Our previous post looked at the influenza vaccine and pregnancy, but of course influenza affects more people groups than pregnant women. Infants and young children are susceptible to the flu virus as well, and can become very sick if they contract it. Particularly at risk are babies under 23 months of age, and especially premature infants or ones whose immune systems are compromised.
What can we do to prevent our babies from contracting the flu? Starting healthy is important. Good nutrition~particularly breastmilk, which offers antibodies for a host of viruses and bacteria, is essential. When a baby’s mother is not able to breastfeed, human donor milk can be a healthy alternative, either from a milk bank or, particularly in Canada which only has two milk banks, from informal milk sharing networks like Eats on Feets, Human Milk for Human Babies, or a lactating friend with a big heart and milk to spare. Any amount of breastmilk is better than no breastmilk, so infants who do receive formula during flu season benefit from part time nursing, or some amount of donor milk. Those who are fed formula only can also focus on as healthy nutrition as possible, especially if they are on solid foods. Healthy, whole foods, well rounded selections from all the food groups, and avoiding sugar and refined food can help keep babies healthy.
Adequate sleep is another frontline to avoiding illnesses like the flu. Of course, babies don’t generally sleep when their parents ask them to! But if we pay attention to our babies’ cues, we can start to see a rhythm to their daily sleep/wake cycles, and try to respond to it. By encouraging sleep when they are tired, and then facilitating predictable naptimes, we can actually often get our babies to sleep more in a 24 hour period than if they simply nap on the go. Some good sleep resources include Dr Sears’ The Baby Sleep Book, and Elizabeth Pantly’s No Cry Sleep Solution.
Good nutrition and adequate sleep applies to parents, too! When we are healthy, we will be less susceptible to the flu ourselves, and less likely to get sick and pass that on to our babies.
Frequent handwashing goes far in preventing illness; wash your own hands with soap and water frequently, and especially if exposed to someone who is already sick. Mobile infants are especially at risk, so washing crawling and walking babies’ hands frequently is important, too.
When babies do get sick with the flu, a visit to the doctor is generally warranted. Children under the age of two are particularly susceptible to the influenza virus, and half of the children who die of the flu in this population did not have previously diagnosed illnesses or immunocompromising conditions (World Health Organization). Your family doctor can assess your child’s illness to determine if further intervention is needed.
Stay home when you or your baby is sick! This will speed healing time and help prevent the spread of influenza. Happy flu season!
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It is important for the mother to take extra caution through the pregnancy. This will prevent the mother and the baby from contracting the virus. One of the best things the mother can do to boost her baby's immune system is breast feeding. Colostrum contains the highest amount of antibodies that fight infections and must given to the baby as soon as possible.
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