Pregnant with a sick toddler

[persephonefalls]

I'm currently 29w4d with my second child. My daughter is nearly 20 months old, and my husband just called me at work to tell me that she has a 101.3 fever

Comments

[killrwhale]

Snuggle your baby, she needs it. If you do end up getting sick, hopefully it won't be too serious. My son has been so sick this winter, while I've been pregnant. He spent nearly the entire month of February with a fever going up and down, and just a couple weeks ago, he had the stomach flu so bad, I was super close to rushing him to the hospital. Throughout all this, I had to snuggle him while he's been sick. I just had to, how could I deny my little guy that affection when he's feeling so terrible? Luckily I have been safe from his illnesses, other than getting some pretty wicked head colds (like currently, ugh) and haven't gotten any fevers or stomach bugs. But mommy instincts are pretty strong, and while you want to protect the little one inside you, your first born matters too! I think if he had something that was truly dangerous for pregnant women to be around, I'd avoid him, but otherwise not.

[desert_sailor]

I would follow your instincts. Toddlers need sick Mommy snuggles too. Just use precautions like hand washing, don't let her stick her fingers in your mouth, etc.

[girlx512]

You've already been exposed to whatever she has (likely 4 days ago, that seems to be the typical gestation for illness), so carry on as she needs. Hope she feels better son!

[kharissa]

I totally agree with the others. Anything your baby has, you have already been exposed to. At this point, you'd be holding out on the snuggles in vain. Also, 101.3 is considered a low-grade fever. It might make you feel generally yucky, but it isn't usually serious.

[fleckerbug]

It'd be different if you knew she had some terrible condition that you shouldn't catch. Like other have said, you're probably already exposed, and she needs you. I'd also want to make sure she's getting those extra fluids that nursing can provide (I know it's not her main source, but if she's turned off by other liquids, the milk would be beneficial).

Just use good hand hygiene, avoid kissing on the mouth, etc.