7 Easy Ways Newborns Get Sick (And 4 Ways To Prevent It)
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Once a baby enters your life, both you and your better half will have only one goal – the well-being of your little one. Yet, despite their best efforts, one of the biggest worries of any new parent is keeping their baby safe from illnesses. However, a little alertness and precaution will go a long way in preventing your little one from falling ill frequently. For this, it’s important to know and prevent the ways how newborns can get sick. Let’s discuss some of them here.
1. Too Much Time Outdoors
A new mother cannot stay indoors for too long, obviously. Also, some new parents assume that their baby needs fresh air. This is why most new mommies will take their baby along to the neighborhood grocery store or for ‘fresh-air’ walks in crowded places. However, such crowded places come with the risk of your baby coming in contact with germ-carrying adults as well as dust. Therefore, limit your baby’s outdoor exposure by avoiding groceries and visiting parks as much as possible.
2. Not Covering Your Mouth
We all know how important it is to cover our mouth while coughing and sneezing, right? Yet, this simple etiquette is often forgotten. Even when you do, you’ll end up transferring the germs on your hands to your baby. So, the best way to avoid spreading germs is to cover your mouth with the inner groove of your elbow every time you cough or sneeze.
3. Unclean Hands
Just like other hygiene etiquettes, even washing hands before touching your baby is generally ignored. Of course, it’s not always possible to run to the sink to wash your hands after every diaper change and cleaning chores. Keep a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer at an arm’s length wherever your baby is. This way you can de-germ your hands in a jiffy.
4. Unwell Visitors
It is normal for friends/relatives to keep visiting once your baby arrives. However, some of the visitors might be unwell and can easily spread the infection to your baby. Instruct the nursing staff at the hospital, and an elder at home, not to allow any visitor who is unwell.
5. Germ Carrying Clothes
You may take precautions while washing your clothes by adding an anti-bacterial solution to the wash. However, once you step out for something and return home, your clothes too come back with some outdoor germs. To avoid this, keep aside a separate outfit to wear only outside. Once back home, change out of this outfit before you handle your baby.
6. Being Too Polite
Sometimes, being too polite can go against you. Agreed, your baby is adorable. But if a long-distant relative wants to kiss your baby on the lips or an unwell Aunt wants to hug the little one, be firm in your refusal in allowing them to do so. There’s nothing wrong in being curt in order to protect your baby.
7. Being Unwell Yourself
Just like others, even mothers can end up spreading infection or illness to the baby if they fall sick. Avoid handling your baby in such a situation as much as possible. Let your spouse or an experienced person, like your mother, take over until you get well.
Now that you have noted these illness-causing situations, here are 4 ways you can prevent the same:
1. Regular Vaccinations
Since your little one’s immunity is still developing, vaccinations help in keeping life-threatening illnesses at bay. Therefore, don’t miss them on any account.
2. Breastfeeding
One of the best ways to boost your baby’s immunity is by breastfeeding. Even if you are unable to do so for long, try as much as you can. You can even pump the breast milk and feed the baby through a bottle if your breasts hurt.
3. Stay Healthy
As a mom, you’ll remain close to the baby much of the time. Which is why it is necessary for you to stay healthy and fit in order to care well for your baby.
4. Don’t Miss Doctor Visits
Having regular check-ups with the doctor helps. Even though you are a mother, most of the times you might not know what is wrong or right for your baby. That is why an expert advice (read: doctor) always comes in handy.
We hope you have taken a note of ways your newborn can fall ill and how you can prevent it. Just follow them closely. Be upfront when it comes to your baby’s safety and always seek the doctor’s advice when in doubt. Eventually, all will be fine!
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