How to protect your little one from COVID-19? (COVID-19) Let's know these important things!

If you have a baby at home, it's normal to be a little worried about COVID-19 these days. Because we all love our babies and want to take care of them. Especially since the COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been given to babies under 6 months, we need to be especially careful to protect them from this pandemic. So, today, let's talk about what we can do to protect these little ones, our babies, from the COVID-19 virus.

What happens if young children get COVID-19?

Children usually do not develop severe symptoms like adults when they get COVID-19. Sometimes, the virus can be present without any symptoms. However, some babies and young children can have a very difficult time with it. Sometimes, complications can develop weeks after infection with the virus. Although rare, there have been reports of children dying from the disease. Therefore, it is not good to be complacent and think that "children will never get it" or "it will be okay if they do". We should be especially careful with unvaccinated babies under 6 months old.

So, how do we protect these little ones?

This is a very important issue. Since we can't vaccinate our young children, we need to make the environment around them safe. This is called creating a "cocooning strategy." That is, when everyone around the baby is safe, the baby's risk of getting sick is reduced.

1. Everyone in the household must get the COVID-19 vaccine!

This is the most important thing. Everyone in your household aged 6 months and older should definitely get the COVID-19 vaccine. Also, it is important to be "up to date" with your vaccinations. Simply put, this means that you have completed all the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for your age, including the primary dose and any booster doses, if applicable. A person is "up to date" if they have received all the vaccines exactly as your doctor recommends.

Imagine, if all the adults in the house got vaccinated and built up immunity against the virus, even if they got sick, the chance of passing it on to the baby would be much lower.

2. Keep the baby away from people who are sick.

This is also a very simple, but very important thing. Keep your baby away from people with symptoms like fever, cold , and cough as much as possible.

• If someone in the house is sick:If someone in the household is sick, they should definitely wear a mask when visiting the baby. If possible, it is best to keep the sick person in a separate room, but this is not always possible in every household. Therefore, it is important to at least wear a mask and wash your hands frequently.
• Visitors: Be considerate of visitors to your home. Ask them politely if they have been sick recently or have any symptoms. If you are visiting your baby, it is best to come when they are healthy.

3. Wash your hands often and thoroughly! Teach this habit to others in your household too!

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from many illnesses, including viruses. Specifically, you should definitely wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds during these times:

• After going out and returning home: Wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you return from being outside, before touching anything else.
• Before handling your baby: Be sure to wash your hands before holding, feeding, bathing, or playing with your little one.
• When breastfeeding or preparing food/bottles: It is very important to keep your hands clean before breastfeeding, preparing food for your baby , or preparing bottles.
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing: Be sure to wash your hands after these times.
• After going to the bathroom: This is something everyone knows.

How do you wash your hands properly?

Apply soap and scrub your hands, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails . Do this for at least 20 seconds (that's about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice). Then rinse well with water and dry your hands with a clean cloth or tissue.

Teach other people in your household, especially older children, how to wash their hands properly. It's good for everyone's health.

4. Use a tissue or your elbow when sneezing or coughing!

When you cough or sneeze, don't cover your mouth with your hands. That way, viruses get on your hands, and then spread to everything you touch. So, hold a tissue over your mouth and nose. Throw the used tissue in the trash immediately and wash your hands again. If you don't have a tissue, practice coughing or sneezing into your elbow. Teach this to everyone in your household.

5. Maintain good ventilation inside the house!

Ensuring good air circulation inside the home, that is, having good ventilation, is also important for preventing respiratory diseases like the COVID-19 virus.Helps reduce the spread of viruses.

• Keep the windows open: Whenever possible, keep the windows and doors in your home slightly open. This will allow the old air to go out and the new, clean air to come in.
• If you use a fan: If possible, avoid placing it in a window with the wind blowing in. If that happens, the air will just circulate inside the room. If possible, it is better to use one that blows air out (like an exhaust fan).

If you follow these simple steps correctly, you will go a long way in protecting not only your little one, but your entire family from COVID-19.

What to do if your baby shows symptoms of COVID-19?

Young babies may show symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing , refusal to drink milk, excessive sleepiness, and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting. If your baby has one or more of these symptoms, do not panic and seek medical advice immediately. It is best to see a pediatrician. Do not self-medicate. Follow the doctor's instructions.

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so from what we've talked about, it should be clear to you how careful we need to be to protect young babies from COVID-19. In summary:

• Everyone in your household over 6 months of age should get the COVID-19 vaccine and any booster doses. This is the most important way to protect your baby.
• Keep your baby away from sick people. If someone in the household is sick, wear a mask when you are near your baby.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially before touching your baby, before preparing food, and after coming home from the outdoors.
• Use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Maintain good ventilation in the house. Keep the windows open.

By following these small habits, you will gain great strength to protect the health of your beloved pet. Don't be afraid, let's be informed and follow safe methods . Everything will be fine!

` COVID-19, baby, baby safety, Covid vaccine, hand washing, respiratory health, home safety