It is normal to be conflicted about when it is considered safe to go out with your newborn particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, it is for good reason that paediatricians recommend keeping your new baby away from public areas until their immunity can withstand it. With 146,574 live births between January and March 2021, you are most likely not alone in this confusion. Fortunately, with the appropriate post-pandemic precautions, you can take your newborn out in public and still get to keep them safe and comfortable. The following are a few tips on how to pull it off successfully.
- Keep people’s hands and faces away from your newborn
At a glance, it is impossible to determine who is sick or may carry a virus. However, you must know that everybody walks around with a good measure of germs on their hands. That includes you, but fortunately, you will be carrying around alcohol sanitisers and wipes. But can you say the same for others in public who come close to your baby? This is why it’s a good idea to make others understand the reason behind not touching your newborn’s face and hands.
As the new parent, you have the right to politely (but firmly) ask people not to touch your baby or come too close to your infant’s face. Not even to give feathery kisses. Your baby’s health (and even yours) can be at risk.
- Carefully select where you go with baby
You may think of aeroplanes, airports, schools, hospitals, and other places with high human presence as germ centrals. If it’s possible to avoid these places, considering doing that in the early days. However, you may not be able to escape the hospital or daycare when your baby is ready. In that case, you’re better off keeping your newborn in a body carrier or a stroller with a protective (but well ventilated) cover. More importantly, be sure to wash your hands often or in the absence of water and soap, sanitise them before touching your baby in these locations.
- Limit direct sun exposure and be mindful of rain
The sun has its advantages, like facilitating the production of Vitamin D that the human body needs to function correctly. However, too much of it can cause sunburns and even some forms of skin cancer. For a newborn, direct sun exposure can be detrimental to their overall metabolism. Indeed, you can immediately attend to the instant fuss and cries your newborn makes to show heat discomfort. However, what you cannot deal with is excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
Therefore, when you have to step out with your newborn, infant health experts recommend only 15 minutes of sun exposure. Even with that, your baby should be in a pram that provides enough shade for their protection. Moreover, it helps to be mindful of rain showers at any time of the day. Even when weather reports say it will be a clear sunny day, you cannot take any chances. In that case, it would be helpful to invest in a pushchair raincover to keep your tiny bundle dry and comfortable.
Leave a Reply