Don't Touch the Baby

The seasons are changing once again. Pumpkin spice everything, crisp leaves on the ground, cool wind blowing us right into cold, flu and RSV season.

I always knew fall brought the start of cold and flu season, but if I'm being honest I never really gave it much thought as a healthy adult. I might get the sniffles, maybe need to pop a tylenol cold and flu if things got really bad.

With a medically complex child with airway challenges, this season hits a little different. The worst isn't just stuffy nose. I could paint you a detailed picture of what the worst looks like, but perhaps those details are best left in my axiety rattled brain for now.

I never realized how many people would want to touch Rémi. Don't get me wrong, he's cute as a button and I totally get the desire, but after the pandemic I just wasn't expecting it. A few weeks ago, we were at an event where my boundaries were tested. Rémi was in his stroller hooked up to his feed (the easiest place for on the go Gtube feeds) and just about everyone got into his personal space to touch his face or hands. Needless to say I was NOT prepared.

My parents took him for a walk around the block until his feed was over and I could regroup. I never realized how hard it would actually be to ask people NOT to touch my baby. We live in a social society and people want to express their love through touch. It's also just really awkward to say "no". ( Spoiler alert: I'm getting better at it. )

When we returned I wrapped Rémi on my chest in his carrier because surely entering my personal space would be less socially acceptable than entering his. It is also easier for me to pull both of us away if needed. Turns out, it was needed. I got better at using my words and advocating for Rémi that day. Next time it will be easier.

Unfortunately Rémi still got sick. It could have been from the event, but most likely from the sore throat I ended up fighting myself. We spent our Thanksgiving weekend making a trek to the Huntsville Hospital when Rémi woke at midnight having difficulty breathing.

A regular cold just hits him different. He needed a breathing mask (nebulizer) and steroids to help with a narrowing airway and croup. 9 days later and we are all running on little sleep with noend in sight. As I type this in the middle of the night I've got Rémi propped in my arms near his cool mist humidifier to try and relieve his barking cough. There's been a lot of contact naps, which I love but are also exhausting.

I'm grateful for the crisp fall days as the cool air is the only thing that brings a bit of relief to his cough. I'm immensely grateful that I'm rocking my beautiful boy in the comfort of home and not the hospital. I know things could be so much worse. But also, maybe could have been avoided if people just didn't touch the baby. Maybe.

So here's your seasonal PSA...don't. touch. babies. Your germs really are too big for them.