Our neonatologist and pediatrician have been preparing us for some of the precautions we’ll need to take when Kinley comes home to make sure she stays healthy. She’s at greater risk for all sorts of illnesses and conditions.
We know many friends and family are eager to meet her, so we felt it best to set expectations as we get close to going home.
Her neurological system is still developing and we’ll have to avoid too much stimulation. This means we’ll have to overall limit her visitors, particularly for the first four weeks.
Her immune system is not as strong as your typical, full-term baby. Your run of the mill cold could send her back to the hospital with complications such as pneumonia or worse. We’ll have to be especially cautious during RSV season, which runs August through April in Florida.
Friends and family that visit, and anyone in their household, will need to be cough, sneeze, and fever free for at least five days. Company will have to wash their hands once they enter our house. Anyone we invite to hold Kinley will first be asked to remove their jewelry and scrub up to their elbows. They’ll also have to resist her cute cheeks because kisses and touching of her face won’t be allowed. It’ll also be a few months before she can be around other children.
We as parents will have to get extra immunizations and she’ll be getting a preventative shot for RSV every month. We’d ask our visitors to take similar precautions and at least get the flu shot during flu season (not the inhaled version).
Her respiratory system is also immature and she underwent some extreme procedures to keep her breathing. Strong perfumes, colognes, and other scents could irritate her lungs. She’ll be very sensitive to cigarette smoke. It would be best that anyone that does smoke showers and put on a fresh set of clothes and not smoke before visiting Kinley.
Please know that while we might seem like germaphobes building enormous walls, we are happy to see our loved ones and excited to unleash our little warrior upon the world.