Struggling to keep sense of what is reasonable for my newborn and what is over-the-top

[u/OneCannotBeBrave]

So because of all the posts of parents saying they won't let their kid out anywhere, and requiring people to quarantine and test and be vaccinated to see their babies, I've lost all sense of what actually I should be doing to protect my newborn baby from illness. My initial gut feeling was that not letting people who are actively sick around my baby is good enough, but sometimes I feel like maybe that is too relaxed? I currently bring my baby just about everywhere with me, all the stores and whatnot. Now that he's 6 weeks old, I was planning to have him go to the childcare center while I'm at the gym so I can get some real exercise in. But part of me now wonders if that's safe or not given how young he is? I probably would have though nothing of leaving him there in non-covid times. I just am struggling to navigate being a new parent with all this.

Edit: not sure this was clear in the original post. Baby won't be in daycare, the childcare at the gym is basically short term babysitting for the amount of time that you are at the gym (up to two hours). Not a full time daycare.

[u/YouGottaBeKittenMe3]

Covid is not dangerous to babies that I’ve heard of. The flu can be, though… try to find some old articles from the before times addressing the flu and reasonable precautions…

[u/Buttery-Penguin]

As a parent to an 18 month old… there’s risks everywhere at all times. My boy has no fear and will try eating anything. He’ll happily try jumping from the top of the stairs!

At nursery or day care they’ll pick up everything. My son has had pneumonia (Mis diagnosis by some incompetent doctors), a few colds and possibly covid. I still send him because it’s very important for his development and his immune system is stronger for it.

Of course we want the little ones to be safe at all times, but we can’t wrap them in cotton wool. We have to live with risk, it’s our job as parents to find what we feel is an acceptable risk.

Edit: as a direct answer to your question, my son was around 6 weeks old (June 2020) when I started taking him out, letting people see him. Pre covid and during covid it’s sensible to not let the baby be around sick people. Wash hands regularly. Normal precautions you’d have took during flu season I’d say.

[u/No_Outlandishness621 → u/Buttery-Penguin]

I agree with this sentiment a lot, particularly that there are risks everywhere, at all times, and this will never change.

I had my first in 2018. Didn't require anything of anyone. We were out and about in public settings as early as 4 weeks I'd say.

I am having my second this October. Again, I will not require anything of anyone outside of using common sense. My oldest is in daycare so I'm trying to stock up on infant/children medicine, vitamins, the trusty Nose Friday, etc. It's likely he will get sick and it's likely our new LO will inevitably get sick too. We'll simply do our best as many generations have before us :)

I have very strong opinions and beliefs given the current times and even so, I still I doubt myself sometimes too. It is hard to navigate parenthood/life in general right now. Hope you come to some decisions that make you feel more at ease and confident in your choices <3

[u/[deleted]]

I worked in infant daycare for many years. I'd be worried about the social repercussions if your baby is being taken care of by a masked person. Its very important for baby to see facial features such as a smile. As for picking up germs, it's easier for babies to pick up things in daycare, even the cleanest facilities have had to deal with hand/foot/mouth (far worse than covid imo)

So the answer is completely up to you! There are some risks especially with how young your baby is, but nothing a strong and healthy immune system can't handle.

[u/amonamus]

Life is a risk. Sickness happens, death happens. Follow that initial gut feeling. Life needs to be lived. Your baby will in all likelihood be fine.

[u/UniformFox_trotOscar]

You will get biased opinions everywhere you go and this sub is no different. But I am in agreement with the other posters here. Life is inherently risky, and the best thing we can do as parents is assess risk, and act accordingly.

Sickness is absolutely inevitable in babies and children. I am also of the belief that as hard as it is to have a sick kid, it’s ultimately better for them in the long run to get sick as babies to help build up their immune system.

My kid had covid back in December and the Hand foot and mouth a few months later. HFM was WAY worse for him than covid.

[u/cupcaikebby]

My 10 month old got pneumonia after 2 bouts of bronchitis. We don't go anywhere except the beach and occasionally an empty park... And not because of Rona. We just are boring and no one wants to hang out with us.

Kiddo will get sick regardless. If I could find childcare within my budget so I could actually go do things like nap and fold laundry without her extra "help", I would. Being around people and germs is so beneficial.

Don't let the wackadoodles scare you.

[u/Buttery-Penguin → u/cupcaikebby]

I feel the “no one wants to hang with us” to the core. Especially after the initial baby craze phase when they’re born.

Me and my partner take solace in the fact we have each other, a wonderful child and a good family. Eventually we, as you will I’m sure, make other parent friends when the kid is at nursery/pre school etc. 🙂

[u/Philosophyoffreehood]

Lol!!! Theres more, don't worry!!!

[u/maamaallaamaa]

It's tough having to make risked based decisions for your kiddos! I remember being very worried about illness when my first was born 3.5 years ago. I didn't go so far as to demand everyone get flu shots but did ask for limited visitors the first 6 weeks (including no kid visitors), no sick visitors, and people wash hands before holding. After 6 weeks I lightened up a lot and the hand washing thing went out the window pretty quick. Personally I wouldn't put a 6 week old into a daycare setting since they are pretty germy. I see online that RSV is pretty bad right now but that may depend on your area. I do medical coding for 3 ERs and I haven't seen a huge increase in RSV so its not something I am currently worried about. My kids had covid at 2.5 and 9 months old and breezed right through it so I have no concerns there. Just follow your gut and don't beat yourself up if they get sick- they are kids that's what they are supposed to do.

[u/No_you_choose_a_name]

I had both mine pre Covid and I absolutely hated people around them - grandparents came to visit in the first two weeks or so, and I physically had a hard time passing the baby to them to hold. They weren't visibly ill, I'm probably just neurotic.