By Cori Cook, FNP-C, Premier Pediatrics
Many parents with a newborn baby have questions and concerns when it comes to keeping their infant safe and healthy. As we make our way through a global pandemic, new parents may feel extra pressure and stress caring for their newborn.
Despite all the changes brought about by COVID-19, one thing remains the same for parents: Your pediatrician is the best source of health advice for your baby.
One of the easiest things you can do to protect your baby is to make sure you stay up to date with all well-baby checkups. While it’s normal to worry about taking your baby out in public, it’s also vital for your newborn to stay on track with their immunizations. In the first year of life, babies receive vaccines for many preventable (and deadly) diseases such as hepatitis B, whooping cough, and polio. Your well-baby visits are also an opportunity to ask questions you may have about breastfeeding, nutrition, development, and preventing illness.
Making sure that you take precautions to prevent yourself from getting infected with the coronavirus is another way to help protect your newborn. Always wear a mask when you’re around other people who don’t live with you. And stay at least 6 feet away from anyone outside your home. Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer, if necessary. Infants should never wear a face covering because it can increase the risk of suffocation. Do not use hand sanitizer on an infant. Wash their hands with soap and water and rinse well.
Instead of inviting friends and relatives to meet your baby in person, consider using platforms like Zoom or FaceTime to make introductions safely.
If you require childcare for your newborn, make sure your provider follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding COVID-19. Stay informed about recommendations by visiting CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
It’s normal to have many questions when you’re taking care of a newborn, especially if this is your first child. If you think your newborn is ill or has a fever, resist the urge to seek medical advice on the internet. Call your pediatrician instead.
Like this post?
Sign up to receive our once monthly email with more kids' health tips from the region's most trusted name in pediatric health care.
About CHKD Medical Group
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has been the region’s most trusted name in pediatric care for more than 50 years. As members of CHKD Health System, our pediatricians work closely with CHKD’s full range of pediatric specialists and surgeons. They also share a commitment to quality, excellence and child-centered care. With 18 practices in 29 locations throughout the region, a CHKD pediatrician is never far.
