Phone calls whilst breastfeeding - affect on baby's brain

[firsttimemum12345678]

Hi, I suffer with anxiety and have recently been stressing about 'radiation' from a number of lengthy phone calls I had to make to a friend going through something, whilst holding / feeding my baby.

I either used loudspeaker / headphones, but the phone itself would have been on the sofa arm rest just a few centimetres from baby's head whilst in cradle hold.

From research, I know that the waves used for phone calls are 'microwaves' and that therefore, you shouldn't press a phone next to your ear for a long time as it's been shown to heat the head. I know that evidence of any further health risks has been inconclusive and that no tests have been done on infants, for obvious reasons. However on the net it says that a baby's skull is much thinner than an adults, and therefore they absorb much more heat / sustain more damage, which makes sense to me 😞 I've found out also, that the microwaves required for making a call, unfortunately need to be stronger than those needed to use the WIFI, because the waves have to reach the cellular towers miles away, and not just the home router.

Sooo, to finally get to the point, I'm worried that I've damaged my baby's brain as I was distracted and had their head too close to the phone whilst I was calling. For quite alot of time on multiple occasions a

Writing this I know it sounds really irrational but I feel sick all the time thinking about it!

I guess I have 2 questions please -

1. has anyone else done a lot of phone calling whilst holding their baby near to their phone, for assurance that it will all be ok?!

2. does anyone have any health anxiety treatment recommendations / had any success with the free NHS services? It's such a busy time with a newborn (and I have 0 support from family etc) so I don't want treatment to be another thing for the 'to do' list if it's not worth it. I used to pay for it but now I'm on mat leave I can't afford it anymore.

Thank you 🙏🏽

Congratulations on new baby
Your baby is not at risk from a few phone calls with a phone in proximity.
you could take call via blue tooth speaker/headphones and have handset elsewhere away from baby. Anxiety is impacting upon your wellbeing, it is causing you to be preoccupied

regard support ask the Midwife or GP to refer you to IAPT, for therapy. Ask can it be expedited. IAPT can be beneficial

There is absolutely no scientific basis that using a phone near your baby will cause any damage whatsoever. I’m sure you will come across lots of people who think otherwise but there is are facts to back this up. Can you ask for a mental health referral to help with your anxiety? If you’re worried about this now, unless you address it it’s only going to get worse. How will you feel about preschool and all the germ exposure? I think it’s really positive that you have these feelings but are aware they are irrational and want help. You are clearly a great mum, you know there is an issue and you are trying to address it.

I hope you get the support you need, sending you virtual support!

*no facts to back this up

Your baby will be absolutely fine.

Please speak to your gp for some help and support , this sounds really stressful xx

I use my phone around my baby all the time, have never give it a seconds thought and he is fine.