September - 23, 2024

Navigating Sick Season

As we near winter and with older children going back to school, it’s common for illnesses to spread. If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, you don’t want to get sick or have your baby getting sick. In this blog post, we will discuss what you can do to help prevent sickness, how to keep your immunity up, and when you should see a doctor if you or your baby are sick. 

Preventing Illness

One of the best things you can do to prevent you or your baby from getting sick is to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face in between washes. Make sure that you are lathering well, getting in between your fingers and nails, and that you are washing long enough. When in doubt, bust the ABC song out! 

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Avoid going to crowded indoor spaces. Places where people are packed into one space have an increased risk of causing illness. If someone coughs or sneezes, droplets of their spit can travel up to 6 feet and remain airborne for minutes afterward. You could walk right through a cloud of airborne pathogens without knowing someone has recently coughed or sneezed. 

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Getting air circulating can decrease the risk of becoming sick as well. Opening a window, running a fan, or turning on the A/C or heater can help break up stagnant air. Make sure to replace the filters in your A/C and furnace every three months. 

Strengthen Your Immune System

Building a strong immune system is all about creating harmony within your body. Staying active, drinking plenty of water, and eating well will all contribute to keeping your immune system in tip-top shape. Limit consuming excessive amounts of sugar, drinking alcohol, and smoking or vaping. 

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Stress can impact our immune system as well so make sure you are taking the time to manage your stress properly. Feel your feelings as they come, pay attention to how those emotions are making you feel, where in your body you feel them, and try to do some somatic shaking or meditation to help your brain and body move through the process. 

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Getting vaccinated will help fight against the specific infections they are created for, such as the flu vaccine. During pregnancy, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated for the flu, RSV, and whooping cough. For more information on vaccinations during pregnancy, ask our midwives or your local pharmacist. 

When to See a Doctor

Knowing when to go to the doctor can be challenging. If you suspect it’s just a cold, you can usually just stay home and wait it out. Here’s what signs and symptoms to watch out for that would warrant a visit to the doctor-

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• Having a fever during flu season or if the fever lasts longer than three days
  • Babies under 3 months old- 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Infants under 1 year old- 102 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Children over 1 year old- 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• Lethargic 
• Trouble breathing
• Difficulty staying hydrated or keeping foods down

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Encourage getting lots of fluids (breastmilk and formula for younger babies), rest, and turn on a humidifier. Dry air can make it more difficult to breathe if you have a stuffy nose. For breastfeeding mothers, make sure you’re getting plenty of water and food, otherwise, you might notice a dip in your milk supply. If your baby is old enough for solids, don’t worry if they’re not eating as much as they normally do as long as they’re getting some kind of nutrition. Consider giving them some Pedialyte to help with hydration and snuggle your little one often to comfort them. Lastly, you can give your child ibuprofen or Tylenol but get in touch with your midwives or pediatrician first to make sure you’re giving the correct dose for their weight. 

For more information or if you have any questions, contact our midwives today!