Winter baby - caregiver vaccines?

[glitzy07]

Long question made short:  If you had a winter baby, did you do anything specific for you and your family (H, kids, grandparents?) regarding flu shots or boosters for whooping cough?

We did nothing special with C, who was a summer baby.  I had a flu shot on the recommendation of my doctor, but she never really said anything or pushed for anyone else in the family to have one.  This time since we're having a December/January baby, my doctor mentioned at my last appointment that she would like for all of the people who will be spending a significant amount of time around the baby to have the flu shot since he/she won't be able to be vaccinated until after the "sick" season this year.  I already got mine at that appointment and C will get his.  H has never had a flu shot before but agreed to get one because I pushed (he's otherwise vaccinated normally, but has never had a flu shot in his life).  I'll have to have H talk to SS' mother about getting him the shot (I have no clue how that will go over...).  

Just wondering what other people did?  I'm personally not planning to push my mom or anyone else about it, unless I really should? 

[Deleted]

I updated my whooping cough but I also had to for work.

I didn't force/mention it to anyone else.

[Deleted]

I pushed everyone to do it. It's great for you to get flu and whopping cough shots while PG because it gives the baby extra immunity.

This is a big deal for me and was last time with DS1. It was uncomfortable to talk about sure but necessary.I think you have a really good "excuse" since your doctor is pushing.

I also refuse to be around my extended family anti vaxxers until DS2 is much older. This means missing Christmas on my side of the family but IDGAF.

[pooh8402]

All the pedis in my area recommend the whooping cough vaccine (TDaP) for all caregivers. I have mine anyway for work, but DH, our parents, and our nanny all got theirs. I recommend this for all babies, year round.

And even though I had a summer baby, I'm requesting caregivers get their flu vaccines as well because he won't be old enough for his until January. DH and I are getting ours today, actually. And our nanny already has hers.

[dcn]

Ds was born in October and yes DH and I got a whooping cough booster and a flu shot. We also asked grandparents to get boosters and a flu shot.

I already got a tdap this pregnancy per my OBs Rec, and DH will get one before baby arrives in December. We will all get flu shots as well.

[mannah]

I requested that both my family and H his family have an updated tdap and current flu shot. IMO it is such a small thing to ask people to do that could save you and the baby from a major illness. It sort of seems like a no-brainer to me.

[cincodemayo]

DS was a fall baby and DH got a whooping cough booster. We didn't ask any grandparents to do so. Maybe I'll think about it since baby 2 is a late winter baby as well.

[nessness]

I asked everyone who was living in our house plus my mom (who stayed with us for a week when she was born) to get flu shots and TDAP if they weren't already up to date.

[genet313]

We made almost everyone in immediate family get whooping cough.   Both sets of grandparents (but mom/MIL are caretakers) and I think my brothers maybe did too.  My parents usually get the flu shot so I know they got that as well, not sure about in-laws.  DH and I also did, but I normally don't.    I am debating getting the flu shot this year, but will probably cave.

[starburst]

Sept 30, 2015 9:12:10 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

All the pedis in my area recommend the whooping cough vaccine (TDaP) for all caregivers. I have mine anyway for work, but DH, our parents, and our nanny all got theirs. I recommend this for all babies, year round.

And even though I had a summer baby, I'm requesting caregivers get their flu vaccines as well because he won't be old enough for his until January. DH and I ate getting ours today, actually. And our nanny already has hers.

Same here.  When I was pregnant, my OB recommended the TDaP for everyone that would be around the baby a lot. And the pedi recommends the flu shot for everyone since DS won't be 6 months until the end of December. 

[thatgirl2478]

I didn't ask people to get their flu or whooping cough vaccines. My Mom is the one who sees the girls the most and she has a bad reaction to the flu shots, so I didn't want to risk HER health either. I had October & February babies. I *think* DH got his flu shot before the baby was born, but I honestly can't recall.

[wanderingenough]

I'm due in a few weeks. Both my mom and MIL want to come visit in Nov/Dec, so we have told them they will both need the flu vaccine and tdap.

[Deleted]

I asked anyone visiting to get a flu shot and TDaP booster.

[osulori]

AJ was a summer baby, but I asked my husband and parents to get their flu shots that year (mine is required for work). My parents usually get them so it was NBD, but J took a little more hounding just because he'd never had one before and he is a big huge wimp. Our sitter got one too.

[zarapipe]

DD was a fall baby

Dh and I got flu and whooping cough. Dh will not this year because DD2 will have gotten her shots.

We asked our parents. Mine did. His did not. I was annoyed but whatever.

[boxerdog]

I asked that people get their TDaP but I wasn't strict about it since DS was due in the summer. No one in my family gave me any push-back, but I found out later that my dad and BIL were scared to hold DS since they didn't get it in time (he came early).

For a winter baby, I would definitely require both flu and TDaP. For sure.

[water*drop]

Both of my kids were spring babies, but we asked all of the grandparents to get TDaP boosters and flu shots. DH and I did the same. Our siblings were already up to date. None of the grandparents questioned it.

[felicity]

Everyone had to get TDaP and flu shots.

Honestly I was very protective. We didn't allow visitors outside of immediate family at first.

[thebreakfastclub]

H and I got our normal flu shots. I didn't know about tdap, so I didn't do that.

I didn't ask anyone to get any shots. It just didn't cross my mind.

[Susie]

I'm due in late November, so I'll have a winter newborn. I'm not sure it'd change my answer if she was due at a different time of year though. Winter, meh. It's like half the year here.

I've had flu & TDAP shots this month, Calvin got his TDAP updated at my OB's rec earlier in my pregnancy, and he'll get his flu shot soon.

My parents already get flu shots, and asked me what shots they should have for Hobbes. My OB told me that they should just have "current" TDAPs (i.e., within the last 10 years). They are going to confirm with their PCP and get new ones if needed. I haven't raised the issue with my ILs.

[jeaniebueller]

My MIL, mom and step FIL all got a pertussis booster and they all regularly get seasonal flu anyway.

[laurenh]

My parents, sister/BIL, and H's parents all got their flu shot and a tdap when DD1 was born, and have continued with their flu shots. We had no push back whatsoever when we asked.

[bcarp30]

Dd was born in January and I asked everyone who would be around her to get both. Most people realized they needed the tetanus booster anyway.

[glitzy07]

Sept 30, 2015 9:27:25 GMT -5 osulori said:

AJ was a summer baby, but I asked my husband and parents to get their flu shots that year (mine is required for work). My parents usually get them so it was NBD, but J took a little more hounding just because he'd never had one before and he is a big huge wimp. Our sitter got one too.

My H agreed quickly because he knew I wouldn't back down, but told me, "If I get sick because of this flu shot, I'm blaming you."  

[boiler717]

I'm not entertaining visitors from people who aren't vaccinated for both. Happy to see them in the spring if they don't want to get vaccinated.

[boiler717]

My BMB (January due dates) is full of pregnant women and their partners refusing the flu shot or pertussis. It's ridiculous. "They can't make you!! INGREDIENTS!1!1!1"

[mrssandro]

My inlaws get the flu shot regardless. I will remind them to get the whooping cough.

[glitzy07]

Haha, I just called to schedule appointments for C and H's shots and since H hasn't been to the doctor in a while they're making him get a physical too before they'll "prescribe" the shots. I'm sure he's going to love that.

So I'll be going for my 1hr gestational diabetes test and both H and C will be joining me that day for shots and fun!

[osulori]

Sept 30, 2015 9:57:51 GMT -5 glitzy07 said:

Sept 30, 2015 9:27:25 GMT -5 osulori said:

AJ was a summer baby, but I asked my husband and parents to get their flu shots that year (mine is required for work). My parents usually get them so it was NBD, but J took a little more hounding just because he'd never had one before and he is a big huge wimp. Our sitter got one too.

My H agreed quickly because he knew I wouldn't back down, but told me, "If I get sick because of this flu shot, I'm blaming you."  

I'm pretty sure mine said the same thing.  Last year too.  Which reminds me, time to start the annual hounding for him to get his flu shot.

[felicity]

Oh and this totally reminds me that my parents are very anti flu shots.

What if it gives me the flu!?!
Ingredients!!!
It doesn't even protect against all the flu strains!!!
We've never had the flu so why do we need it?!?

Ugh. I threatened if they didn't get the shot, they couldn't see the baby. I think I also may have guilted them by telling them that wouldn't they feel bad if they got the flu and passed it on to the helpless newborn baby? Would you want that on your conscience? No? THEN GET THE DAMN SHOT!