This post was sponsored by AstraZeneca as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I had my son Baby M 7 weeks early and he was born in September, the very beginning of cold season. I was petrified. The doctors sent us home with all sorts of information on RSV Disease. See, almost every child will catch RSV by the time they are two years old, but when babies and especially preemies catch it, it can be extremely dangerous. So when you’re gearing up to keep your baby warm and safe this season, you need to give some thought into preventing RSV. Baby’s lungs aren’t fully developed yet, and RSV can wreak havoc on a new baby’s lungs. Thankfully, through the experience with my son, I’ve learned these 4 crazy health hacks to prevent RSV in babies!
4 Crazy Health Hacks to Prevent RSV in Babies
- Wash your hands! I know, it’s the oldest tip in the book but it is huge! We pass so many germs by touching. Plus, our lungs and immune systems are so much stronger that we don’t know we’re carrying an illness that could really hurt our baby!
- Don’t smoke around your baby. If you smoke, don’t do it around your baby and make sure you wash your hands (and even in some cases change your clothes) before holding your baby. If you have friends and family that smoke, have the same rules for them. Second-hand smoke can weaken your baby’s lungs and irritate their airways.
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- Wash your baby’s stuff like a mad woman! Seriously, when you think that you’ve finished cleaning everything, start cleaning it all again. Germs can stay on your baby’s toys and bedding for a long time, and we want to make sure we clean them all regularly!
- Keep your baby away from crowds and little kids. I know this can be really difficult, especially when you have a baby around the holidays, but it is so worth it. Crowds and little kids are like breeding grounds for illness, and you want to keep your baby safe! If you have to go out into crowds, try to keep your little one in a baby carrier and avoid playing “pass the baby”.
I know that some of these crazy health hacks to prevent RSV in babies can feel like they’re old news. Who doesn’t know to wash your hands and avoid crowds? But realistically, we all need the reminder. Two years after having Baby M, I had Miss S in December and I still needed to be reminded to avoid taking her to all of the holiday functions! The point is that RSV can be really scary in babies, so these health hacks are really important to keep in mind when you have a baby during cold season!
October is National RSV Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to educate parents about RSV signs, symptoms, and how to prevent it. While it’s an extremely common virus that affects children seasonally from November to March every year, it is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies in their first year of life. Because RSV can become so severe, it’s important to take these 4 crazy health hacks for preventing RSV in babies to heart. You can learn more about RSV and how to keep your baby safe this RSV season here, or you can check out this handy infographic!
