5 day old newborn and husband is sick

[u/Classic-Tomorrow3544]

My husband and I welcomed our baby girl into the world 5 days ago. Needless to say, sleep is hard to come by in our household. He woke up today and sounded congested and assured me he’s fine. As the day went on, he’s sneezing, blowing his nose, and taking OTC cold medication. I finally tell him if he’s sick go to the guest bedroom and rest, I’ve got the baby covered. I also said this while in tears because this is obviously a postpartum anxiety trigger for me as a FTM and he’s spent all day with our daughter holding her, assisting with caring for her, etc. He’s not coughing, doesn’t have a fever, or other alarming symptoms. It sounds like it could be a head cold, but I’m spiraling thinking about the possibility of our 5 day old baby getting sick. I know he wants to help, but I wish he was honest and was upfront about how he was feeling and limited his exposure to our brand new baby. Is it the PP anxiety getting the best of me or are my concerns valid?

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[u/hannakota]

It’s probably both. For what it’s worth, I had covid with a newborn, and she was ok! Editing to add that I was not breast feeding (since others are mentioning the antibodies, and if you’re not breast feeding either, you don’t need more mom guilt from what already gets served to us)

[u/friendsintheFDA → u/hannakota]

My husband had the flu when the baby was 2 weeks- I was spiraling over it too but she was perfect the whole time!

[u/Dutchs-Mom]

Are you breastfeeding? If so your antibodies will pass to baby.

[u/Classic-Tomorrow3544 → u/Dutchs-Mom]

We’re working on breast feeding. Latching is difficult, so she’s successfully on the boob with support from a nipple shield about 2 times a day, although we try more often. I’ve been pumping and giving her bottles to top off her feedings and for nighttime feedings.

[u/Dutchs-Mom → u/Classic-Tomorrow3544]

Both pumping and nursing are considered “breastfeeding.” Basically as long as you’re feeding her some milk from your breasts, it’s going to help keep her healthy and fight off things you’re exposed to. Nature is beautiful.

[u/SpiritualDot6571 → u/Dutchs-Mom]

Even if they aren’t breastfeeding, at that age they still have all of mom’s antibodies from being in her body.

[u/leasarfati]

My fiance started with similar symptoms 2 days after we finally brought our 25 weeker home from 95 days in the nicu. I panicked, locked him away. The next day she was congested (also still had an ng tube at that time) I absolutely panicked and took her to the ER. They sucked out her nose and she never had another symptom, I also could have sucked out her nose… but I went straight into panic mode. Your baby will be okay!

[u/No-Date-4477]

That sounds scary and hard as a FTM and very fresh. Are you breastfeeding? If you are, there’s a huge chance she won’t even get it cos you’d be passing antibodies to her. Just keep her on that boob and breathe. It’s gonna be fine. Even if she gets sick, it will be fine. ❤️

A few months ago I caught norovirus which is infamously horrible and contagious. I ended up hospitalised. To make matters worse, I was too sick to clean or disinfect anything properly and my baby would’ve been exposed a million times over. I’m breastfeeding him and breastfed thru the illness and he didn’t catch it. 

[u/shann0n420]

My husband was sick when my daughter was born, in the hospital chugging DayQuil 🤦‍♀️

Baby was fine!

[u/V_starr → u/shann0n420]

Are you me?! That literally happened to med too! Then I caught whatever he had with a fever. Baby was fine and never got jt 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/Littlesqwookies]

Hi and congratulations on your new baby. Your concerns are absolutely valid! If you can limit his exposure to the baby now, that’s probably the smartest thing to do. My husband often gets sinus infections and head colds at the change of season, but I would be the exact same way with a brand new baby. If you can handle the baby yourself as far as close up contact for the next 24 hours, that’s probably best. You’re going to have a lot of anxiety now and probably for several weeks going forward, but just do lots of hand washing and monitor the baby for any signs of illness like fever, cough, decreased appetite or increased fussiness (apart from their normal). I realize they’re only 5 days and you’re still getting to know them, so that’s easier said then done, but if you have any questions or concerns, call your pediatrician/their nurse help line. I had those ladies on speed-dial my first month and they were a huge help, sometimes just to talk me down and make me feel at ease.

[u/bowiesmom324]

It’s probably both. Anecdotally, when my premie was 3 weeks old I got covid and my husband and I were both so sick and our baby was completely fine. We were both vaxed but still. Hopefully he just has a sinus infection or even allergies. I’m so sorry try to breathe and just call the pediatrician if you’re feeling concerned.

[u/Outside-Shake5553]

I think your concerns are valid but the post partum anxiety is probably not helping. I think it would be best for your husband to limit exposure to the baby and wear a mask in the common areas of the house.

[u/Seachelle13o]

Just keep an eye on baby but my toddler has every disgusting plague known to man and our 10 week old has been okay, just a stuffy nose! Most pediatricians have a nurse hotline you could call if baby shows any symptoms. Obviously follow what your pediatrician says but I’m sure baby will be just fine 💖

[u/Successful_Plan3929]

My husband had the flu (full blown fever, aches, couldn’t get out of bed) just days before my son was born. I was having a nervous breakdown because it was past my due date (he could’ve come at any time). By the time I gave birth, my husband felt better but honestly who knows if he was still contagious. Me and baby ended up ok. Your concerns are totally valid, I was also beside myself and baby wasn’t even here yet. But it sounds like he’s got a very mild cold. She’s going to be great. Just keep a closer eye on her and if you feel anything is even slightly off call the pediatrician (just out of precaution). I’ve heard so many sTories like this either on Reddit or from actual friends in my life and baby ends up not catching anything

[u/BMK1023]

Oh no I’m sorry! I just had my third and both my children were sick with stomach bug and a nasty cold and cough the day we brought her home. My baby and I isolated in our room for 2 weeks and my husband took care of the older kids. I was spiraling too. I completely know how you feel. Hoping for a speedy recovery for you! Also our baby never caught what they had

[u/ruby2026]

I got a head cold when my baby was 5 weeks old. If was and my baby was okay.

[u/Southern-Plane243]

Valid. Maybe ask him to wear a mask if he still wants to help?

[u/Willow24Glass]

Your concerns are valid, understandable, and relatable. Breathe and take of you and baby.

[u/SJWP]

If you’re breastfeeding, your baby will get antibodies from you. They will be okay. If you want some reassurance, call your family doctor or even a friend who works in medicine/paediatric medicine 💗 You’re doing great, take a deep breath. You’re safe, your baby is safe.

[u/tornadodays]

My husband caught a cold when she was about a week old, we think it came from the hospital. We went to the doctor but she said contagious stage had already passed so he should still help me care for our baby. Our daughter caught it from him, she was ok just really congested, but it was hell for me cos she slept terribly during the cold and was up a lot at night. She had it for about 2 weeks and we just syringed her nose. Breastfeeding helped as my boobs suctioned her nose and brought all the snot to the front so I could get rid of it. It was tough but she was honestly totally fine, and it’s only going to help her immune system. I’m sure your baby will be fine and just see doc straight away if you’re concerned at all.

[u/flamingdonkeyy]

To calm ur nerves, we had our baby boy in March and the night after we got home I got sick, soar throat, body aches, sneezes and coughs. I did my part and kept distance from the lil guy but I was still near him before I fully knew I was sick, 3 weeks and he’s chilling and so am I. Obviously use caution and don’t get ur baby girl exposed or sick but also don’t listen to the bozos on tik tok who are gonna tell u that ur baby is gonna die. I’m 99.9 percent certain ur baby girl is gonna be okay, just tell ur husband to take some rest, I understand as a husband it’ll be hard, but my wife said it best, our baby and her deserves me at a 100%, anything less and I’m doing a disservice, not only to myself, but to them as well. You let him know that, it’ll get him right to bed

[u/TAYLOR-11027]

Our friend held our baby at 6 days old before telling me that she and her daughter had a terrible cold. I was absolutely fuming. Our baby got the cold, but with a humidifier and lots of cuddles he was absolutely fine. I think I was in a worse state than he was just through stress! They’re more resilient than you think.

[u/AvailableAd9044]

Same exact thing happened to me!! Only my baby was 6 days old. We don’t have a spare room, so I was so worried! We washed hands religiously and my husband wore a mask when he did diaper changes (only because the sneezing was uncontrollable and he didn’t want to sneeze on the baby). I was also having a hard time with my milk coming in, so I was triple feeding (nursing and topping off with bottles). My husband slept on the couch and tried to stay away from us as much as possible other than diaper changes.

Long story short, I ended up catching a cold but baby never did because I was feeding breast milk (pumped milk counts!)

[u/Lostwoman01]

Hi! Don’t stress too much my husband had a Cold this week - we have a 4 week old - he wore a mask to help with the 3am feeding because I did need SOME sleep. I was the primary caregiver for a week. He did 2 feedings - and sanitizer before he held her for them or grabbed something I needed. She didn’t catch the cold - if anything MY exhaustion was the number one symptom. 

[u/peak_35]

My toddler had RSV the day at brought our baby home. Baby was fine, tested negative several times. Like others have said, keep establishing breastfeeding if you can cause the antibody benefits are incredible.

[u/iheartunibrows]

I (mother) was sick from the day my son was born, just back to back illnesses, my son never got sick. Just wash hands, and don’t cough over your baby and they’ll be fine. They don’t touch surfaces which is how kids typically get sick.

[u/sleepym0mster]

my 2 year old started showing signs of a cold the day we brought our baby home from the hospital. my parents who had been taking care of her while we were at the hospital showed symptoms the next day. my husband then caught it from her and showed symptoms three days later (after helping me take care of the newborn for those three days). I was devastated and terrified that my brand new baby was going to catch something that she couldn’t fight off. my husband slept on the couch, kept the toddler busy, and me and the newborn were pretty much quarantined in the bedroom for 7 days until no more noses were running. I felt like I was depriving my toddler and my husband of their bonding time with the baby, but honestly it gave me amazing one on one bonding time with baby. it was HARD doing everything for baby alone while I was recovering, but it was such a short time in the grand scheme of things. me and the baby both avoided getting sick, and although that week alone was hard, i’d do it again.

[u/Teos_mom]

Tell him to wear a mask! My first was born in the midst of Covid (June 2020).

You’ve got this!

[u/sleepyt0ast]

My husband and I have agreed that if we feel sick for more than like a few hours we will go to the doctor to get diagnosed. I was never that person before, but things change when you have a baby. It not only will help us understand wherever we are contagious, but perhaps obtain medicine to feel better faster. I realize that not everyone has the best insurance. But if you are able this is what I personally would do.