The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it new challenges for families worldwide. We would like to be your partner in parenting by providing you reliable information to keep your baby safe. Below are some of the frequently asked questions.
Like everyone else, babies may catch coronavirus from anyone infected with the virus, even if that person does not feel unwell. The virus is transmitted by droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, or by contact when a person touches an infected surface and then touches his eyes, nose or mouth.
Hand hygiene is important for ALL household members
Wash your hands thoroughly
before touching your baby, breast pumps or bottles, and
after nappy changes and contact with other members of the family
Follow pump cleaning recommendation after each use
Sterilize milk bottles before each use
Clean high-touch surfaces like baby's cot, diaper changing table, wash basins, etc. regularly
Avoid coughing or sneezing on your baby whilst feeding or holding him/her
Minimize baby's contact with people other than primary caregivers and keep a distance of at least 1m away from them (preferably 2m)
Avoid bringing your baby out of the house except for healthcare visits; important healthcare visits not to miss include those for jaundice checks, vaccinations, development checks, and follow up scans/blood tests as recommended by baby's doctor
No. Infants and children below 2 years old should NOT wear masks or any cloth face coverings. This is because:
Using a mask on a baby may increase the risk of suffocation.
Older infants or young toddlers are not likely to keep the mask on and will likely try to remove it, as well as touch their face more.
No. Regular soap with water is enough to wash away most germs including coronavirus. However, as babies' skin is more sensitive, you may wish to use gentler soaps without added fragrance.
If you develop symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, or loss of sense of smell or taste, please see a doctor as early as possible; this applies to all other people in the same household.
If you feel unwell, ask another caregiver who is well to feed your baby with expressed breastmilk. If this is not possible, wear a face mask whilst feeding or holding your baby, especially if you have the symptoms listed above.
Continue to practise meticulous hand hygiene and care when expressing your breast milk including ensuring that the outer surface of the breast milk container is clean.
Some possible symptoms a baby with coronavirus may have include:
Fever (≥38°C) or low temperature (<36°C)
Cough or runny nose
Not interested in feeding, or only feeding for shorter periods or smaller amounts than usual
No wet diapers for > 8 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea
Very sleepy or floppy
Irritability or being difficult to settle
Please consult a doctor if your baby shows any of these symptoms.
If your baby shows any of the following signs, call 995 for an ambulance right away:
Breathing difficulties. This includes:
Fast breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute)
Strained breathing (sucking in underneath or between the ribs)
Noisy grunting
Shallow breathing or pauses in breathing
Any change in colour (very pale, blue or dusky)
Regular jerking of the arms and legs like a fit
MOH updates on the COVID-19 local situation: https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
Health Hub: https://www.healthhub.sg
