Traveling with Infant and Sick Family Members

Updated on March 05, 2010
H.T. asks from Farmington, MI
11 answers

Hi Moms!

I have a dilemma......I have to drive to Chicago this weekend with my family for my brother and future sis-in-laws bridal shower. It is a 4 hour drive and I just found out my parents and brother are all sick with flu like symptoms (we are supposed to drive in the same car). My daughter has to come with us and she is only 7 weeks old, and doesn't get her vaccines until next week. I am supposed to share a hotel with them all as well, and I am a little paranoid about the baby picking up their colds. I am already considering driving separate......and I have been breastfeeding exclusively which I know helps. Am I paranoid for no reason? Just looking for some advice to put my mind at ease!

Thanks!

H.

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H.H.

answers from Detroit on

you are NOT paranoid at all....any type of exposure or illiness to a newborn can turn serious very, very fast. I would not take any chances. I know you have to go so I would drive seperately and get a seperate room if at all possible. Also discuss this with your dr...they might be able to provide you some guidance on this.

I have a 5 month old...when he was 5 1/2 weeks old, my older son came down with H1N1 even after having recieved the first dose of the vaccination. Our pediatrician told me to put my newborn in a seperate room and not to take him out until my older son was 110% over the flu. By the grace of god, my newborn did not get it...I too was breastfeeding which helped but I think the isolation did it too. He was isolated for 3 weeks...to some this may sound extreme and crazy but he stayed healthy.

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R.J.

answers from El Paso on

Definitely different car and different room. It's too much of a risk with that many people sick. You do not want a sick baby on your hands.

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

take separate cars. 4 hours of sneezing, sniffling, all that shared contaminated air.

or they shouldn't go at all.

get the bride and groom sick too? or YOU sick too? Breastfeeding M. doesn't need to be around that, much less your two kids.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

I have to completely agree with Susan! They have no business even going! This is how 500 passengers on cruise ships get sick. All because one jacka$* doesn't want to miss out and they make everyone sick! My mother in law and father in law missed our wedding because they became violently ill the night before the wedding and even though they were "better" the next day they knew they weren't 100% and did not want to make anyone else sick. You do not want to be anywhere around them and you certainly do not want that tiny baby around them. If it were me and they insisted they were still going, I'd stay home. It's just a shower. Better to stay than everyone sick especially given the baby's age.

J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi H. if at all possible please go in separate cars. When my daughter was weeks old my aunt came over to see my daughter and didn't tell me see was sick. My daughter got a fever of 101 and was put in the hospital for 3 days. I know you care for your family and don't want to hurt there feelings but it's not worth it to.,to risk the health of your little one. I say this from experience.

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

Knowing all that, I would take the Amtrak instead! A car is way too confining and compact surroundings to be able to avoid getting their germs. Why the heck are they going if they're sick?
I'd have a separate hotel room too.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

SICK PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE GOING TO PARTIES!!!! Sorry, not "yelling" at you. Just adding emphasis to the whole idiotic idea that sick people would even think about taking the flu and crud to a bridal shower! Hellooooo? Are they not concerned about getting a future bride (plus everyone else) sick?

We had a family member that had the stomach flu once over Christmas and didn't want to miss out on the Holiday. So they came to my parents' house about 3 hours after their last puke. (sorry----) They said they felt much better. Next day, we left for the 7 hour drive back home and my 3 yr. old threw up 3 hours into the trip home. You can imagine how unpleasant that was. A day after that, the 6 month old got violently ill with the stomach bug and was almost hospitalized due to high fever and dehydration. It took 3 doctor's visits and an ER visit to get my kids over that virus!

I have no patience for sick people who will compromise the health of others so they don't miss out on fun! You can tell, huh?
So, H., you are NOT being paranoid. Make your own travel plans---no traveling with, no hotels, no meals with sick people....sick people should stay home and get well.

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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I agree with other posters. Go separate, encourage them to stay home if they are sick. People will understand, no one wants them there if they really have the flu. The flu is no fun.

LIttle babies who get the flu can die! Also, RSV is really bad in our area this season. I wouldn't risk it.

Jessica

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J.P.

answers from Boise on

Absolutely travel separately. My son is 22 months and I still wouldn't put him in a car with sick people for 4 hours (unless it was my husband and I as we all share a house anyway). A sick 7 week old is not something you want, especially away from home, and when you can prevent it. I'm sure that they will understand your reasoning. Your daughter is your first priority.

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

i'd go in my own vehicle and get my own room, at 7 weeks old, a "cold" or "flu" can turn VERY serious VERY fast. also, i'd not let the sickes hold her. have a great trip!

btw, if you are concerned about hurting their feelings, make it about them... you're gonna have to stop a lot to nurse the baby, and you'll feel more relaxed if you know there's not people watching/waiting. additionally, you don't want to disturb their sleep with the baby up all night, she was doing really well, but right now she's been up more at night lately...

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

You're not paranoid. They could be contagious and being confined to a car for 4 hours, you both could end up sick. It's no fun having a sick infant, you can't give them any medicine. All you can do is use saline drops, humidifiers, and the sucker to clean their nose. It's no fun. If you can afford it I would let them know you will follow them and have gotten a separate hotel room so that she doesn't get sick. I would think that they would understand being sick around a newborn.

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