10 Ways to Protect Your CDH Baby from RSV

What is RSV?

RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, is a highly contagious respiratory virus. In most healthy individuals, it presents as a common cold and isn’t usually a big deal. However, in babies with compromised lungs, it can be much more severe.

What to look for?

Babies and kids with RSV will likely have typical cold symptoms (runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, and sore throat). However, it can often spread to the lungs, causing bronchitis and/or pneumonia, which can be serious enough to require hospitalization and intubation.

Other than washing my hands, what can I do to protect my baby?

Synagis Shots

Thankfully CDH babies will generally qualify for a shot called Synagis the first year or two of life (given monthly during RSV season) that helps reduce the chance of contracting RSV. It is very expensive but often covered by insurance. It is important to consider this shot, as it will give an added level of protection. If your insurance denies it, you can submit for reconsideration and ask your child’s surgeon to write a letter that explains CDH and your child’s medical need for the shots.

Staying Out of Crowds

As hard as it may be, the first year of life (maybe even the first two years), it is crucial to keep your Tiny Hero away from large crowds and be extra careful in their interactions with other young children. It’s best to keep your infant out of daycare and other public places as much as possible that first year while their lungs work hard to catch up to their peers.

Breastfeeding

Nursing or pumping milk provides significant benefits to your CDH baby. They will receive antibodies from the milk that helps protect against illness, and if you take probiotics or vitamins, they will likely receive some added nutrients.

Wiping Surfaces

RSV is highly contagious and is often picked up on shopping carts, doorknobs, credit card machines, and other things we touch everywhere we go. Be sure to disinfect your hands after handling these objects and before touching your baby. To disinfect your hands properly, you should put a good amount of hand sanitizer in your hand and rub it together for at least 10 seconds until the sanitizer is completely rubbed in and dry; most people do not rub long enough. Also, remember that it’s totally acceptable to be the crazy-lady wiping down everything your baby will touch! Cart covers are great for slightly older kids and can work in park swings and high chairs as well. And if a toy or food hits the floor, it’s best to clean it off before giving it back!

It’s totally acceptable to be the crazy-lady wiping down everything your baby will touch!

Changing Clothes

When you get home from work or back from public places, remove your shoes at the door and be sure to change your clothes immediately before picking up and interacting with your baby. It will help cut down on the number of germs that make their way into your house. Also, keep objects that have been in public out of baby’s reach and off of furniture where they could transfer germs (including backpacks, lunch boxes, purses, diaper bags, and things of that nature).

Babywearing

One great way to keep your baby from breathing too many germs or being touched by strangers is to wear them in a carrier facing toward your body. When you go into busy areas, you can throw a blanket or burp cloth over them to help reduce the chances they are touched or coughed on. If babywearing isn’t for you, you might consider leaving your baby in the car seat in your stroller with a cover while you run into stores. It will keep viruses that are airborne from being breathed in by your baby.

Air Purifier

Some air purifiers say they help eliminate germs! It might be worth investing in one for your home if it is in the budget. These will also remove dust, particles, VOCs, mold, smoke, and other things from the air that could hinder the breathing of a CDH baby.

Remember it’s okay to tell people you’ll need to do a rain check or that you’ll be missing the event.

Sick Policy

It is also necessary for family and friends to understand the significance of keeping your baby healthy. They need to “get” how scary RSV and pneumonia could be. Having the discussion and implementing a sick policy for your house will help. It may include not allowing anyone around your child that is currently exhibiting cold symptoms (even if they may claim it’s allergies). Some people take it a step further and ask that people not come over if they have been around anyone that has been sick or ask that anyone coming over have their flu and DTaP vaccines. It’s not always fun or easy to set up and enforce the policy, but it’s definitely a vital element in keeping your baby safe. Remember, it’s okay to tell people you’ll need to do a rain check or that you’ll be missing the event.

Essential Oils

Many people have found diffusing essential oils to help reduce the number of germs in the home. It’s important to do your research and use the oils you are comfortable with. Some will kill germs in the air and on surfaces when diffused. It is recommended not to diffuse the essential oils in the room with your child, but rather to clean the room after they are in bed for the night. When it comes to cleaning things that will likely be in your child’s mouth, a cleaner made from vinegar and water is a great natural option!

Supplements

Taking a high-quality vitamin and a probiotic will help keep your immune system up and help you fight off viruses. Elderberry, vitamin D, and vitamin C can also be very beneficial in helping you stay healthy during flu/RSV season or in reducing the length of time you or your children have an illness. For your baby with CDH, talk to their pediatrician about what supplements would be right for them.

Overall, it’s important to remember that your Tiny Hero will get sick even with all of your precautionary efforts. When they do, monitor their symptoms and if something seems off, seek help. RSV is a virus, and it will need to run its course, but often supplemental oxygen, a breathing treatment, or a little time in the hospital will help them breathe easier, get over the hurdle, protect their little lungs from further damage, and keep them from getting worse.

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