Red Nose is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. There is limited information at this stage about the effect of the virus on pregnant women and their babies, and infants and young children.
Red Nose recommends that pregnant women and parents take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus by following the latest advice from the Australian Department of Health.
Advice for pregnant women
Pregnant women and their families concerned about coronavirus should contact with National Coronavirus Information Hotline for advice.
Red Nose recommends that pregnant women and their families practice good hand hygiene:
- wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
- use a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze – or sneeze into your elbow
- avoid social contact with others if possible – try not to touch other people.
Advice for parents of infants, babies and young children
For parents of infants, babies and young children, we recommend following the same advice.
Practise good hand hygiene, and contact the National Coronavirus Information Hotline immediately if your child starts to show any symptoms.
Feeding mothers
Breastfeeding mothers should take all possible precautions by practising good hand hygiene – this includes washing your hands before touching baby, and for those bottle-feeding, make sure you wash all electric pumps, bottles and teats, and then thoroughly clean them after each feed.
Childcare and caring arrangements and the importance of safe sleep
With businesses and schools closing over the next month or as people in your support network need to self-isolate, you may find that you have different people looking after your child.
If this happens, it’s important that they know how to safely care for your child, as well as our six safe sleep recommendations.
A lot has changed in the last 30 years, since your older relatives looked after children.
Ask them to brush up on their safe sleeping skills by following our six safe sleep recommendations, or ask them to watch this special video we have created to explain what has changed and why babies should always to put to sleep on their backs.
Further reading
Australian Department of Health Coronavirus information
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist (RANZCOG)
If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.