Looking after your baby during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Looking after your baby during coronavirus (COVID-19)
We know your baby is the most precious thing in the world to you and you’ll do anything to keep them safe. So in the current situation it’s understandable if you’re feeling anxious about their health and wellbeing. But it’s important to remember that current evidence shows that COVID-19 presents a very low risk to babies.
Being a new parent can be hard work at the best of times, but being cut off from your usual support networks makes it especially challenging. So whether you’re getting to grips with breastfeeding your newborn , struggling with colic or sleep or want to know the best way to protect your baby from COVID-19 – we’re here to support you and make sure parenting at this difficult time is as smooth-running as possible.
The latest advice about protecting your baby during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Is it safe to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby if you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)? Are newborn babies at greater risk? Dr Sarah Jarvis answers all your questions about caring for your baby during the coronavirus pandemic.
Based on the latest scientific evidence, Dr Sarah Jarvis shares her reassuring advice and talks through the minimal effects COVID-19 is currently having on young babies. She explains the best way to keep your baby safe and protect them from contracting the virus, including extra precautions you may wish to take if you’re showing any symptoms of COVID-19 yourself.
If you’d like more information about any of the topics Dr Sarah Jarvis covers, please visit the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health website or The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists website where you’ll find lots more advice and guidance.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE
Dr Sarah Jarvis, is a qualified GP and an active medical writer and broadcaster, with a lifelong interest in women’s health.
As well as being the resident medical expert on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show, during the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Sarah Jarvis has been appearing regularly on BBC 1’s The One Show, ITV’s Coronavirus: Q&A and Channel 5 news giving expert advice about all aspects of the pandemic.
Your baby's development, stage by stage
Building a bond for the future
Feeding is the ideal opportunity to bond with your baby, and provides the vital nutrition needed to support their future. As you spend time getting to know each other, you will notice many exciting changes in your baby’s development, from increased alertness to improving their grip and expressing their emerging personality.
Your baby month by month
A growing appetite
Milk has provided them with all the nutrition they need up until now. But your baby’s development will call for more than this over the coming months. As their eyesight improves, they learn to sit up, and their grip strengthens, they’ll require specific nutrients in their weaning diet to support their future health.
Your baby month by month
Pump up their iron levels
Your baby’s enquiring mind and increasing skill set require iron to support cognitive development, at this stage and in the future. As the natural stores of iron they were born with began to run low at 6 months, it is important to ensure that their weaning diet contains iron-rich foods and plenty of variety to nourish them through future stages of development.
Your baby month by month
Baby topics
Top reads on baby
While nourishment plays a vital role in your baby’s physical and mental development, you have the power to shape their emotional wellbeing through the way you live and the loving environment you create for them.
Questions about feeding and nutrition?
Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.
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