7 Ways to protect your baby from Coronavirus

As a parent, how scary are these times ? Schools are shut, playdates are impossible and forget about going to the park. You are cordoned off in the 4 walls of your own house with your family which includes a just born, or even a toddler perhaps. Some of us have older ones and we are worried about them. As parents, this situation makes us feel helpless as we struggle to keep the babies entertained with the absence of free play while keeping them safe.

From what is known of the Coronavirus, those with weak or immature immune systems are at higher risks. This includes the elderly and the young ones. How do you protect your baby from Coronavirus?

Medical researchers are  working furiously to find a vaccine for COVID 19 and the best way to avoid contacting through avoiding social contact and distancing. This is a disease that spreads mainly through contact with a person who has it in their system. It may be through a cough, sneeze or even minute droplets from the personal mouth. Surface contact and spread is also part how the COVID 19 virus spreads.

With no vaccines discovered yet, medical practitioners across the world and WHO are advising frequent hand hygiene regimes at all times. 

If you have a small baby at home, you surely may be careful about not letting people touch your baby’s face and will be avoiding any social gatherings too to keep her protected. So in this COVID 19 pandemic, how do you manage to take care of your newborn baby ?

Babywearing is one unconditionally safe way to keep your baby safe and protected from the novel CoronaVirus and other infections of the world. Babywearing boosts your baby’s immune system in simple ways –  Some simple obvious reasons are

BABY GETS MORE REST
When worn on your body, your baby is more likely to take naps faster and often. And getting more rest will ensure your baby’s immune system gets a good boost. Wearing your baby close to your body helps regulate a newborn’s heartbeat, temperature and breathing patterns especially during phases of cold, flu or fever. Babies recover their health, faster and more easily from most infections with adequate rest and sleep on your body.

AIDS BREASTFEEDING
Babywearing encourages breastfeeding due to proximity of the baby to the mother’s breasts which boosts the milk supply naturally and gives baby unrestricted access to frequent nursing feeds. Breast milk is proven to be full of antibodies, proteins, digestive enzymes, and probiotics which are helpful for the baby’s immunity. Breast fed babies are able to fight infections and any illness faster than bottle fed babies. And wearing a baby just takes this to another level.

But is it safe to breastfeed baby if you are sick ?
This is one of the most common questions that pop up if your baby is in the nursing phase and you catch a bug. Your baby will not catch the infection from you through your breast milk, and will in fact will recieve antibodies and an immunity boost to fight that infection instead. So be it a cold, fever, flu or even diarrhoea just keep nursing while observing necessary precautions on hand hygeine and physical contact. However, being sick and nursing will be an exhausting few days.

DEAL WITH INFECTIONS BETTER
Babywearing in an ergonomic carrier places babies in an upright position at all times and it allows cold or ear infection fluids to drain away sooner while keeping the nasal and ear passage clear of congestion. With your baby’s natural immunity being boosted already due to close contact with the parent, you and baby are a team against infections and the flu !

STRESS LEVEL IN CONTROL
Babies being worn in the right type of carriers and being held soothes them. Being held close and with all their survival needs addressed, babies are assured and comforted. Without regular physical contact from a caregiver, babies may experience distress and may have elevated stress hormone levels which are associated with negative effects on infant brain development. 

HANDS FREE
With your two hands free, you are more likely to focus on your baby’s cues and immediate needs.Your mind is at ease knowing your baby is safe, while the baby is happy being close to you all the time. You can monitor the baby easily if she shows any display of infection and also deal with it quicker. You are also more hands on and alert in practicing precautions advised for preventing COVID 19 with baby secure and safe on your body. You are more ready to take on the tasks lined up for the day like housework, homework, exercising and even handling older kids.

STRANGER DANGER
Babywearing keeps strangers and neighbours away from touching your baby as they are held in a baby carrier close to your body. A worn baby becomes an extension of you and are held in your personal space which people may not want to enter without permission. The carrier acts like a visual barrier between them and baby with their body being covered with the carrier. This is a great deterrent for unwanted cheek pulls and cuddles.

KEEPS GERMS AWAY
Babies are magnets for germs and dirt. Discovering their new world by touching and feeling everything is a natural curiosity for babies and cannot be discouraged however much you may try. But all these surfaces carry germs and these germs go onto their little hands and then enter their mouth. Coronavirus has the same transmission process. COVID 19 spreads through personal or surface contact and this is one thing, babywearing helps you keep at bay. Whether you are at home or out shopping for essentials and stocking your grocery supply, your baby is kept safe from all the publicly accessible shopping carts, high chairs or even toys that are having germs on them.

And with all these reasons in line, clearly, babywearing is the path of least resistance for taking care of a baby in a fuss free easy way especially during these times of the CoronaVirus pandemic. Babywearing is especially advantageous during these difficult times of the COVID 19 lockdown in India and in some countries across the world. It is one of the best ways to put your own mind at ease and experience happy hormones surging through you all the time, knowing your family is safe and taken care of well. With your baby being taken care of, maybe you can even Marie kondo that overwhelming wardrobe, long overdue ! Now’s a good time.

If you are new to babywearing and not sure where to start, feel free to call us on  +91 9820464558 and we will help you make the right choice of carrier for your baby. Want to read some more ? Go to our other articles about baby carriers here.