How to Prepare Your Baby for the Flu Season

The most hectic season is around the corner and parents hate it: the flu season. This is the season of runny nose, mucus, fevers, and coughs. For parents (or adults), viral infections are easier to manage as we know the kind of medications and methods to take for ourselves if we get sick. For babies? Not so easy. It’s NOT easy to manage but it’s definitely easier for them to get it.

Babies – especially if they’re less than 6 months old – are at a high risk to infections because their immune systems are underdeveloped. As a result, their system doesn’t have the full capabilities to fight against bacteria and germs.

I recall my daughter’s first fever and cold at 6 months. My little one was running a cold, was coughing every second during the night, and even ran a fever. It was the worst time as a first-time Mom and my heart cried for her. To think about a viral flu infection with a baby? I’d hate to even think about it!

Luckily, I was able to beat the fever and cold with several methods and remedies.

But how can YOU prepare your baby for the upcoming season? What can you do to make sure your baby doesn’t catch an infection? Or more importantly, to prevent the deadly virus known as the flu?

Let’s talk about a few things you can start with.

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Flu Shots

As the flu season approaches, you can prepare your baby by taking your little one (over 6 months old) to the Doctor’s for a flu shot. Flu shots are widely recommended by medical professionals so that your baby is protected against the virus.

Although the flu shot is the first choice of protection, there are some side effects. Side effects include redness, soreness, muscle aches, and fever. Severe signs may include hoarseness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, paleness, and dry coughing.

It’s always good to monitor your baby shortly after taking the shot. Look for any signs of severe side effects and contact the Doctor if you notice something that is off. Or if it is worse, get in with the Urgent Care or Emergency Room for faster care.

Keep in mind, if your baby is less than 6 months old, these flu shots are not recommended and should not be given to him or her. Make sure you check with your baby’s Pediatrician for further information.

Clothing

The flu virus can be transmitted through the air in various forms. That’s why it’s important that you keep your baby protected in proper clothing.

Make sure you prepare jackets, coats, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, pants, socks, and…..okay. You get it. Basically every clothing article that can keep baby warm!

Not only do you need to prepare clothing for baby, you also need to make sure you have the right tools to keep away germs!

Hand Sanitizer + Clorox Wipes

Keeping away germs is a must. With hand sanitizers and Clorox wipes in stock, you’re making great efforts to create a clean environment for baby.

Some of the best places to put your hand sanitizer include:

• The bedroom
• The coffee table
• The kitchen counter
• In your purse (grab those scented bottles from Bath & Body Works!)
• In the car
• In the bathroom – Make sure you don’t substitute hand sanitizer for hand washing. You should still wash hands and then use hand sanitizer.

As for Clorox wipes (or Lysol wipes), make sure you always have a bottle or two in stock. These wipes are great for wiping your phone, dining table, baby toys, TV stands, and any other areas that your baby comes in contact with. I know my daughter loves touching my phone so it’s the first thing I clean when I grab a Clorox wipe!

Hand and Face Wipes

If you think that keeping a clean environment was enough, then you’re wrong. You should prepare hand and face wipes as well! With a crawling baby like mine, her hands are always against the floor and who knows how many germs those hands have.

I always keep a pack in the diaper bag, in my purse, or in any bag that I’m carrying at that time. Which means that it’s a good practice for you Mama, to do the same as well.

Hand and face wipes are not only great for cleaning baby’s hands but it’s also good for wiping those crusty boogers. If you decide that these wipes aren’t the best for you, make sure you try out Boogie wipes. This is another solution to those crusty boogers!

You can always grab a pack at Amazon, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, or at your local store.

Car Seat Cover

Since your baby’s still traveling in a car seat, it’s a good idea to have a car seat cover. As Fall and Winter approaches, that means cold wind chills are coming your way.

I got my car seat cover for FREE! Check out The Krazy Coupon Lady’s post on 28 Baby Freebies for New & Expecting Moms for YOUR free car seat cover.

Baby Fever and Cold Essentials

As I mentioned earlier, my baby got her first fever and cold at 6 months. Using several methods and remedies, I was able to beat the fever and cold. Learn what baby essentials you need and which methods you can try if your baby starts a fever and cold.

Crowded Places

The best thing you can do is to avoid taking baby to crowded places. That includes – the hospital, schools, crowded stores, the train, and any other place that holds a group of people in a small environment. The flu is easily transmitted through the air and if there are several sick people in a small place, it’s the recipe for a flu infection.

We don’t want that right, Ma?

Avoid Others Who Are Sick

When others are sick and coughing, you never know if it’s a flu virus that they’re having. To be safe, avoid exposing baby to those who are sick.

For example, if you have a family gathering coming up and know that someone in the family was recently sick, it is best to avoid taking baby to your family gathering. It is important that others understand the importance of protecting babies from infections as they are harder to manage when their body is infected. There should be no hard feelings but ONLY understanding.

The most important thing is you always know what you have to do as a parent and you should stick with it! No one is there to care for your baby other than you!

Don’t Share with Baby!

One other way babies can get an infection is through cross-contamination of sharing utensils, cups, and toothbrushes! Even you Mama, can be sick and don’t even realize it! Make sure you don’t share your spoons, forks, and cups with baby as the season approaches. Don’t let others do the same as well.

When it comes to dinner time, make sure you and your baby each have your own spoon. The same goes for cups, toothbrushes, and any other item that is prone to sharing!

Wash Your Hands – Frequently!

Washing your hands frequently can lead to dry skin but make sure you wash your hands MORE often during the Flu season. Although I’ve listed hand sanitizers as one way of keeping away germs, there is no more effective way of keeping germs away with your hands than WASHING your hands.

Stock up on hand soap and keep them by every sink in the house. To avoid developing dry skin, buy hand soap that comes with lotion or simply have a hand soap dispenser and a lotion bottle next to each other. This will ensure you are knocking down those bad germs as well as those flaky skins!

To find a great hand soap with lotion, take a look at several options such as Dove’s Beauty Cream Caring Hand Wash or Jergen’s Extra Moisturizing Liquid Hand Wash.

For the second option, use a hand soap of your choice and combine it with Curel’s Ultra Healing lotion. I have been a long-time user of Curel’s brand of lotion and love it. It always makes my hand feels smooth after a day (or week) of dryness and I have it stocked in the bathroom and bedroom all year long.

I hope these tips will help you prepare your baby for the Flu season as I will be doing the same. With my 10-month old crawling all over the place, it’s important that I create a clean environment for her as well as for me.

Do you have additional tips on keeping a clean house environment? Share with us and let us know! We’re all Moms here so don’t hide those diamond secrets!

Oh, and one more thing.

If you enjoyed this post, please share? Other Mama’s may find it helpful as well!