Everyday we are getting a new peak in Coronavirus cases in India. Last year, children were less affected whereas this year it has been seen many children are getting infected. The second wave of Coronavirus has also proven very dangerous for children. A senior consultant-paediatrician of Fortis Hospital, Dr Jesal Sheth, says children are reported to have mild symptoms or of being asymptomatic and super spreaders. (Source: Indian Express). Therefore, it is necessary for we parents to educate our kids and keep them safe from getting infected. Here are some recommendations that can be followed to minimize the risk.
As the coronavirus pandemic starts, we have learned about the virus and the rules how to protect ourselves from it. Key rules include:
Social distancing
Wash hands and sanitize frequently
Wear a mask.
Read here: How To Boost Immunity In Babies?Tips to keep children safe from Coronavirus
No outdoor playtime- Encourage your kids to play indoors, I know it may be hard, but still it is good for them and the society till the pandemic is in peak. You can distract your kids with some interesting indoor games. Organize some indoor games or fun activities may be any science experiments and enjoy the moment with your kids. You can also arrange virtual meetings on video calls for your kid, and encourage them to stay indoor.
Maintain social distancing- Incase you are going out for any necessity, educate your kid to maintain social distancing. Younger kids do not understand and do not follow the rule of social distancing, in such times, parents need to be alert. Do not leave your kid unattended when you are in a crowded place.
Wear a mask- If your baby is above 2yrs of age, encourage your kids to wear a mask (Babies below 2 years are not advisable to wear masks because of safety issues). Coronavirus spreads through droplets of infected people, therefore masking up your mouth and nose is necessary in order to protect yourself. Make sure your kid is wearing a mask properly and not below the nose when going outside or in a public place.
Restrict unnecessary visitors- Refrain from coming in contact with visitors, unless necessary. Since coronavirus is invisible and you might not be sure who is infected or not. Therefore, it is advisable to stay vigilant and cautious.
Avoid touching unnecessary things outside- Educate your child not to touch unnecessary things when going out like lift gates, staircase handrails, door knobs, etc. When you are out with your toddler and kids keep an eye to them with their activity. If they touch anything immediately sanitize their hands with sanitizer.
Wash and sanitize your kid’s hand- Make your kid practice to wash their hands frequently. Also, if coming from outside, washing hands is a must. If left unattended, the kid may touch eyes, nose and face with dirty hands. To avoid that make sure your child wash their hands regularly.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and face- Educate your kid not to touch eyes, nose and face which will help them from not getting infected.
Masks are not for babies and infants
Masks are not for babies below two year of age. Here are some of the reasons which describe why masks are risky for babies
Increase risk of suffocation
Breathing through mask is harder for babies due to smaller respiration airways
No N95 mask are suggested for babies below two years
Toddlers will try to remove the mask frequently and touch faces more often
For infant protection, it's better to avoid public gatherings or going outside unnecessarily. Face shields can be worn by babies. These days face shields with caps are coming for infants. They are safe then masks. You can buy face shields for your baby online.
Click here to buy Baby Face Shield
Infants Protection From Coronavirus
Avoid unnecessary public exposure, if going out maintain six feet distancing.
Frequent hand wash and sanitization before touching babies.
Sanitize babies' stuff like bottles, cot railing, pacifiers, toys, etc.
Teach toddlers to avoid touching their eyes and faces.
Some tips for Parents: Home hygiene
Disinfect high-touch surfaces with alcohol based sanitizer to reduce any infection at home.
Clean and sanitize the tables, chairs, doorknobs, door handles, handrails, remote, switch, balcony sliding door opening button, etc. frequently.
Use a dustbin with airtight lids to avoid any kind of infection.
Always remove the shoes outside the house. If possible have two sets of shoes or slippers one use strictly for outside and one use inside the house.
Always eat freshly made foods and do not forget to wash/sanitize the food items before storing and consuming them.
Hope this article helps you to get some important safety measures to protect your babies and toddlers from getting infected from coronavirus. Do subscribe to Moms Review Pad for more babycare, pregnancy and postpartum care articles. Also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more such interesting posts.
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