Coronovirus - isolate newborns?

[PSL1990]

I'm struggling to find advice for newborns re coronovirus. My due date is imminent, I don't have any coronovirus symptoms but I am self isolating based on the latest advice as a precautionary measure. Does anyone know what the advice will be for my newborn? I know I'm not allowed visitors in hospital but what about when I come home? Thanks

As far as I'm aware babies and children aren't high risk in terms of fatalities, however I'm social distancing and staying home unless absolutely necessary, this includes having no visitors. A lot of my family haven't met DS as he's only 7 weeks old and we live far away but they're all understanding when we've turned down visits and cancelled our visits to them as they wouldn't want to potentially infect DS or us, as well as us not wanting to potentially infect them.

Personally I think at this time it's safest to social distance as much as possible. There will be plenty of time for family and friends to meet your baby and the less we see each other right now the better chances we all have of not getting and spreading the virus.

I think when you go into hospital for the birth, you then need to seek advice. Things are moving quickly and so it is difficult to say what advice will be, even if a few days. I think taking sensible precautions is a good idea. For example, if taking baby to see relatives, you may want to wait until a specific time out of hospital (longer incubation period) if restrictions haven't been placed already. Personally, I would seek advice from the NHS staff while in for the birth and would also discuss how long it tends to take for mothers to strengthen their immune system as well as the risk to newborns. I imagine your hospital will release advice to mums as they come in based around the situation/guidance changing so swiftly.

Someone I know with a newborn has been told to self-isolate for 12 weeks.

I gave birth on Wednesday & asked my midwife in hospital. She said to socially limit, she thought grandparents were OK but say no to everyone else. Its been a really hard decision but we have seen my parents today back home .. they’ve had our older daughter for the last two days so I felt like if they did have it, my daughter would likely catch it & shes obviously at home with us 24/7 now! 🤷🏼‍♀️ My mums high risk & socially isolating anyway..

We are now debating other set of Grandparents.. they live away from us.. they’ve isolated themselves for over a week so they can then travel to see us.. I feel quite torn.

Bear in mind, over a two day stay in hospital, myself, Dad & DD we were looked after by 6 different midwives, several health care staff, a hearing screener & a doctor. All those people went home to families, partners via various forms of transport. Literally impossible to isolate your newborn while giving birth etc! 🤷🏼‍♀️ I think it’s using your common sense. I know both sets of Grandparents have predominantly isolated themselves recently & have no symptoms. But if you know yours are out & about shopping or working etc, potentially not worth the risk!

Don't have any visitors for a few weeks after you come home, let it just be you and husband. Apart from anything else you deserve the peace.

I haven’t been given any firm advice by midwives about my 3 week old but I’m being very cautious. We’re going out for walks but that’s all and not intending on having anyone to the house. My husband is still going to work in London so we’re not without risk but I’m limiting it as much as possible