Omicron: How to take care of newborns amidst the rise in Covid-19 cases
From breastfeeding to vaccinating newborns, everything you need to know about taking care of babies in the middle of the pandemic
Amidst rising Covid-19 cases, it has become imperative to take special care of newborn babies. Since they may not present with the typical pediatric and adult symptoms of Covid-19, it is always safe to take special precautions to protect newborn babies and be alert in case of abnormal behaviour.
Some common measures to prevent Covid-19 in a newborn are social distancing, frequent hand washing before handling a newborn, receiving both shots or booster doses of the vaccine, wearing a mask, adequate and nutritious food should be consumed by the mother and the newborn to enable adequate breastfeeding.
When does the isolation period end?
Ten days after symptoms appear, 24 hours without fever or fever-reducing medication, and other symptoms of Covid-19 are improving. If you are asymptomatic, your isolation period will be over after ten days since you tested positive for Covid-19.
If a newborn has one or more of the following signs or symptoms, they may be early signs of Covid-19 or another disease. In that case, you should contact your healthcare professional.
Follow the routine immunisation policy for healthy newborns born to mothers with suspected or confirmed Covid-19, as with other infants.
Newborns with suspected or confirmed infection should have completed vaccination as per existing policy.
Recently, vaccines have been introduced for older children of ages 15-18 years. There is still time for vaccines in young children and newborns.
We have preliminary reports suggesting that Omicron is less severe than Delta. But it's too early to say whether Omicron is more or less serious. We still do everything we can to reduce transmission in all populations. The best thing for us to do is to protect ourselves. All those who are eligible should get vaccinated. Make sure to take steps to reduce the risk of this virus.
Follow the basics of physical distancing, wearing a well-fitted mask with clean hands, avoiding crowds, improving ventilation where we live and where we work. The biggest factor right now is making sure we reduce your exposure to the virus, no matter what type it is spreading.