Although for many people, masks are off and life is getting back to normal, that’s not the case for everyone. The Delta Variant has cases rising again and concern for safety is rising as well. Currently, ages 12 and under have been offered no vaccine. Even worse, children age two and under can’t wear masks for protection. This makes them very vulnerable to the virus. My son was born summer 2020 and I’ve been taking safety measures the entire time to keep him safe. These are some recommendations how to protect your baby from covid-19.
Wear Your Mask
First, parents of the baby should wear masks. I know this sucks! I’ve been masking since March 2020…and it doesn’t get any easier. It’s difficult to breathe at times (especially with asthma and in the hot weather) but, it’s so necessary. On the upside, no one in my household has gotten even a runny nose since masking. Until all the research is out there (right now it’s still changing weekly) and vaccines are available for your child, I would say it’s best to wear a mask. Even if you are vaccinated…your baby is not. Though the vaccine will decrease your chances of getting deathly ill, it does not take away the fact that you can still contract and pass the virus. This is the reason to still protect yourself, so that you can’t get infected and transfer it to your young child.
Keep Your Group Small
Limit the amount of people your baby is around and interreacts with. Yes…this sucks too! This would be avoiding large gatherings where possibility of infection increases. If you don’t need to use a daycare or babysitter, forego this for now. If so, try to find a sitter who is vaccinated and doesn’t mind taking the extra precautionary steps to make you feel comfortable. Try to meet outdoors with family/friends if possible, keeping a little distance. If necessary, you can ask anyone holding your baby to sanitize and wear a mask for that duration. I know, I know it’s a lot. However, if this is your family, they have to understand your concerns as a mom.
Protect Your Baby (Baby Mask)
Whenever possible leave your child at home. This takes away a large chance of infection. If you have to go into several stores…maybe limit the stores he goes into based on how large the crowd is. It’s many times my husband sits in the car while I grab the groceries. Some other options to limit crowded stores is online shopping and order pickup. If you still have to go around a large group of people, use a baby mask. It’s not a real mask of course…because that would cause suffocation. But you can try one of these options. I’ve used these “masks”. They changed as my baby got older and our needs changed.
1.Breathable Baby Car Seat Cover
You’re a happy and proud parent so covering up your baby is no fun. However, this can create a safe space for your child when in stores. If you are taking your infant inside the store in their car seat, a car seat cover is the best option. It’s made of breathable material and because of the car seat handle, the fabric doesn’t lay on your baby’s skin where they can easily become overheated. This is also a great way to keep your baby calm. Your baby can nap without a million distractions.
2. Uppababy Clear Car Seat Sheild
I used this shield next as my newborn became a little more alert. He was happy that I could see him and he could see me. At this age, he was starting to look around more instead of napping all the time. This is a plastic rain shield with large mesh sides for breathability. I wouldn’t recommend it outside because it can be overly warn in the summer heat. However for airconditioned spaces, its great. When your baby’s legs began to hang over the edge of the car seat this won’t work. This was at about 6 months for my son.
3.Toddler Bucket Hat with Removeable Face Shield
I used this hat/shield after my son outgrew the rain shield. It has a detachable face shield. This is a great option when you aren’t around large groups of people. It goes on easy and the tie under the chin keeps it on when your baby wants to pull it off. I felt comfortable with this when most people were masking. This is the most versatile option, as you can hold your baby or use a baby carrier and still keep his hat on. This option is good, but it doesn’t provide complete protection.
A stroller rain cover is my go to option now. It’s very lightweight. As long as my son is dressed for the weather, he does not get overheated in this. I did alter it by cutting it around the sides to make it shorter ( I left the zippers intact). The zippers allow me to keep the cover half open to allow more airflow. I did this to make sure he doesn’t overheat. I haven’t had a problem so far and I’ve been using it for 5 months. The cover has small mesh pockets for air, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable without the adjustments I made. With all of these options, just pay attention to your baby to make sure they are comfortable. Make sure you don’t see any signs of overheating when using any of these options. I am not a doctor or Covid-19 specialist, but I am sharing what works for me.
Here are some Baby friendly Sanitizing Products for Covid-19 Protection:
Babyganics Foaming Pump Hand Sanitizer
Babyganics Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer Wipes
Munchkin Arm & Hammer Pacifier Wipes
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-surface wipes
Seventh Generation Disinfectant
If you have any other options or things you have done to protect your baby from covid-19, please share with us in the comments.
Jeannie
August 12, 2021 at 10:42 amvery helpful! my friend has a baby so we also cant visit very often or be closed to her because of the current virus. your tips are great for everyone dealing with it.
Always lovin' Mama
August 12, 2021 at 11:37 amThanks, I hope soon we all can have family/friend time like we use to.
Enoch at Osperus Digital Marketing
August 12, 2021 at 11:55 amThis is a very informative article on covid-19. Protecting your baby from covid-19 is an ultimate goal for every parent. Also, the products you suggested will make a great difference for mums.
Always lovin' Mama
August 12, 2021 at 7:56 pmThank you for reading!
Barbie
August 13, 2021 at 12:32 pmThis is really important for the protection of our loved little ones. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tips.
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:51 amYour welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Faith
August 12, 2021 at 11:05 amI’m definitely showing this to my cousin she has a baby and this covid hasn’t been easy for her
Always lovin' Mama
August 12, 2021 at 11:38 amI’m glad it helped.
Jasmine E
August 12, 2021 at 5:36 pmThis is great, especially the car seat shield. I’m sharing this with my best friend so that she can buy it for my godson.
Always lovin' Mama
August 12, 2021 at 7:55 pmGreat. Glad it was a help.
Mae Alexis
August 12, 2021 at 6:56 pmYou make some really good points, and I love all the products suggested in this article! Keeping my babies safe from germs was one of my biggest concerns when they were little 🙂 Now they’re 7, 10 & 12. How time flies!!
Andrea Santogrosso
August 13, 2021 at 2:22 amThese are great tips! I really like the h at/shield with the removable face shield. It’s important to protect the very young, especially since they can’t wear masks. Great suggestions!
Lady Chi
August 14, 2021 at 6:44 amCovid has hit me so bad and sadly where I am from we are not even close to getting vaccinated and we have heard of covid cases in children. I have 3 children and have a panic attack for even an innocent sneeze. Thank you for sharing these tips and reminding us to keep our children safe.
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:47 amI am so sorry that Covid has been so bad for you. It’s a nightmare really, especially when you have to worry for your children as well. Stay safe.
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:56 amSo True. Thanks for stopping by.
Natascha
August 13, 2021 at 8:46 amsuch an important topic to talk about! thank you so much for sharing
Lyosha
August 13, 2021 at 1:24 pmvery important these days! Babies need protection especially with new mutations
Risa Lopez
August 13, 2021 at 3:06 pmYes, I agree because it is very important to be safe, if we don’t have important things to do outside, better stay at home to keep safe.
Eric Gamble
August 13, 2021 at 9:34 pmSo this is interesting because our OBGYN said in no uncertain terms to NEVER PUT A MASK on your BABY. But I guess you have to go with what your specific doctor recommends. I will say that the Toddler Bucket Hat with Removeable Face Shield might be fun as you can pretend that he/she is a firefighter or something cool like that to keep them protected without compromising their breathing & growing organs.
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:44 amYes, I noted (under Protect Your Baby) NOT TO USE A REAL MASK on a baby because it will CAUSE SUFFOCATION. None of the options that I suggested are an actual mask. Thanks for your input.
Fransic verso
August 13, 2021 at 11:13 pmGreat tips! Definitely need to refrain a lot of people to interact with the baby for safety. Thank you for sharing
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:50 amThank you.
Knycx Journeying
August 14, 2021 at 5:32 amWonderful! thanks for the tips and they are useful to protect your baby while being able to get them out and socialize, some stimulation and exercises to the baby is important 🙂
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:49 amSo true. Thank you. 🙂
Christianforemost.com
August 14, 2021 at 11:01 amIt’s tought to be a parent of kids these days and i just hope that this pandemic will be over sooner. It just sucks that its still going on. Thank you for this article! Im sure a lot will find it super helpful!
Always lovin' Mama
August 14, 2021 at 11:48 amThanks. I also hope it ends very soon as well.
Renata Green
August 14, 2021 at 2:01 pmWe are living in difficult times. I even don’t want to imagine how it must be with a vulnerable baby….
Always lovin' Mama
August 16, 2021 at 8:28 amIt’s a total bummer. Hopefully things get better soon.
Nkem
August 14, 2021 at 2:58 pmThanks for sharing your tips and useful equipment.
Always lovin' Mama
August 16, 2021 at 8:28 amYou’re welcome, thanks for stopping by.
aisasami
August 14, 2021 at 3:00 pmWonderful tips in protecting our precious ones from COVID. I hope moms and dads see these tips too!
Always lovin' Mama
August 16, 2021 at 8:29 amThank you.
Michele
August 16, 2021 at 1:17 pmI am so glad I did not get pregnant last year or this year. I would NEVER leave the house. I would have to spray disinfect my fiance before he came in the house from work every day. LOL But if I did… I love that people thought of ways to protect our babies.
Always lovin' Mama
August 17, 2021 at 9:03 amYes, its extremely stressful in that scenario. Thanks for stopping by.