Preventing infection
Babies are more vulnerable to infections than older children, especially in their first few weeks. Here you will find the signs and symptoms to look out for that your baby might be unwell.
Covid and caring for your baby
If you have a young baby, continue to follow public health advice:
- Continue to breastfeed your baby if you are doing so.
- It is important that you continue to follow safer sleep advice to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is really important that your baby has a safe space to sleep. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket.
- If you show symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) try not to cough or sneeze on your baby. Make sure they are in their own separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for all day and night sleeps.
- If your baby is unwell with a cold or fever don’t be tempted to wrap them up more than usual. Your baby should be dressed for their environment. You could also use our Baby Check App to help you assess if your baby needs to see a health professional. (Please note the Baby Check app does not diagnose/test for Covid.)
- Always seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby – either linked to Covid or any other health issue.
- If you have questions about safer sleep, contact our information line on 0808 802 6869 or email [email protected].
Taking your baby to a clinic
You will need to take your baby for their routine appointments at your GP surgery or clinic. It is really important that you take your baby to any appointments they have, or to get help if you are worried about their health.
Covid advice in pregnancy
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant speak to a GP or midwife. They’ll support you and give you all the information you need. They’ll also make sure you receive safe and personal maternity care.
If you’re pregnant, it’s important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading Covid, such as washing your hands regularly. If you’re more than 28 weeks pregnant it’s especially important to follow this advice.
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), roughly two-thirds of pregnant women with COVID-19 have no symptoms at all, and most pregnant women who do have symptoms only have mild cold or flu-like symptoms. However, a small number of pregnant women can become unwell with Covid. Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 are at slightly increased risk of becoming severely unwell compared to non-pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester. Pregnant women have been included in the list of people at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) as a precaution.
Although it’s very rare for pregnant women to become seriously ill if they get Covid, it may be more likely later in pregnancy. If this happens, there’s a small chance your baby may be born early or you may be advised to give birth earlier than your due date.
While the chances of having a stillbirth are low, there is some emerging evidence that the risk may be higher if you have COVID-19 at the time of birth.
- It may be possible for you to pass coronavirus to your baby before they are born but when this has happened, the babies have got better.
- There is also no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 infection in early pregnancy increases the chance of a miscarriage or affects how your baby develops in pregnancy.
Advice from the RCOG
Appointments and scans
You’ll still have regular appointments and scans while you’re pregnant.
If you’re well, it’s really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.
Other things to consider
When you are visiting family or friends with your baby remember it is still important to continue to follow the government guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
If things are feeling overwhelming and you are increasingly anxious it is important to talk about this with your Health Visitor.
It is important to try to look after your mental health as well as your physical health. The Institute of Health Visiting has some useful contacts to support your mental health during pregnancy and after having a baby.
Check in your local area for local fitness classes or you may wish to consider online fitness workouts to keep active, postnatal Yoga or Pilates for example. There are lots of mindfulness and mediation websites and apps that might also help. Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, running, yoga, dancing, or even walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable. The NHS has further guidance.
If you have questions about safer sleep, contact our information line on 0808 802 6869 or email [email protected].
We will update this page as more advice is available.
Safer sleep guidance
Take a look at our safer sleep advice, that explains the steps you can take to keep your baby safer, reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Coronavirus and caring for your baby FAQs
Although there is no research evidence on COVID-19 and infants yet, we have put together some advice to try to answer some questions you may have.
You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms.
But if you or your child have tested positive for COVID-19:
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over
- Avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test
Plan ahead: it’s a good idea to have a plan if one or more of you become infected; where will you sleep, for example? How will you manage childcare? How will you ensure you still able to follow safer sleep advice?
Yes. There is no evidence showing that the virus can be carried in breastmilk.
If you breastfeed your baby, the following precautions are recommended by Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology:
- Wash your hands following the recommended guidelines before touching your baby, breast pump or bottles.
- Try to avoid coughing or sneezing on your baby while breastfeeding. Have a drink of water and box of tissues within reach. Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues helps prevent the spread of infection.
- Consider wearing a face mask while breastfeeding, if available.
- Follow recommendations for pump cleaning after each use.
It is essential that you closely follow sterilisation guidelines if you are feeding your baby with formula or expressed milk. You must also follow these guidelines for any soothers or teethers that you may give to your baby.
If you have any worries or concerns, speak to your Midwife or Health visitor. Support is available.
Yes. It is recommended to continue with skin-to-skin contact with your baby.
Yes (follow the same advice as the ‘Can I still breastfeed’ section above). If you are expressing breast milk in hospital, a dedicated breast pump should be used.
If you are feeding with formula or expressed milk, sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You should not share bottles or a breast pump with someone else.
UNICEF recommends that if you are too ill to breastfeed you can express milk and give it to the child via a clean cup and/or spoon – all while following the same infection prevention methods as above.
The JCVI has recommended that the vaccines can be received whilst breastfeeding. This is in line with recommendations from the USA and the World Health Organization.
Yes, making sure that you access antenatal and postnatal care when you are pregnant and have a new baby is really important to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby.
It is important that you advise your midwife of any concerns rather than miss an appointment, or attend if you think you may be infected.
If you are unwell, we would advise that your baby sleeps in their own separate sleep place, such as a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you. When your body is fighting an infection, you may sleep more deeply and not be as responsive as when you are well. You may also be taking medication that could make you drowsy.
Even if you are well it is important for you to know that there are some circumstances in which co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous:
- You or anyone in the bed has recently drunk any alcohol
- You or anyone in the bed smokes or the baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy
- You or anyone in the bed has taken any drugs or medication that make you feel sleepy
- Your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or weighed under 2.5kg or 5.5 pounds when they were born.
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Plan ahead: it’s a good idea to have a plan if one or more of you become infected; where will you sleep, for example? How will you manage childcare? How will you ensure you still able to follow safer sleep advice?
We would advise that your partner sleeps somewhere else or you put your baby in their own separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket. If either of you switch to the sofa to sleep, don’t be tempted to take your baby to sleep with you, sleeping on a sofa with your baby increases the risk of SIDS.
If you have a temperature we would advise you to sleep your baby in a separate sleep space. Your increased body temperature may make your baby overheat. Research shows that babies that get too hot have an increased risk of SIDS.
If your baby is unwell with a cold or fever don’t be tempted to wrap them up more than usual. Your baby should be dressed for their environment.
Always seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby – either linked to coronavirus (COVID-19) or any other health issue.
Take a look at the NHS website for advice on looking after a sick child.
If your baby is unwell the Baby Check app has 17 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness and will give a score. If the check gives a low score but you are still worried, you should seek advice from a doctor or NHS 111.
The Baby Check app does not diagnose COVID-19
If your baby is unwell it is important to seek medical attention. Call your doctor or NHS 111. We would advise you to keep all medical appointments, and make sure your baby receives medical attention if you have any concerns about their health.
Advice from Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group
Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy significantly increases your risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or having a premature or unwell baby. Quitting smoking is the most effective way to protect your child from the harms of tobacco smoke.
As a precautionary measure, the government has classed pregnant women as a group at risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Evidence suggests smokers who contract coronavirus are more likely to need intensive care than non-smokers. Smoking damages your lungs and weakens your immune system. This makes it more likely that you will have complications if you get sick and take longer to recover.
Yes. Your midwife should:
- Provide you with information about the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting for you and your baby.
- Refer you to a specialist stop smoking service. This service can provide you with support and advice via telephone/Skype/Facetime and may be able send you stop smoking medications and vouchers in the post.
You can use nicotine replacement products (e.g. patches or gum). Ensure your home is a smoke-free zone and always go outside to smoke. If you are on your own, never leave your baby alone – take them outside in a pram but keep a safe distance between you.
Remember
Being a new parent means you will naturally want to protect your baby, including from getting ill. Follow the THANKS guidelines to help protect them, and let any friends, family or visitors know about them too.
You know your baby best so trust your instincts if you think something’s not right. As babies are more vulnerable to infections, especially when they’re very young, it’s important to get help straight away.
Every baby safe. Every family supported.
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Useful information
Smoking
If you or anybody else in your household smokes while you’re pregnant or after your baby is born, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is much higher.
Baby Check app
Our Baby Check app gives you peace of mind, in your pocket. If your baby is under six months of age, you can use the Baby Check app to find out if they need to see a health professional.