Keeping yourself and your family safe (and sane) during the coronavirus pandemic

As we get used to changes to our daily routine, it can feel overwhelming. Kids, work, everyone’s at home – yikes! Thankfully, there’s lots of small steps you can take to keep yourself and your babies safe (and sane), during these uncertain times.

As we learn more about the coronavirus and how it affects children, it is heartening to note that children do not seem to be at higher risk than adults.

We know you’ve heard it A LOT lately, but (pandemic or no pandemic) now is the time to practice social distancing and avoid people who are sick, coughing or sneezing. Stay home if you aren’t feeling well and if at all possible, stay away from family members until you’re feeling better. Take care to cough into your sleeve or elbow if you are feeling sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and encourage little ones to do the same.

If you’re currently breastfeeding your baby, keep going! The same attention to hygiene is crucial for mothers bottle feeding baby. Thoroughly wash and sanitize all bottles, nipples and other feeding equipment in hot, soapy water after each use and allow to air dry. Don’t forget to wipe down high-touch surfaces like sinks, counters and the often missed refrigerator door handle!

Pregnant mamas: We know you’re already dealing with the stress of staying healthy, and concerns of the spread of a new virus are the last thing you need. There are still a lot of unknowns, but at this time, it does not appear that pregnant women are any more likely than the rest of the population to contract the coronavirus. Women who are pregnant should follow the same recommended hygiene precautions—regular hand washing, avoid touching their faces and staying away from large crowds. If you have specific concerns about your risk of contracting coronavirus, contact your healthcare provider. Many OBGYNs are doing telephone appointments as a means to stay connected while avoiding unnecessary exposure. Ask if yours is willing!

The message is pretty clear: stay home. Even if it’s driving you bonkers! Decreasing your social interactions and following your region’s guidelines about social distancing will help stop the spread of the virus. Additionally, staying home helps alleviate the strain on the healthcare system. If you do need to speak with your healthcare provider consider taking advantage of telemedicine services if available in your area. Many pediatricians, OBs, fertility doctors and primary care docs are doing phone appointments right now. Take advantage of the reduced face time.

Help little ones navigate the changes to their normal routine and encourage regular naps and rest time. Put your mind at ease and use the Owlet Smart Sock during naps and for overnight sleep to track baby’s oxygen and heart rate. Keep an eye on baby while they sleep and maybe even get some rest yourself knowing the Smart Sock notifies you if baby needs to be checked on. View a detailed sleep and history report to spot patterns and make adjustments to your child’s schedule to encourage healthy habits.

While we’re all social distancing, take advantage of the increased time at home to establish new traditions with your kids and let your (and their) imaginations flourish. Explore new areas of the house, build an awesome couch fort, or look through old photo albums to keep everyone entertained. Right now, Instagram is rich with ideas on fun activities and ways to keep your little ones engaged.

Remind everyone in your house to practice “good hand hygiene” and wash hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (if you can find it!). Make a game of it with the little ones and wash for 20-seconds or more. In the evening, a super-sudsy bubble bath for baby or toddler is perfect! Take time each day to disinfect high-traffic and high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs, tables, switches, remotes, and bathrooms. And don’t forget the soft items! Launder onesies, swaddles and “lovies” in the warmest possible water a bit more often than you usually do.

In the weeks to come, many of us will find ourselves working from home (argh!) and spending more time together as a family (yes!). And while there’s a silver lining to all the togetherness (Making memories! Witnessing milestones!) there will still be times when you need an extra set of hands to take care of the little ones.

Because we know that coronavirus greatly impacts the older population, don’t ask elderly family members or grandparents to watch baby for the next few weeks. Stay connected with grandma and grandpa over FaceTime or send videos back and forth to share highlights of your day. Use your Owlet Cam to include everyone in bedtime routines. All you need to do is share your login credentials for the Owlet app with grandparents or parents stuck at work, and they can sign on to sing a bedtime song or help read a story before saying goodnight!

There’s a lot going on right now and while it can feel overwhelming, these little actions will help you feel empowered. Lean on your community, social media and online forums for ideas on entertaining little ones, and embrace technology like the Owlet Smart Sock and Cam to keep you sane and get you through these trying times.

Give yourself and your family some much-needed rest and peace of mind with the Owlet Smart Sock. Find the Smart Sock online or in-store at Walmart, Target, Best Buy or BuyBuyBaby.