Coronavirus (COVID-19) How to protect yourself and your baby

This is a very stressful time for parents of young children parents-to-be and pregnant women. That’s why Aptamil is sharing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations on how to protect you and your baby, since you are your baby’s primary source of contact with the outside world.

We also have a panel of Aptamil experts who are providing answers to the most frequently asked questions about bottle-feeding, breastfeeding, and pregnancy, to help guide you and your child through the Coronavirus outbreak.

7 Ways to protect your baby

Wash Hands Regularly

The Coronavirus is spread by human contact. Therefore, washing your hands is the best way to protect against it. So wash your hands before touching your baby and insist to anyone that’s about to touch your baby to wash their hands as well.

Unfortunately our babies can’t wash their own hands, so thoroughly wash your hands with them using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Why? This will kill any viruses that may be on our hands and instantly stop them from infecting you and your child.

Maintain Social Distancing

Our babies often attract attention. Therefore, as their parent it is your responsibility to minimize interactions between your child and other adults. Basically stopping people from picking them up and cuddling them all the time, which may spread the virus.

As well as avoiding close contact, maintain a distance of at least 1 meter, (3 feet) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? Because when someone cough or sneezes, they spray small droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you or your child are nearby, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus.

Avoid Touching The Eyes, Nose And Mouth

We tend to touch many different surfaces throughout the day. We also like to touch our babies who in turn like to touch their faces. So for anyone that’s about to handle your child (and that includes yourself), make sure they’ve thoroughly washed their hands.

Why? These surfaces can be contaminated with the coronavirus and once the virus has arrived on the hands it can easily be transferred into the body via the mouth, nose or eyes when we touch our face.

We can’t stop touching different surfaces. But we can halt the passage of the virus into the body by not touching our or our baby’s face.

Practice Good Respiratory Hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around your baby follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering the mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Then disposing of used tissues immediately.

Why? Droplets spread the virus. By allowing good respiratory hygiene, you protect your baby and the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu, and COVID-19.

If You Have Fever, Cough, And Difficulty Breathing, Seek Medical Care Early

Stay at home if you feel unwell. If you have the early signs of a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention in advance. For more information, follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help further spreading of the virus and other infections.

Practice Food Safety When Cooking

We cook for ourselves, our family, and our baby. That’s why it’s even more important for you to follow food safety procedures when cooking.
Use separate chopping boards for raw and cooked food.

Meat products can be safely consumed if these items are cooked thoroughly and handled properly during preparation.

Stay Informed And Follow Advice

Be aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the World Health Organization (WHO) website and through your national and local public health authority.

Seek advice from reliable sources for you and your baby.

Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but It can be more severe.