As COVID-19 remains a health and probably a live threatening risk, we have now learned step by step how to protect our selves and loved ones form it. The Most important steps which one should keep in mind as to ” How to protect your Baby from COVID-19 are as under :
Social Distancing
Social distancing which is also called as physical distancing is probably the most effective way to save you and your baby from this virus. The parents should keep themselves and their children away from the crowded places and most of the time should stay at home and must only go out if it’s absolutely necessary.
Washing and Sanitizing hands
If you are picking up your baby you should first try to always wash your hands and if you go outside use hand sanitizer and when ever you come back wash your hands properly before going to you baby.
Get Vaccinated
To save you children from COVID-19 the parents should get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to save their children from being infected from their parents.
Wear Masks
The parents should always wear masks when go out and if they fell any symptoms related to COVID-19 they should also wear mask within the house and near your baby and if the symptoms become severe, they should quarantine themselves from the rest of the family for at least 15 days. With the gradual opening of communities, mask wearing in public has became very important. In many states there is a mandatory order to wear mask whenever you are in public. CDC also have issued strict orders to wear mask in public transportation. For toddlers they must be over the age of 2 in order to wear mask. So the question in every parent mind will be as how to protect their little ones.
Why Should People Wear Masks?
COVID-19 or corona virus spreads from people when they sneeze, cough, speak and breath so the mask basically creates a barrier for the virus and thus protects us from the virus. This is also true for persons having no known symptoms but can be infected and having no idea that they got infected. Thus wearing the mask not only protects you but also the people around you. So if everybody wear a maks when they go outside the chances of Being infected reduces significantly so the the children that are under 2 years old who could not wear any mask will be protected from corona virus. So, the parents for the sake of their young ones must always wear mask in public.
Why a Baby or a Toddler shouldn’t wear a Mask?
It is now a known fact that babies under 2 should not wear any mask because:
- They are very small similarly their internal airways are smaller to for small so babies under 2 year have difficulty breathing in masks.
- As the babies are small and mostly can even talk or tell their problems to their parents and even can’t get their masks off by themselves so there is a danger that your baby might suffocate.
- Most of the masks have strings and some elastic bands on their sides which the baby might accidently swallow so there is a danger that the baby might choke.
- Most the babies don’t like anything on their faces so they might try to remove the mask and in turn touch their face again and again thus the chances of spreading the virus may increase.
Are Babies and Toddlers at risk of getting Infected with COVID-19 coronavirus?
As COVID-19 is spreading in adults but there are now reported cases in which children and babies are also being infected but most of the symptoms they display are mild illness and sometime caused no symptoms. In some cases the babies have gotten very sick but as this is new virus nobody knows what future will bring to the best remedy is to be safe as all of us know (Prevention is better than cure) so its very important to protect the babies in other ways other than masks
How my Baby can be protected from Coronavirus infection?
We can protect our little ones by avoiding big crowds and if its absolutely necessary the parents should maintain a distance of about 6 to 8 feet’s from people when you are outside your house. When you take your toddler outside try your best to do everything which will reduce the risk of you and your child to be safe. Follow these basic rules.
- Try to avoid people who you know are sick.
- Always wash your hands before touching or picking up you baby or coming into the house from outside
- Always wash hands before cleaning baby bottles and breast feeding your baby
- Clean the area around the baby and all the places in house must properly be disinfected where people use their hands like doorknobs, cellphones, counter tops and stairwell’s.
- Try not to touch baby nose and mouth and also the parents should also follow these steps when coming from outside.
- If you sneeze try to sneeze or cough into some cloth tissue or in you elbow so that the sneeze particles may not spread too much away from your hands.
- Try to wear your mask if you feel like you are sick and if the symptoms become worse try to isolate your self away from your family.
- If you are taking your baby in a stroller try to cover it in a blanket and when you come back home disinfect the stroller with some disinfectant so it can be used safely fro the next use.
Is it safe to take my Baby or Toddler to the Vaccination center or Doctor for Vaccination?
Yes it is safe to take your baby to a vaccination center or a doctor as all health professionals are taking step to keep the environment sterilized and clean by deep cleansing their offices and other step they are taking is limiting the amount of people visiting by properly timing each patient appointment. Waiting areas are also limiting amount of people coming and providing mandatory mask and temperature check and applying social distancing. Most of the health care offices are only allowing one caregiver to go with the child thus limiting amount of people coming into the office.
During the pandemic stay in touch with your doctor for :
Vaccines and health visits. The parents should keep their child’s vaccines up to date and it’s the basic key to ensure your child’s safety. Ask your health care prividers about vaccines and routine checkups. If the pandemic is worsening ask for telehealth visits. Some infants with little serious condition might need in person visit with the doctor. They will provide you with best answers and will make sure that your little one gets the best care possible.
Sick visits. If you fell your child is sick you should not wait to get the needed care. The parents should call the doctor for advice and care instruction right away.
Health Emergency (Call 911). If your child has a health emergency which may include your child might not be breathing, Turing blue, very sleepy, very hard to wake-up and in some severe cases being unconscious you should call 911 right away