The Swine Flu, or H1N1, as the epidemiologists call it, should be a concern for any preemie parent, as would be exposure to RSV, Chicken Pox, Measles, you name it. Parents seek to protect their children from any virus or bacteria, and this one is different only because of the media hype, since the flu generally lands within a different time frame. The basic precautions preemie parents practice (preemie parents deal with a lot of p’s) apply to the whole of society at this time, i.e., be mindful of yourself and your baby when others cough and/or sneeze; wash your hands often, especially after touching anything prior handling your baby (and after changing any diaper); use common sense and avoid large crowds whenever possible, etc.

If baby shows any signs/symptoms of illness (won’t eat, floppy or decreased muscle tone, difficult to wake for feedings, inconsolable cry, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), take the baby’s temperature, then call baby’s health care practitioner. (If you forget to grab a temp, you’ll be asked to call back with that info.)

There’s no need to panic, just take the normal precautions: make sure you get adequate rest, keep drinking plenty of fluids (especially if you’re breast feeding!), make healthy eating choices. Then, as always, call your health care practitioner if you have any questions or if you just don’t think your baby is doing well.