Setting Visitor Boundaries to Keep Your Baby Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Having a new baby in the house can feel a bit daunting in typical times, let alone during a pandemic. In the “before times” you likely had planned on friends or relatives helping you after your infant was born; now, that idea may not feel safe. So how to get the help you need while keeping your baby safe--and yourself sane--during these unprecedented times?
Important for your family’s health
Setting boundaries with visitors isn’t just a good idea--it is important for the health of you and your family. Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve established stringent safety guidelines to minimize the chance of contagion and keep Atlanta families well. Here are the guidelines specific to postpartum visiting that we practice every day, and that we recommend during COVID-19. Like all aspects of parenting, you need to decide what is best for your family and your individual circumstances.
Opt for no visitors, limited visitors or virtual visitors. Obviously, visitors who are not feeling well, showing any signs of illness or working in a public medical space where chance of contagion is high should be restricted.
Thoughtfully consider who you most want and need in your home: Who can offer you the most support during these early weeks and months? Who will willingly do some laundry, prep a meal for you, unload your dishwasher, hold baby while you shower or nap (always wearing a mask, of course)? This is the type of visitor you want in your inner circle right now--not someone who is coming to be entertained. Decide whether to invite the children in your life, who don’t understand the importance of social distancing.
Space out visitations. Decide on no more than one person a day or every other day or once a week, whatever feels best for you. Give yourself permission to adjust this decision based on how you feel on a given day. You have no obligation to welcome visitors if you’re not up to it!
Ask potential visitors what they are doing in their daily lives to promote safe COVID practices. If their answer doesn’t feel safe to you, you get to decide whether they are allowed to visit in-person. You could request that they quarantine for two weeks before visiting, per CDC guidelines, or that they take a rapid COVID test before visiting. (Even if they test negative, the CDC advises a 14-day quarantine before visiting.)
Designate a handwashing station. Remind visitors to wash hands vigorously for 30 seconds immediately upon entering the house and don a mask, covering nose and mouth.
Have a few disposable masks and hand sanitizer available in various areas of the house in case visitors forget to bring one.
Fresh air is important for babies and parents. Spend time outside, following best safety practices (social distancing, having baby covered with a stroller canopy or wearing baby facing you).
We can help!
If your visitors don’t meet the safety standards you’ve set, we can help! Our postpartum doulas follow our COVID-19 safety guidelines to a T. We are experienced, knowledgeable, skilled in infant care and behavior--and we offer a nonjudgmental, compassionate listening ear. Contact us to line up the support you need to care for yourselves and stay safe.
