08/28/2026
Thanks for Sara’s post!
🚨 RSV is here, friends… IN AUGUST. 😳
RSV is scary, but unfortunately, it is also a very common virus, especially in little ones.
Here are a few simple ways to help protect your baby:
🧼 Wash your hands frequently — especially before touching or feeding your baby.
💋 Please don’t let anyone kiss your baby on the face or hands. Those sweet baby kisses can wait! ❤️
🤧 Keep anyone who is sick away from your baby. What may seem like “just a little sniffle” to an adult can be a much bigger deal for a young baby. Babies primarily breathe through their noses, so even a stuffy nose can make feeding and breathing more difficult.
👥 Avoid large crowds when possible, especially if you have a very young or high-risk infant.
💉 Pregnant? Talk to your OB about RSV prevention. Maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy can help protect your baby after birth. If maternal vaccination isn’t given or isn’t appropriate, eligible infants can receive an RSV preventive antibody during their first RSV season. Your pediatrician can help you determine what your baby needs.
If your baby gets stuffy, remember the basics:
👃 Nasal saline + gentle suction as needed
💨 Cool-mist humidifier
🍼 Smaller, more frequent feedings if congestion is making feeding difficult
💧 Keep a close eye on wet diapers and hydration
🚨 And remember: RSV can become serious. If your baby is working hard to breathe, breathing very fast, having pauses in breathing, turning blue/gray around the lips, struggling to feed, or having significantly fewer wet diapers, seek medical care right away.
I fear we may be in for a long RSV season, but I’m hopeful that the prevention tools we have this year will give our babies a fighting chance. ❤️
— Your friendly neighborhood pediatric provider 😬🫶🏻