of the house and wander public places like shopping malls. I don't think a weekday goes by that we aren't somewhere window shopping and, since the kidlets are twins, we do attract a lot of attention: most people I find are really good about not touching them or sticking their faces too close to the babes'. My mom was visiting yesterday, and expressed grave concerns about this habit now that cold and flu season is upon us. She thinks I'm exposing the boys to too many germs. The boys are up to date with their standard vaccinations. In addition, they are receiving Menugate and Prevnar. And because they were preemies, they are also receiving the RSV vaccine. How much of a danger are the kids in by going out? Should we get them flu shots (our doctor is willing but not pushing one way or the other)? TIA Marie Chris and Alex--born 04/23/03 at 31wks gestational :-) Meet the Kidlets at http://ca.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/mmcw2 |
#3
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pestilence and public places
Your mom sounds like my sister. When she had her son she stayed home for the
first 6 weeks - did not go out at all. I can't imagine doing that personally. I say keep going out. I know my kids eat and sleep better when they've been out. Jsut the fresh air alone is good for them. Sure there are germs but ya know, just be sensible. You're hardly going to let people cough all over the babies. Sophie #4 due 7/18/04 |
#4
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pestilence and public places
"Marie" wrote in message able.rogers.com... Ever since the kidlets came home from the hospital, they and I have found that we *really* cope better with each other if we get out of the house and wander public places like shopping malls. I don't think a weekday goes by that we aren't somewhere window shopping and, since the kidlets are twins, we do attract a lot of attention: most people I find are really good about not touching them or sticking their faces too close to the babes'. My mom was visiting yesterday, and expressed grave concerns about this habit now that cold and flu season is upon us. She thinks I'm exposing the boys to too many germs. The boys are up to date with their standard vaccinations. In addition, they are receiving Menugate and Prevnar. And because they were preemies, they are also receiving the RSV vaccine. How much of a danger are the kids in by going out? A good deal less than the danger they would be in if you went nuts from staying home every day. Should we get them flu shots (our doctor is willing but not pushing one way or the other)? I have no opinion about this, but the whole germ freak out is way over blown IMO. TIA Marie Chris and Alex--born 04/23/03 at 31wks gestational :-) Meet the Kidlets at http://ca.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/mmcw2 |
#5
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pestilence and public places
Marie wrote in message able.rogers.com... Ever since the kidlets came home from the hospital, they and I have found that we *really* cope better with each other if we get out of the house and wander public places like shopping malls. I don't think a weekday goes by that we aren't somewhere window shopping and, since the kidlets are twins, we do attract a lot of attention: most people I find are really good about not touching them or sticking their faces too close to the babes'. My mom was visiting yesterday, and expressed grave concerns about this habit now that cold and flu season is upon us. She thinks I'm exposing the boys to too many germs. The boys are up to date with their standard vaccinations. In addition, they are receiving Menugate and Prevnar. And because they were preemies, they are also receiving the RSV vaccine. How much of a danger are the kids in by going out? Most people are good about not going close if they've a cold. If you're feeding them then they shouldn't be in much danger at all. Should we get them flu shots (our doctor is willing but not pushing one way or the other)? Don't bother really. Apparently the latest flu jab protects against one sort of flu-but not the owrst sort going round. Anyway flu mutates so quickly that even if it stops them from getting it from one person there's a reasonable chance they'll get a slightly mutated version from another. Go out. Don't worry. It's much easier when you're out, and they'll enjoy it. You'll all benefit from the fresh air too. Debbie |
#6
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pestilence and public places
On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 17:11:23 GMT, "Marie" wrote:
My mom was visiting yesterday, and expressed grave concerns about this habit now that cold and flu season is upon us. She thinks I'm exposing the boys to too many germs. I wouldn't take mom's word for that. The boys are up to date with their standard vaccinations. In addition, they are receiving Menugate and Prevnar. And because they were preemies, they are also receiving the RSV vaccine. Is Menugate the meningitis C vaccine? That one's not recommended for routine administration here. How much of a danger are the kids in by going out? Not that much more than another kid of their size. Should we get them flu shots (our doctor is willing but not pushing one way or the other)? I would get them flu shots (we also had prevnar and synagis for my youngest, in addition to flu), and maintain your current routine except when your or the kids are ill, or if your doctor recommends strongly against it with what seem to be reasonable arguments. |
#7
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pestilence and public places
How much of a danger are the kids in by going out?
Should we get them flu shots (our doctor is willing but not pushing one way or the other)? Sure, they may may pick something up on one of your excursions, so may you. You may catch something if you are out without them and bring it home, your SO may bring something home from work. People get sick. Wash your hands and use common sense and enjoy your trips to the mall. Karen |
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