I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for MedImmune. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
*Image Credit – blog.lib.umn.edu
When I was growing up, I can still remember the story that my grandmother used to tell about when my aunt was born. She would say that when my aunt was born, she was so small that you could literally hold her in the palm of your hand. You see, my aunt was born prematurely in the early 1960s when my grandmother was just five months pregnant. The odds were certainly against her being born so early and surviving.
Grandma said the priest came to her hospital room to baptize the baby because they did not know whether she would live or not. Since she hadn’t chosen a name for the baby, she asked the priest what church he was from and he said “Santa Maria.” The rest is history. My aunt was baptized with the name Maria and she defied all odds by not only surviving but thriving.
Babies born prematurely often have health complications and it is important to raise awareness about the increased risks that often come with being born prematurely. On November 17th, which is World Prematurity Day, the hope is to begin to educate all parents about the risks associated with having preterm babies. Preemies are very vulnerable to getting sick, especially during the winter months. During this time, it is very important to warn parents about the common seasonal virus RSV.
RSV typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms in healthy, full-term babies. Preterm infants, however, are born with undeveloped lungs and immature immune systems that put them at heightened risk for developing severe RSV disease, often requiring hospitalization. This is definitely very dangerous for preemies and it is very important that parents learn the signs to look for to protect their babies from this potentially deadly disease.
Learn the Symptoms of Severe RSV Disease:
Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
- Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths
- Fever [especially if it is over 100.4°F (rectal) in infants under 3 months of age]
Speak to your child’s pediatrician to determine if your baby is at high risk for RSV disease, and if so, what additional steps may be recommended. For more information about RSV and prevention, visit www.RSVprotection.com.
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you protected your baby from exposure to germs during the winter months?
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for MedImmune. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Care has sure come a long way for premies from when your Aunt was born. All the tips on this post should be practiced by every new parent whether they are a premie or not.
I hate to even think about sick babies – it breaks my heart. I thank GOD every day that my boys are healthy, but I know so many kids out there are at risk. It’s great that you are helping to raise awareness for this.
Thank you for this great post about RSV and that we all Moms and Mom to be’s will have increase knowledge when taking care of babies.
It is so important for new parents to be educated on things like this. I wish more were done when moms were expecting so they could be prepared. Thank you for sharing.
RSV is really scary. A friend’s little boy had it and he was in the hospital for quite a while. I’m glad that you are bringing more awareness to this!
I hate the idea of sick children and RSV truly scares me. I will be sharing your post across my platforms to help get the word out.
so nice tips, I will share this post with my sister 🙂
Such great information to be aware of so the symptoms are known and recognized so they can be treated.
Great information to get out there. I know that they have made great strides in addressing many of the issues that premature infants have and thankfully so. Thanks for sharing this.
Everything Robin (in a comment I just saw below) said I’m going to have to echo here. Thank you for sharing, and for the infographic too.
My niece had RSV when she was 6 weeks old. She was in the hospital and it was definitely a scary time.
I never knew this was such an issue until recently. Got to keep those litte ones safe.
My son wasn’t born prematurely but he had RSV right before we left the hospital in 2000. He spent the next 5 days in the hospital while I went home and visited every day. It was the worst 5 days of my life but he turned out ok. You really have to be careful especially with the preemies.
The picture mad me sad..Happy your aunt thrived. Awareness is so important. I do admit I am more informed after reading your post.
The picture at the beginning of your post made me feel sick and happy at the same time. Such wonderful feet, but so small… oh my.. My daughter had RSV when she was a baby, but I was so worried as a new mom at the sign of her first cough I had her at the dr. We managed to catch it in the early stages and didn’t have to do hospital time. I can only hope the same for other families!–Ashley Gill
I was so lucky. I went into preterm labor with both of m children. I was on bed rest for the last 4 to 5 months of my both of my pregnancies!
My husband was a preemie so I know all about RSV
I didn’t have any preemies, but RSV was a serious concern at all the hospitals where I delivered so none of my kids were allowed to visit me when I was delivering one of their siblings due to the risk. I am glad that health care professionals take such strict measures as precautions but it is good for others to be informed as well so that they don’t unintentionally put someone at risk. Thanks for sharing this.
All three of mine were preemies so I appreciate you taking the time to spread the message!