I think that we can’t help if we are unfortunate to fall ill to H1N1, but we can do everything possible to minimize the risks. I certainly would have no problem letting people know that I wasn’t comfortable with company. I think, if it is, so incredibly important that they come over, than I would mandate visitation only to those who have been vaccinated or had a confirmed case of H1N1 and had at least 3 weeks to have developed immunity to it. I would also limit the numbers to those you feel it is important for your newborn to eventually build a life long relationship with. Upon entering your home I would ask them to wear a mask and wash and sanitize their hands. I would not allow them to hold the baby, just look at it. This seems extreme I know, but I think better to have the child around to have and hold later then to lose that incredible apportunity. When children go through the oral fixation phase and start crawling around on the floor, that is indicative that thier bodies are ready to start building immunity to all kinds of viruses and infections. Until that day comes, keep your child safe, you have an obligation to do that as a parent and being afraid of an uncomfortable situation that might hurt the feelings of others is really thier problem not yours.

On another note, I have a friend who just had a baby. She actually went to the hospital two weeks before she was due because she thought she might have H1N1. Turned out she didn’t have it, but she ended up needing an emergency C-section for another reason and had a healthy baby boy. During that time it was our (Canadian) Thanksgiving and of course the whole family was excited to see that new baby. She and the baby were quarantined until the test results came back negative and the family just had to accept that and they did. There was a baby shower planned for the 14th of November and I just talked to her today and she informed me that the shower has been cancelled because it just isn’t worth the risk. I stand behind her decision 100%.

Good luck to you in dealing with the situation. On Thanksgiving you and your husband and newborn should be thankful all by yourselves, have a great dinner.

I also second breastfeeding if possible: it might be a little hard to get started, but its wonderful to have milk warm and ready without even getting out of bed or scrubbing bottles afterwards. Your contribution can be to get out of bed and bring the baby to mother.

The La Leche League has experienced mothers who will share advice and experiences with new mothers and help them to breastfeed successfully.

One of the best things for new mothers is to have someone else take over for a few hours so they can sleep or take care of themselves; also to be taken out for a drive or walk and to see some adult faces.

Best of luck to you all!

So, what do we do now????

And one of the consequences of putting other people at risk is that they aren’t as nice to you as you might like them to be.