Most COVID-19 infections have been among adults, but children of all ages are susceptible to the virus. In many cases, children have had little to no symptoms while infected, but there are also those who have become critically ill.
Children under two years old are unable to wear masks since they make it more difficult for them to breathe with their smaller airways. They also aren’t approved to get the vaccine yet, so it’s important to protect them in other ways.
Proactive Measures to Keep Your Child Covid-Free
- Make sure everyone in your household who is eligible to get the vaccine and booster shots, does so. That way, you protect yourself and your family with the antibodies you’ve built up and minimize the chance of bringing the infection into the house.
- Constantly wash your hands and frequently touched surfaces around the house, such as TV remotes, light switches and doorknobs, to maintain a germ-free environment.
- If you’re out and about with your baby in a carrier, place a blanket over the carrier, but make sure it doesn’t touch the baby. This acts as a shield from germs since the baby can’t wear a mask.
- If you do become ill, wear a mask around the house and avoid contact with the little one until you recover; COVID quarantine typically lasts five days.
Spot the Symptoms
The most common symptoms of COVID include fever, cough, skin discoloration, nausea, chills, extreme fatigue, and nasal congestion. While that may sound eerily similar to the symptoms of a cold or flu, there is one symptom unique to COVID: complete loss of taste and/or smell.
If you think your child has COVID-19, call their pediatrician immediately and make sure your child practices social distancing to prevent further infection. Good news is, COVID-19 can be treated at home if the symptoms aren’t too severe. Treat the virus like the flu; make sure your little one rests up, keeps hydrated and takes acetaminophen, or Tylenol, if necessary.
If you’re a vaccinated mom-to-be, your antibodies are passed along to your baby in the womb. A study done by New York University’s team at Langone Health, found 100% of infants with vaccinated moms gave them protective COVID antibodies at birth. Nearly the same goes for breastfeeding. It’s also 100% safe to breastfeed your baby if you test positive for COVID-19 — it’s actually encouraged. The antibodies built from your breastmilk are transferred to your child. However, if you contract COVID-19 and are actively breastfeeding, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before touching your baby and wear a mask to provide further protection.
If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 and your little loved one, contact the skilled gynecologists at Adriatica Women’s Health. Our team of highly capable OB/GYNs are dedicated to answering your questions and making sure you have a smooth postpartum life. Call (972)542-8884 for an appointment or complete the form on our contact page.