Lessons Learned

The Burnetts have survived the first and hopefully only stomach flu we will see in 2009 (or at least this month). The flu was much harder on Callum than Iain or I but I supposed that this is because this is his first experience with it. I'd like to say his last but likely isn't so. Callum in total was sick for five days-Iain and I for 24 hours a piece. I learned several lessons caring for a sick baby. As mentioned before, Pedialyte is a great thing to have around the house in advance of needing it. For those of you not familiar with Pedialyte- it is a drink for children that restores nutrients to the body when ill. Fortunately a co-worker was kind enough on Friday morning to run to the store and pick it up for me when I desperately needed it and didn't want to drag Callum out of the house. Although Callum didn't want to drink it, after seeing the results of a sick baby drinking formula, he learned quickly to wash it down because Mommy wasn't giving him anything else. I also learned that I needed more Pedialyte than I thought I ever would. In total, I made 4 trips to the grocery store, buying 6 bottles of it over a span of several days. This stuff isn't cheap either so next time it is on sale, I am stocking up! Another lesson learned is that even though you think your baby is better- personality is normal, he is eating the recommended solids (applesauce, rice cereal)- if the nurse at Franklin County Pediatrics tells you that the bug is staying with infants for 5-8 days- believe her. Until Callum can talk, I'm going to follow the nurse's instructions a bit better and avoid the solids. My final lesson learned is that no matter how many times you wash your hands, scrub down toys/highchairs/counter tops with Clorox wipes and wash sheets/clothes/towels in hot water on the long cycle AND suffer through a flu shot- you will still get sick from caring for your baby. Fortunately it only lasted a day, but yesterday was long enough for me to beg Iain to come home at lunchtime and relieve me of Callum so that I could rest. He obliged and I spent the afternoon napping while he and Callum played. Stay well everyone!