New babies and new Mothers at risk

[babybabyowl]

DD is coming up to six weeks old. All baby clinics and health visitors checks were put on hold ten days ago.
DD immunisations have been cancelled as has my six week check up.
DD is having some issues with vomiting after feeding but I can’t get her weighed (scales at home won’t work - I’ve tried) so I don’t know if she is gaining weight.
I understand that there are reasons behind closing services but it worries me that no one is physically checking on vulnerable newborns and that post partum Mothers are not being checked. Particularly in current circumstances when post partum depression risks must be increased.

That is terrible. The surgery here is still doing 6 week checks and immunisations, and health visitors are still contactable via phone. You are right, something was picked up at my 6 week check that I hadn't noticed, and as you say for vulnerable mums and babies this is going to be really dangerous :( DS has the same issue with vomitting after a feed, is it just a little bit or projectile like? Are you FF or BF? Not that any of us can truly advise, but someone might be able to help. We found he was bringing up just a little after each feed, and it stopped after a few weeks.

Are the scales not working because they are digital and she is too light? If so, try holding her and weighing both of you together, then weigh yourself and then deduct one from the other to get her weight.

Also, DS used to vomit loads. He would do a big one at least once a day which would drench whoever was holding him, and also small ones frequently. But it's fine as long as their weight doesn't drop much and it does eventually stop. If any tip above about weighing you and your DD together doesn't work, could you get hold of another set of scales to be delivered?

Panic - thank you for the advice I will try that when she wakes up from her nap.
Marieo - She’s been sick quite a bit - more than posseting and is breastfed.
Makes me nervous that no professional is checking on her.

You can weigh her my weighing yourself they weigh yourself again holding her. She may have reflux. Breast milk is good for reflux. Try feeding with her upright and/or keeping her upright for 20 mins after a feed. Dummies help reflux babies. Mine had silent reflux so I didn't have the vomiting, my hv didn't know anything about silent reflux and it was missed in the hospital (3 day stay) so I read ALOT of info.

Your title for the thread is quite misleading to be honest- you and your baby are not At risk and many of the steps you describe are to rescue your risk.
Health visitors going into multiple households who may be carrying the CV and then your home to see your baby is a risk.
Your baby having a reaction to immunisations would require medical attention- possibly at hospital- putting her at risk. She won’t be going anywhere or seeing anyone so her risk of any non CV disease is low.
Unless you have any issues- for which you can still contact your GP of serious, your six week check up is just a courtesy call tbh. Again less risky to avoid non essential contact with ANY medical professional.

Most babies puke- if she is alert and not dehydrated she is probably fine. Babies don’t need weighed daily or even weekly- her alertness and demeanour will tell you she has enough. NHS breastfeeding support should still be available via phone or some places are video calling so give them a try.

Sadly yes people will be struggling mentally at this time- but the realistic answer is there is further risk to have any non urgent Contact with ANY health professionals. Having a baby is NOT a medical procedure and is a natural event which doesn’t need checked up on after really- we have medicalised birth and newborn phases as normally that’s for the greater good and it’s NICE to have support but not essential. Newborns are not “vulnerable” in the current scenario and safer being out of the loop to be honest. Speak to your partner about your very Normal anxieties but please realise they’re actually preventing your risk of CV19 being higher.
It sounds like you’re doing a great job tbh so try to relax and enjoy your new baby.

Immunisations / HV / GP appointments haven’t been cancelled here. Have you called your GP for clarity? Advice is changing constantly. It’s possible they have been moved baby appointments to a different clinic

Grumpy - all clinics have definitely been cancelled (they called me as I had an appointment booked, they are not resuming until 4th April) and I’ve had a letter about immunisations not going ahead. I have a phone call with the health visitor next week but they are not seeing people face to face. GP is also only doing appointments via phone (not sure if this is a triage and they will see you after) but had a text from GP saying this

Sorry 14th of April

Isadora - There is a reason we have checks in place for new babies and mothers. I don’t think I am being overally anxious that these are not in place for current babies and new mothers. I also don’t think my title is misleading - I wasn’t talking just about myself but a whole cohort (potentially) of new babies and mothers.
Whilst I am aware that there is a current risk of Covid-19 and we are staying at home for that reason/not seeing health professionals unless necessary, other life and risk still goes on so to ignore that completely concerns me. Again not just for me but for those as a whole.

Breastfed babies can projectile vomit up a whole feed, usually due to air behind the feed, so don’t worry too much and make sure you wind her, you can stop half way through, sit her up and wind her, then feed again. Both my dds would bring up a lot of milk every now and again. They didn’t posset much, just the occasional full feed coming straight back out.
As long as your baby is having enough wet and dirty nappies, then enough is going in, and you can see if a baby is gaining weight and looking healthy , alert when awake, active leg kicking etc.
Agree you can weigh both of you together if it helps you not worry.

I would ring your GP surgery and query the letter you have been sent about immunisations. They should still be going ahead. A lot of routine things have been cancelled but the way they are deciding this is does the risk outweigh the benefit. Not immunising a baby is making it more at risk of picking up other illnesses so they should definitely be doing them. Don’t rely on the letter, speak to someone and keep calling until they are arranged. Then you discuss the other matters as well x

I agree - there is some evidence to suggest one of the vaccines given at 6 weeks may protect babies from the worst of Covid. So it’s a bit shocking that they have been cancelled.

Keep an eye on nappies and make sure they are wet.

I’ll give the GP a call to check about immunisations. I’m also speaking to the health visitor next week so can double check with her too.