PARENTING A NEW BABY DURING COVID
We spend a lot of time indoors with a young baby and COVID-19 makes it much more intense. It is completely normal to feel isolated, overwhelmed, anxious, and scared for you and your baby.
Sharing is caring
- Use social media, phone calls and anything at your disposal to reach out and connect with others.
- Take turns with others to care for your baby. Take time for YOU.
- Sleep when your baby sleeps so you have energy.
Communicating with your baby
- Follow your baby’s lead by copying or mirroring.
- Repeat and react to their babble or words.
- Use your child’s name when you speak to your baby.
- Use words to describe what your baby is doing.
Learning with your baby
- Make their environment interesting!
- Babies respond to stimulation.
- Let your baby explore the world through the 5 senses!
Babies learn through play!
- Get to your baby’s level and make sure they can see and hear you.
- Play peek-a-boo, sing songs or lullabies, stack blocks or cups.
- Make music together: banging on pots, playing with rattlers, shaking jars with beans .
- Share books together – even at a very early age! Describe what is happening in the pictures. Let your baby explore books with all of the senses.
When babies cry
- Respond to your baby immediately.
- Check to see what is making your baby cry.
- Swaddling or gently rocking can help calm your baby.
- Singing a lullaby or playing soft music can be soothing.
- Keep calm and take a break! You can place your baby in a safe place on their back and then walk away. Be sure to check on your baby every 5 to 10 minutes.
- If you think your baby is injured or ill, call a health service provider or visit a clinic.
Be gentle with your children as they learn, but also with yourself as the parent!
- Just because something didn’t go well today or you lost your temper, this doesn’t define who you are as a parent. Remind yourself of the things you did well today, even if they may seem small. (Adopted from UNICEF)