Taking care of a newborn is hard, but it is even harder during times like this when you have to practice social distancing. You would only have yourself and your partner take all the responsibility of caring for your little one because families and friends have to stay in their homes to practice self-isolation.
Here are three tips on how to care for your little one's needs during a pandemic.
Going to the Hospital with a Newborn
Offices of pediatricians are taking extraordinary measures to make all mothers feel safe when during a visit. Most pediatric groups have implemented a "wellness clinic and sick clinic" model where those who are healthy will be met by a physician in one location, while those who manifest respiratory tract infections are to be directed to another area.
Patients who are well should also undergo heavy-duty screening protocols before entering the doors. Some would ask patients if they have in contact with those that have been infected, others would check the temperature of parents before admitting them. They would suggest everyone wear face masks in common areas and would advise them to refrain from sitting in the lobby.
Getting Lactation Support During a Pandemic
Even though most of us are used to going virtual now, sometimes, having personal contact is still the best. Support for breastfeeding newborns can be done via telehealth, but most first-time moms would need hands-on help from certified lactation consultants to help them with their breastfeeding journey.
If your baby is not gaining enough weight a few days after birth or is losing too much weight, then you might need to listen to your pediatrician if he advises that you come to the office to seek help from a lactation consultant.
Social Distancing Guidelines for Parents with Newborns
Babies are considered vulnerable to infections in the first month of life. Pediatricians would recommend parents to practice hand hygiene when handling the little one and avoid exposing them to those who are sick. It is an emergency if an infant develops a fever in their first month, so according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it would be wise to wash your hands always, stay away from sick people, and follow the vaccination schedule.
Due to the COVID-19, everyone is expected to practice social distancing to prevent the further spread of the virus more so for new families because their babies are more at risk of getting infected. Even the grandparents of the newborn are at high risk, so they should also distance themselves from the outside world.
It is hard for new parents to care for their little ones on their own, but there are still ways to get support from families and friends. You may request gift cards that can be used for no-contact food delivery, so you do not have to prepare meals every day. Seek help from people in your village by asking them to contribute to a virtual doula fund so you could get help from professionals while practicing safe distance from others.
