Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with AstraZeneca and DiMe Media. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Every parent wants to keep their newborn happy and healthy when they return home from the hospital, but parents of premature babies may face a greater challenge protecting their children. As preterm birth can come with complications, many preemies require special medical attention, particularly during the winter months when there is an increase in contagious seasonal illnesses.
Each year worldwide, 13 million babies are born prematurely. Despite these startling numbers, many parents still aren’t aware of the risks of premature birth — the leading cause of neonatal death. In fact, 75 percent of parents don’t know the definition of prematurity (birth at or before 37 weeks gestation), and during prenatal care, most pregnant women don’t ask their healthcare provider about the risk of delivering prematurely and the potential consequences of preterm birth for their child.
Having a newborn can be scary in itself and worrying about having a sick newborn is even scarier. The good news is RSV can be prevented.
Here are some tips to help you prevent the spread of RSV disease:
1. Parents should wash their hands often and ask others to do the same. (This goes for siblings too – especially school-aged children!)
2.Keep baby’s clothes, toys, sheets, blankets, and clothes clean.
3. Avoid large crowds and other young children during RSV season.
4. Don’t ever let anyone smoke near your baby.
5. Keep baby away from people who are sick or have recently been sick.
Still want to learn more about RSV? There’s an easy way to do just that! Visit www.RSVprotection.com for lots more information and make sure that you are aware of everything. There, you’ll find out how to talk to your child’s pediatrician about their risk factors for contracting RSV, data about RSV and how it is affecting your area, and real stories about families that have experienced RSV.
I had early winter and late fall babies, so I was especially concerned about RSV. Handwashing often is a must as is staying away from others who are ill.
This is great information. This is the first time I heard about RSV.
These are great tips. Hand washing is very important to prevent the disease.
My son had RSV as a newborn and it was the worst thing I could ever imagine. I thought I was going home with a newborn healthy baby and we ended up staying an extra week in the hospital. RSV is no joke.
That must have been horrible. It’s so hard to see your children sick and suffering and not be able to bring them comfort.
I remember being so so nervous when my little ones were born. It’s def. important to know ways to protect them.
Great info. I don’t know much about RSV. So this is great for me to know. I will be sharing. Hopefully this helps so many.
RSV is a terrible disease. My older son contracted it at six months and he was still very sick from it.
These are great tips!! It is so scary when little ones get sick but even worse when they are premies.
I never heard of this. My daughter was born in late September and I didn’t really let people come near her. When people did I always made sure they wash their hands.
Every time I read about this, it sends chills down my spine. It is a terribly scary thing!
I am on our local March of Dimes board, so this is an issue close to my heart! Thanks for raising awareness.
Oh RSV is scary for mommas. However, many parents don’t know the risk until their babies have it.
So many great tips here especially for new mommas.
Thanks for helping to raise awareness. This is a scary thing.
Babies can catch illnesses so easily! It’s so important to wash your hands and keep babies awY from people who are sick or have just been sick. We were always very careful when our kiddos were babies.
I took care of a preemie once and his parents were very careful! Home, daycare and work are the only places they went and lots of hand washing.
My daughter had RSV when she was just a few months old. It was so scary. I am glad when I see awareness about it being spread. Than you for participating in the campaign!
I hate watching that commercial. It is so scary!
These are some great tips!! Thankfully we didn’t have to deal with any of this with my daughter
I’m glad to see you are helping spread the word about RSV. It’s so dangerous for babies, and I am surprised that its’s still so little known.
I know how it feels to have a sick baby. You can’t help but worry. These tips are useful. Thanks.
My youngest was about 4 weeks premature but didn’t have any issues when we left the hospital. When she was a few months old she had RSV.
This is so important to know about. RSV was never talked about when i was having my kids. I will have to share this with the expecting Moms i know.
I had never really heard of this when my kids were young, and that wasn’t even that long ago! Thanks for sharing all the info on it I wish more people knew about it
Sending this post to my bestie!
I think you missed Boosting the Immune System! That is super important. Proper nutrition (breast milk if possible), sleep, and probiotics/vitamin D should be discussed with your health care provider but are shown to be effective.
RSV sounds like a serious condition and glad you are raising awareness of it.
The world of newborns is a complicated place!
This is great information. I need to pass to my sister who recently had a baby
Great post and information – I have had four children and never heard of this! Thank you for sharing. Kaz
THX that’s a great anrswe!