COVID-19 & caring for your baby

We know this is a worrying time for everyone, and that you may have particular concerns if you are pregnant or have a baby. We have put together the advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) and caring for your baby currently available and will keep updating this as we know more.

If you have a young baby, continue to follow public health advice:

Healthy food is essential to stay strong. Continue to breastfeed your baby if you are doing so. If not, it is important to give the best organic baby formula.

If you show symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), try not to cough or sneeze on your baby. Wash your hands before touching your baby or any toys/bottles of the baby. Please make sure they are in their own separate sleeping space, such as a cot or Moses basket.
If your baby is unwell with a cold or fever, don’t be tempted to wrap them up more than usual. Babies need to be able to release health to lower their body temperature.
 We are not aware of babies’ advice to wear masks, whether they are infected or not. There is a potential risk of suffocation and other hazards when placing a mask on babies.
Always seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby – either linked to coronavirus (COVID-19) or any other health issue.
How Can I Protect My baby?
Limit exposure and avoid unnecessary public contact.
If going out is essential, cover the infant carrier (NOT THE INFANT) with a blanket, which helps protect the baby, but still gives them the ability to breathe comfortably. Do not leave the blanket on the carrier in the car or at any time when the baby and carrier are not in direct view.
Keep your hands clean. Frequent handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds is optimal, but hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol, is the next best substitute.
Clean frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, light switches, and electronics often.
If a parent cannot leave the young infant at home and is pressed to go into the public, keep the outing short, and always follow the 6 feet distancing rule.
Remember always to wash your hands (and any siblings’ hands) as soon as you return home.

The world, as we once knew it might have changed, but safe sleep guidelines have not. Remember, infants should be placed alone, on their back, in an empty crib in a non-smoking home. Pacifiers have been shown to have a protective effect on the incidence of SIDS, but ONLY the pacifier with no attachments like bands or animals, and especially not masks.