What To Do When You're Worried About RSV
During respiratory seasons pregnant women and moms are especially alert to the risk of RSV for their babies. My clients express feeling like their only options are “to be worried or get the RSV vaccine,” but then feeling much more confident and informed when we discuss the following information.
You are NOT powerless in RSV season! Here are 3 mighty preventions and some RSV vaccine info to help you be more empowered in your choices, and keep your baby safe and healthy. (Please share far and wide, your whole community will stay healthier when parents know how to be more proactive!)
1. VITAMIN D
Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are linked to increased respiratory infections in the babies. Even moderate maternal levels of vitamin D have been found to reduce respiratory risks for infants, resulting in:
62% less lung infections
66% less ear infections
70% less colds
And even significantly less asthma at age 5!
The recommended daily supplementation* to maintain the most minimal level (30 mg/ml) of vitamin D is:
Neonates: 400-1,000 IU
Children 1 yr+ : 600-1,000 IU
Adults: 1,500 to 2,000 IU.
This is just an introduction to Vitamin D, I urge you to learn about the healthy benefits of sun exposure and to dig a little deeper to Vitamin D with the resources listed at the end.
Many of my experienced health care colleagues consider these levels to be far too low for sustaining robust health, and suggest supplementing to maintain levels ~ 70-100 mg/ml. Since low vitamin D levels are linked to immune compromise, respiratory illness, and depression (and is a fairly inexpensive lab test), all bloodwork (pregnant and otherwise, frankly) should include checking vitamin D.
If your physician is resistant, they are sorely lacking in up-to-date info.
2. COLOSTRUM HELPS, A LOT!
Mother’s first milk is colostrum, which is nature’s ‘Liquid Gold’ that transfers mother’s immunities into the baby. This is how the baby is able to be automatically protected with all the same immunities as their mother for their first six months. Breastfeeding continues to daily provide this very active immune protection, as mom makes antibodies to everything she is exposed to which is then passed on through her milk. Even if there are supply issues or you are not breastfeeding, these first drops of colostrum are life-long protective game-changes for your newborn. Also - remember that early colostrum is measured in drops, not ounces! Every drop helps!
3. PROTECT NEWBORNS
It takes at least six weeks or more for the immature immune system of the newborn to begin coming on line with any real effectiveness. I strongly urge you to protect your newborn by:
Staying home & cuddling the first three weeks or more; mom and baby both benefit from being in bed together skin-to-skin.
Getting those precious photos with the grandparent, but declining without regret large gatherings in first 4-8 wks.
Baby wearing with baby facing parent when you do emerge.
Keeping baby cozy with 1-2 layers MORE than you are wearing, which helps to conserve their calories and be more robust. The benefits of including socks, undershirts, and hats commonly include better sleep, bowel movements, growth, and overall health.
RSV VACCINE
Do your research on sites for CDC, the brand of the vaccine your are considering, or JustTheInserts.com. Physicians are required by law to provide informed consent every time they offer medical treatment. Delivering proper care means volunteering this information without bullying as part of your decision-making process, such as supplying the product insert with sufficient time to research the risks and benefits before the appointment. Receiving any vaccines in pregnancy requires exceptional scrutiny.
RSV vaccine in pregnancy ups risks of:
Premature birth (which is why it’s administered only after 32 wks)
Low birth weight
Jaundice
Stated side effects of the RSV vaccine administered to infants include: “Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, including fatal cases, Urticaria (Hives), Pruritus (Chronic itchy skin), Angioedema (Swelling), Dyspnea (Shortness of breath), Respiratory failure, Cyanosis (blue/purple skin), Hypotonia (Floppy infant syndrome), Hypotension (Low blood pressure), Unresponsiveness, Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 50,000 per microliter), Injection site reactions.”
Also: There is reduced immune response to this vaccine if the immune system is already suppressed (Ie. pregnancy).
🩵 Take a deep breath! These are very highly charged topics, but getting more information will help them be less scary and you feel more confident of your decisions. I’ve been a midwife teaching holistic prenatal and postpartum care along with nutrition and natural health for many decades, and to the best of my knowledge none of ‘my’ young babies have been hospitalized with RSV. Taking reasonable precautions and attending to your health naturally does increase the odds of your baby staying safe and healthy.
This is just the beginning of what you need to know, there is so much more I’d love to teach you.
In my on-line course for moms, Get Well Soon, we cover natural approaches for all the everyday family illnesses in detail, especially respiratory and coughing remedies, most safe for pregnancy and even newborns (there’s notes when pregnant moms should avoid them). There is also lots of info on how to improve your family’s resilience and help them heal faster.
Get Well Soon gets your confidence up with 7+ hours of step-by-step training videos, a 76-page reference manual, and five fabulous new free bonus eBooks. From puking to earaches, moms report feeling a lot calmer when they understand how to use a wide range of effective natural approaches and what to do next. This is where to get ALL your questions answered, not just “What can I do?”, but also how, when, and why to do it! Get all the details here, and through January 12, 2025, enjoy a ‘Happy New Year’ coupon for $50 off with code: NEWYEAR.
I look forward to helping you have a much healthier year!
* Two great places to start for more info on vitamin D & immunity are this interview with Dr. Ryan Cole and this post on Dr. Mercola’s website.