Pure Parents

Question:

> Could someone please tell me what RSV is?  Respiratory S? Virus is my > closest guess. > ~Jan

I would tell you if I could spell it. LOL

Response:

Respiratory Syntactic Virus, I think. –Janet

Could someone please tell me what RSV is?  Respiratory S? Virus is my closest guess. ~Jan

Response:

For some wit (and maybe even some advice), go ask your question at: alt.parenting.twins-triplets They’re the experts on the unwanted enthusiasm of strangers. –Janet – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do not want to >sound like a "bitch" and tell these people bluntly "Don’t touch my >daughter" >but yet I can’t stand by and watch my child be put in a dangerous position. >Any advice? >WB

Response:

> It’s a pity that we’re such a closed society (speaking as someone in the > USof A). Perhaps if we were all a little more friendly and shared things > like our children there wouldn’t be such intolerance and hate in regards to > other aspect of life. Just a thought. Tolerance has to begin somewhere!

Maybe this is it.  In Ireland we don;t seem to have reached this level of insularity.  People mix, whether they are strangers or not. We say hello to people as we pass them in the street and don;t seem to have the same huge fears about ‘other’ people. Ziggy

Response:

RSV info: During a given RSV season, the Centers for Disease Control estimate roughly 91,000 babies will be hospitalized with RSV and 4,500 will die from it. RSV can cause health problems (like asthma) which can last a lifetime. No infant or child is exempt from the risk of RSV. Most children will have RSV before 2, at least once. For many it is not any more serious than a cold. But for young babies and preemies, it can be VERY serious. Suzanne (mom to John Henry, 24 weeker, now 3.5 and luckily very healthy)

Response:

Could someone please tell me what RSV is?  Respiratory S? Virus is my closest guess. ~Jan

Response:

I agree that people touching can be irritating. My son had perfect skin and adorable chubby little cheeks from the day he was born and all the little old ladies were after him like vultures on a fresh road kill. The germ thing drove me nuts at first. But you have to realize that germs are everywhere. If the person in front of you at the grocery store has a cold, wipes there nose, touches the counter and then you touch the counter they just touched and then you touch your baby… guess what? You probably both just got that person’s cold even though they didn’t touch your pwecious baby! Older women are usually the ones that come up to my son and want to touch him. After thinking about it for a while I realized something. Those women probably really miss the days when there children were tiny babies. My son is 18 months and I already get misty eyed when I see a couple with a newborn. I hate to think how I’ll be when I’m 70! The least I can do is show a little respect to my elders and let them coo over my baby for a little while. Odds are, they aren’t carrying anything. If I’m at all concerned, it’s very easy to wipe my sons hands with a diaper wipe as soon as we are discretely out of view. It’s also very easy to explain my germ paranoia and ask people not to grab his hands. It’s a pity that we’re such a closed society (speaking as someone in the USof A). Perhaps if we were all a little more friendly and shared things like our children there wouldn’t be such intolerance and hate in regards to other aspect of life. Just a thought. Tolerance has to begin somewhere! Liz P.S.- My son has really only had one cold that he caught at about 10 months from his Uncle (who is 10) and that’s it! Of course, he’s also been breastfed which makes a big difference! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I will be the first to admit that my eleven month old daughter is beautiful… >a portrait studio even wanted to display her picture in the studio because of >how photogenic and pretty she is.  However, my problem is that whenever I take >her to restaurants the waitresses want to touch her and put their hands all >over her.  This drives me crazy because I do not know whose food they have >handled or what they have touched.  I mean at one restaurant the waitress stood >at our table for twenty minutes playing with my daughter.  I do not want to >sound like a "bitch" and tell these people bluntly "Don’t touch my daughter" >but yet I can’t stand by and watch my child be put in a dangerous position. >Any advice? >WB

Response:

People seem to really go after tiny preemies, the exact wrong babies for them to touch. So many viruses are spread by touch, and an adult can have RSV and not know it. My son picked it up from a nurse while in the nicu. My son has always been extremely outgoing and everyone wants to talk to him and touch him, even people that don’t usually like kids. We usually put ourselves between him and others when we see the hands coming, especially when he was a baby. Don’t worry about seeming rude, touching another person without their permission, especially a child, is rude. Suzanne (mom to John Henry, 24 weeker, now 3.5)

Response:

A part of me just wanted to respond wit a "Geesh, lighten up!" But then I got to thinking about how when my youngest was born last year RSV was really bad and we didn’t go anywhere for a long time unless we absolutely had to. Personally, I would never pick up a child with out asking the parents first. And while chubby little cheeks and tiny hands do draw my eye, if I touch a child I usually touch their toes. By the time they have shoes on touch isn’t as important to communicating with a child, they seem to respond to words without the physical connection. Liz

Response:

I completely agree.  Where does this fear of other people come from ? it is a very sad comment on how some people seem to feel about society. We had our little boy out in public when he was this small and we loved when people would stroke his cute cheeks and pat his head. Paranioia seems to be creeping into people everyday lives in some places. When it comes to germs there seems to be an implication that ‘other people’ are rampant with dangerous germs when the truth is that most infections come from within the family. Exposure to a wide range of germs is critical for a child to grow up healthy and research last year showed that people exposed to a wider range of infectiosn when growing up had way ferwer allergies etc when they grew up. > Maybe you should just relax.

You said it.  Relax. Ziggy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I really can’t help you here.  I loved it when people paid attention to my > girls.                                As a matter of fact, one of the waitresses in one place took a break > and changed the dirty diaper of my youngest. (Yeah, I know, kind of strange, > but at least I didn’t have to interrupt my dinner either.)  I guess one > reason this didn’t bother me was that I am a very easy-going person.  I’m not > paranoid about people in general or my kids getting sick from every little > germ.  When they were newborns I had them out and around people at a week > old.  My girls were healthier than most of my friends who kept their kids in > for a month. (Only one of the three has EVER had an ear infection and she was > almost 5 when she got that one.) > Maybe you should just relax.  I have never known any kids that got anything > from a person touching them after waiting on tables.  :o)  If it really > bothers you thoug,  you might request that they not touch her hands, since > she has a tendency to put her hands in her mouth.  But I think she is > probably getting more germs from things she handles everyday that she would > get from them (since they are supposed to be washing their hands often.)

Response:

> Maybe you should just relax.  I have never known any kids that got anything > from a person touching them after waiting on tables.  

I’ve never known a cigarette smoker who has died of lung cancer. Does that mean it is safe to smoke? — EB Rock

Response:

To add to that, back in Aug. of 98, my son who was only 6 mos. old at the time, contracted salmonella poisoning while on vacation.  I panicked!  We always keep everything very clean, and were staying w/family, who also keep their homes clean.  I questioned the Doctor at the clinic where we were where on earth he could have gotten it from. They actaually asked if I had changed him in any unfamiliar environment (which I had in a rest room at a parking area–one of those fold down changing statoins) and whether anyone had been touching him.  Someone could have passed it on by touching his face or hands and he in turn putting his hands germs and all into his mouth.  So be catious of people touching your children.  I don’t mind people commenting on him, as I am a very proud mommy. And we are very affectionate w/him.  But it just seems to be different when it’s a stranger!!!

Response:

Stop worrying if you sound like a bitch! My gosh, so many germs are passed from hand to hand.  Insist that the person not touch your child as her immune system is far from developed. Most people will listen.  As for that BAD waitress, mention it to the manager, they’ll take care of it from there. Remember, the nice old lady in the mall who can’t resist your child, won’t be the one sitting up all night as you daughter fights off the cold she gave her. Carol

Response:

> ><HTML><PRE>I really can’t help you here.  I loved it when people paid >attention to my >girls. As a matter of fact, one of the waitresses in one place took a > break >and changed the dirty diaper of my youngest. > My first question would be, did the waitress wash her hands well before > continuing to serve food?! > – Blanche

I didn’t ask her, but do you ask yourself that before you eat out?  Remember, they have to wash their hands EVERYTIME they go back to work.  (Besides, she wasn’t serving us any more.)  LOL

Response:

I would have to agree w/the person who said you should have taken something from the waitress and given her the same kind of explination. I would have also in no uncertain terms let her know I did not think that was appropriate, and asked for her supervisor! I can’t stand it when I am in the store and people touch my child!  I don’t do that to others and don’t like it done to me!!!!!!!  LOOK  DON’T TOUCH!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >. We went to a restaurant today and the > >hostess that seated us had the nerve to pull the passie out > >of our 7 month old daughters month and told us, " see she > >doesn’t need it"and carried the passie to our table and set > >it down > That hostess is so lucky that she did that to you and not me.  I’d have given > her quite a large piece of my mind.  Then I’d have spoken to her manager about > how his/her employee treats customers, then I’d have taken my business > elsewhere.  The nerve. > I would have grabbed something out of her pocket and told her she didn’t > need it. > — > EB Rock

Response:

><HTML><PRE>I really can’t help you here.  I loved it when people paid >attention to my >girls.      As a matter of fact, one of the waitresses in one place took a break >and changed the dirty diaper of my youngest.

My first question would be, did the waitress wash her hands well before continuing to serve food?! – Blanche

Response:

I have the same problem with my daughter.  In fact, when my husband and I took her out for breakfast once the waitress even took her out of her carriage to "introduce her around".  My husband jumped up and took her back explaining that she had just gotten over a cold.  That’s now our standard excuse.  She either has a cold, just gotten over one, etc. However some people can’t take a hint and you ahve to be rude and say "look, leave us alone, okay?" esp. if you’re trying to eat.  Unless, of course, you love telling every newcommer to the room how old she is etc., with your mouth full:) — Paige GO LEAFS!!! proud to be Outlandish (to e-mail double the p and take out the "reston") – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I will be the first to admit that my eleven month old daughter is beautiful… > a portrait studio even wanted to display her picture in the studio because of > how photogenic and pretty she is.  However, my problem is that whenever I take > her to restaurants the waitresses want to touch her and put their hands all > over her.  This drives me crazy because I do not know whose food they have > handled or what they have touched.  I mean at one restaurant the waitress stood > at our table for twenty minutes playing with my daughter.  I do not want to > sound like a "bitch" and tell these people bluntly "Don’t touch my daughter" > but yet I can’t stand by and watch my child be put in a dangerous position. > Any advice? > WB

Response:

> I know what you mean. We went to a restaurant today and the > hostess that seated us had the nerve to pull the passie out > of our 7 month old daughters month and told us, " see she > doesn’t need it"and carried the passie to our table and set > it down. Actually our daughter rarely ever uses he passie. > It’s something we just offer her from time to time when she > is getting nappy. This was a veg/health food restaurant. Was > she trying to show me that she knew what was best for my > baby? It was bizzarre and my husband and I don’t quite know > what to make of it. > Melissa

Now THAT would bother me.  At 7 months old?  I see kids 3 and up that have a pacifier and it really bugs me, but I would NEVER go and take it from them if I didn’t know them.  I would just write it off as someone who didn’t think before she acted.

Response:

I really can’t help you here.  I loved it when people paid attention to my girls.  As a matter of fact, one of the waitresses in one place took a break and changed the dirty diaper of my youngest. (Yeah, I know, kind of strange, but at least I didn’t have to interrupt my dinner either.)  I guess one reason this didn’t bother me was that I am a very easy-going person.  I’m not paranoid about people in general or my kids getting sick from every little germ.  When they were newborns I had them out and around people at a week old.  My girls were healthier than most of my friends who kept their kids in for a month. (Only one of the three has EVER had an ear infection and she was almost 5 when she got that one.) Maybe you should just relax.  I have never known any kids that got anything from a person touching them after waiting on tables.  :o)  If it really bothers you thoug,  you might request that they not touch her hands, since she has a tendency to put her hands in her mouth.  But I think she is probably getting more germs from things she handles everyday that she would get from them (since they are supposed to be washing their hands often.) > I will be the first to admit that my eleven month old daughter is beautiful… > a portrait studio even wanted to display her picture in the studio because of > how photogenic and pretty she is.  However, my problem is that whenever I take > her to restaurants the waitresses want to touch her and put their hands all > over her.  This drives me crazy because I do not know whose food they have > handled or what they have touched.  I mean at one restaurant the waitress stood > at our table for twenty minutes playing with my daughter.  I do not want to > sound like a "bitch" and tell these people bluntly "Don’t touch my daughter" > but yet I can’t stand by and watch my child be put in a dangerous position. > Any advice? > WB

Response:

> >. We went to a restaurant today and the >hostess that seated us had the nerve to pull the passie out >of our 7 month old daughters month and told us, " see she >doesn’t need it"and carried the passie to our table and set >it down > That hostess is so lucky that she did that to you and not me.  I’d have given > her quite a large piece of my mind.  Then I’d have spoken to her manager about > how his/her employee treats customers, then I’d have taken my business > elsewhere.  The nerve.

I would have grabbed something out of her pocket and told her she didn’t need it. — EB Rock

Response:

I brought my newborn son to the emergency room and this lady, who had just come out of the bathroom, and saw us.  She came over and told me how beautiful he and then started to touch his face.  I saw her finger head towards his little mouth and I spoke up and explained to her how my son spent time in the NICU and is susceptible to colds and viruses.  She apologized and said she understood and left us to be.  When people see a newborn, I would think it would be common sense: "hands off!!!!".  All newborns, not just the NICU ones, are vulnerable to RSV ands other infections and viruses. People should learn to admire from afar.  Even older babies, people should not touch babies until the  children are older or with parents permission. My 2 you daughter loves babies, but I always taught her no touching.  She has germs that her brother would be resistant to them from prenatal exposure, but to other babies these are new germs can be problems.  Because he’s still so little, I simply use the NICU, health compromised story all the time to ward off offenders. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->. We went to a restaurant today and the >hostess that seated us had the nerve to pull the passie out >of our 7 month old daughters month and told us, " see she >doesn’t need it"and carried the passie to our table and set >it down >That hostess is so lucky that she did that to you and not me.  I’d have given >her quite a large piece of my mind.  Then I’d have spoken to her manager about >how his/her employee treats customers, then I’d have taken my business >elsewhere.  The nerve. >Melissa C.

Response:

>. We went to a restaurant today and the >hostess that seated us had the nerve to pull the passie out >of our 7 month old daughters month and told us, " see she >doesn’t need it"and carried the passie to our table and set >it down

That hostess is so lucky that she did that to you and not me.  I’d have given her quite a large piece of my mind.  Then I’d have spoken to her manager about how his/her employee treats customers, then I’d have taken my business elsewhere.  The nerve. Melissa C.

Response:

I have this exact same problem with my 2 daughters.  I just tell people that the girls don’t like strangers and turn away from them.  I guess I don’t care if I’m rude or not Melissa C.

Response:

I know what you mean. We went to a restaurant today and the hostess that seated us had the nerve to pull the passie out of our 7 month old daughters month and told us, " see she doesn’t need it"and carried the passie to our table and set it down. Actually our daughter rarely ever uses he passie. It’s something we just offer her from time to time when she is getting nappy. This was a veg/health food restaurant. Was she trying to show me that she knew what was best for my baby? It was bizzarre and my husband and I don’t quite know what to make of it. Melissa

Response:

I will be the first to admit that my eleven month old daughter is beautiful… a portrait studio even wanted to display her picture in the studio because of how photogenic and pretty she is.  However, my problem is that whenever I take her to restaurants the waitresses want to touch her and put their hands all over her.  This drives me crazy because I do not know whose food they have handled or what they have touched.  I mean at one restaurant the waitress stood at our table for twenty minutes playing with my daughter.  I do not want to sound like a "bitch" and tell these people bluntly "Don’t touch my daughter" but yet I can’t stand by and watch my child be put in a dangerous position. Any advice? WB

Response: