It's that time of the year....

It's that time of the year!

The holiday season?

Nope...


Flu season.

With that comes runny noses and high temperatures (not outside unfortunately) and possibly other yucky stuff. Well, I won't go into too much detail with all the yucky stuff but remember when attending our meetings to use common sense and don't bring a sick child or come if you are sick yourself.

That includes avoiding meetings if you or little one are:
*running a fever of 100.4 or higher within the last 24 hours
*any vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
*a common cold with discolored nasal mucus or a cough
*sore throat
*croup
*an undiagnosed rash or skin infection
*any symptoms of any childhood communicable diseases
*pinkeye or other contagious infections
*suspected mononucleosis

We have pregnant moms as well as very small infants and children at our meetings and we want to keep everyone healthy!

If you cannot make a meeting and have a carrier to return, simply contact one of the librarians and they can help to figure out an arrangement to get your carrier returned in a timely fashion so that you can avoid a late fee.

And here's some tips to make babywearing your little one who is sick a bit easier on both of you.

1. Pick one carrier (if you've got multiple) and stick with it. You don't really want to get more than one full of those yucky germs.

2. Make that one carrier you're using with your sick baby something that is easily washable. And when they're feeling better go ahead and wash it so they don't start sucking on their favorite spot and get themselves sick all over again. (If you have a carrier checked out from our lending library, just contact a librarian if you need to wash. We'll give you instructions on how to wash that specific carrier.)

3. Make sure you pick a carrier that's comfortable for you and your baby, not your one you use for quick up and downs. That sick baby may just go to sleep and take a long nap. You don't want to interrupt that just because you picked a carrier you use for short periods of time.

4. They may have a fever and want snuggles but make sure not to overheat your little one. Pay real close attention on how many layers (pajamas, wrap, favorite snuggle blanket they must cuddle) they really are covered with.

5. If you're both exhausted from being up all night and sickness, remember that it is not safe to wear your baby while you are sleeping. Not laying in bed, not sitting up in your favorite rocking chair, not anywhere. You need to be awake when babywearing to monitor your wearee at all times. If you need sleep, let someone else wear the baby who can be awake.

6. Babywearing is great for those babies who need a nap but are too congested to be laying down comfortably. But always remember tip number 4.

7. It is possible sometimes to transfer a sleeping little one to a crib or bed. Make sure you don't leave the carrier with them in such a way that they could inadvertently injure themselves by pulling the long wrap over themselves or getting caught in a carrier strap. Slide the carrier out from under them.

8. Enjoy all the cuddles, especially when your little one is sick and is more snuggly than usual, because they grow so fast and soon enough, these days will be just fond memories!