Let Mommy Sleep Blog - Overnight Infant Care + Resources

COVID19 Safety Recommendations from an Infection Prevention Specialist

July 21, 2020

COVID19 Safety Recommendations from an Infection Prevention Specialist and Public Health RN, Laura Hegarty-Moore, RN, MPH. Laura us an LMS alumnus and now works at MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, CA, working on the frontlines of the pandemic.

COVID19 Safety Recommendations

Cover your face in public.

First, let’s talk about masks-yes, they ARE effective! Masks, even cloth masks, are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. While hospital-grade masks provide some more protection, cloth masks are sufficient for your everyday encounters out in public. Studies have compared cities that used masks with ones that didn’t and the masks proved effective at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

When should I wear a mask? In any indoor public space, when waiting in line, when getting healthcare, and outdoors if you can’t stay 6ft away from others not in your household.

When can I take off my mask? When engaged in strenuous outdoor work or recreation, when giving birth, when outdoors with those you live with as long as you maintain a 6ft. distance from others not in your household, when driving in your car alone or with those you live with, when eating or drinking, or in your house with those you live with, provided everyone is COVID-19 free. Here’s a country by country comparison of mask wearing as well, updated June 15, 2020.

Gloves and Hand Hygiene

Do not wear gloves in public. This is a big pet peeve for me! The CDC doesn’t recommend routine glove use. Wearing gloves in public actually spreads more germs around on more surfaces, increasing your risk of getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many people studied removed their gloves incorrectly or thought they didn’t need to wash their hands, causing more germs to spread. For example, while wearing gloves at a grocery store, people often touch many dirty surfaces without cleaning their hands in between. Then they reach for their phone and start typing a message. Now the phone is contaminated. The next time you put the phone to your face, it’s covered with all the germs from the grocery store! Ew!

Cleaning your hands frequently and properly is your best defense against COVID-19! Clean with either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel. While handwashing is always preferred because it is the most powerful way to eliminate germs, sanitizer is still very effective. If you’re washing with soap and water, scrub for at least 20 seconds (hum “happy birthday” twice!) making sure to scrub all surfaces- between all your fingers and under your fingernails. If you’re using an alcohol-based hand gel, rub the product between your hands until it’s dry (no time limit on this one!) making sure again to cover all surfaces of your hands.

When should I use soap and water vs. alcohol-based hand gel? Use soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled (e.g. after gardening, playing outdoors, or cleaning up baby puke), after using the restroom, after changing a diaper, before and after preparing or eating food, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

You can use alcohol-based hand gel any time your hands are not visibly soiled and handwashing isn’t an option, such as before and after going to the store, before and after visiting someone in the hospital, and after touching shared surfaces like computers or shopping carts.

Understand Real & Fake News; COVID19 Safety Recommendations from an Infection Prevention Specialist

Don’t spread rumors, and always check your sources. Spreading misinformation is almost as bad as spreading germs! Some good ways to know if a source is legit is to ask yourself these questions: First of all, does this information come from the CDC, the WHO, or another similar guiding organization? They combine all the research to give you the best recommendations. Next, find out- is this a study? Studies are the best source for evidence-based research, and a randomized controlled trial, or RCT, is considered the gold standard. Some click-bait headlines will claim to show you horrifying results of “a new study,” but when you click on it, there’s no real study to be found! Fake news!

Next, if it’s not a study, but an article, check out the author’s credentials. Ask yourself, is this person an expert in the field? Not all doctors specialize in infectious disease, and not all public health professionals are doctors. You want to look for credentials in Epidemiology, Public Health, and/or Infectious Disease. Also, see if there’s any potential bias. For example, if there’s an article on a new drug written by a drug company, you may want to take it with a grain of salt. Lastly, you want to ask yourself- is this material current? Information about COVID-19 has been changing rapidly and you want to make sure what you’re sharing is the most up-to-date.

Testing

Only get tested if you need to. If you have no exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 positive person and no COVID-19 symptoms, you shouldn’t get tested. Exposure is defined as spending longer than 15 minutes with someone, closer than 6ft apart, while one or both of you weren’t wearing a mask. If you meet these criteria or you’re having symptoms, consult your doctor on whether or not you should get tested.

Many people recover at home with no need to be tested and no need for medical intervention, but if you have risk factors; like you are an older adult, you’re pregnant, or you have asthma, you may want to be tested.

Remember, COVID19 is not the only illness out there and working with newborns means we have to be extra vigilant with health and safety. Here are our night nanny and nurses’ tips to stay healthy and minimize exposure to flu, virus and cold germs.

Do you have questions for Laura or our staff on keeping safe throughout the pandemic? We are here to help!

COVID19 Safety Protocols: A Message from the CEO

July 20, 2020

Updated April 13, 2023 – The Public Health Emergency for COVID19 formally ends on May 11, 2023. We know of course that COVID “ended” before this date for many. As restrictions have eased we are no longer quarantining between families or requiring testing unless symptoms present. However, we are continuing to do the following and will continue to update practices as potential health issues evolve with COVID19 Safety Protocols: A Message from the CEO.

What we have always done, and will continue to do:

Handwashing: Caregivers wash hands upon arrival into the family home. We continue hand-washing and sanitizing through the night and before and after all contact with baby.
Vaccines: Following American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC guidelines for healthcare providers, we remain updated on influenza, pertussis (TDaP) and MMR vaccines; illnesses to which newborns are especially vulnerable. As a company, we request proof of these vaccinations, in accordance with the EEOC exceptions for healthcare workers.
COVID Vaccine: 99% of staff are fully covid vaccinated. However there are several caregivers with medical exemption who have not received the vaccine. Families are welcome to have this conversation with us and their caregiver.
Continuing Ed: We provide free continuing education to all staff to ensure we are following the most recent safety, health and care guidelines.
Possible Illness: Staff is kept home at any sign of illness, even if symptoms might be “just allergies.”
Mask: Masks will be used upon the request of family. Caregivers can of course also mask at their own discretion.

COVID19 Safety Protocols: A Message from the CEO was Updated Jan 1, 2022. Yes, we are now all vaccinated including the booster. We understand and respect that some folks have big feelings about the vaccine. As an evidence-based newborn and postpartum care company however, we are following the advice of the CDC, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

previously updated Jan 11, 2021 – Our Nurses and Newborn Care Providers are now receiving the 2nd round of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Mask wearing is still happening to protect families with children who are not old enough to be vaccinated yet.

previously updated- Dec 1, 2020 Here at Let Mommy Sleep we pride ourselves on using the highest vetting and safety practices possible since we began in 2010. As a company dedicated to evidence-based care, we lean on the recommendations of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other primary sources. We believe the statement that vaccines for health care workers are “ethical, necessary and just” to protect vulnerable populations such as newborns and infants.

Coronavirus has caused us to examine and refine our practices even further. While we all wish we weren’t in this sensitive situation we’re proud to have the opportunity to share our safety practices as well as newer covid19 protocols.

In March 2020, when there were still so many unknowns about coronavirus (which we now call COVID19), Let Mommy Sleep voluntarily shut down. Although we are considered an essential service, the risk was too great to our team, families and newborns. Since reopening we’ve implemented new safety practices, in addition to our ongoing protocols:

COVID19 Safety Protocols: A Message from the CEO- What we’ve implemented since covid19: (March 2020-Jan 2022)

All caregivers wear masks, unless family and caregiver are both vaccinated and request not to be masked.
COVID19 vaccinations for all staff when available.
Quarantine following current recommendations.
Routine testing
Routine health monitoring (fever, sense of taste, headache etc.)

What can families and Newborn and Postpartum Care providers do together to minimize coronovirus and illness exposure?

In addition to following CDC recommendations, please leave sanitizing wipes or other household cleaners out for our team to use periodically through the night. We can’t always practice social distancing when caring for babies, but we can mask, handwash and clean, clean, clean!

We remain thankful and privileged to be in your homes.

In solidarity,

Denise Stern

CEO, Let Mommy Sleep

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago

July 8, 2020

updated October 5, 2023 – Now that you’ve got the lay of the parenting land, you’ve probably noticed you’re incredibly busy yet sometimes bored! We hope this blog 50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago can give a inspiration to get out of Groundhog Day or just get out of the house. Our team of certified newborn caregivers and postpartum doulas contributed to these tried and true 50 activities that are also fun for parents and older kids. Whether you’re in Morton Grove, Arlington Heights, Wheeling, Vernon Hills or Evanston, we’ve got something on the list below!

Fabienne gave us some tips and allowed us to get some well needed rest. Our little girl was very comfortable with her as well. Thank you Let Mommy Sleep Chicago!
SZ, Grayslake

Chicago has lots of free and fun activities for babies

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 1-25

Create a pottery keepsake with baby’s hand or footprint at a “paint your own” cafe. This a great sensory activity for infants and toddlers, not to mention a one of a kind grandparent gift.
Blow up balloons and let your infant hit them in the air! Or let the air out to hear that sound that’s sure to make them laugh!
Stroll a garden, zoo or nature center. When they’re big enough, put newborns in a carrier face out so they can take it all in.
Make a video to share with family/friends.
Head to the library…for storytime or open play. This is a favorite among parents and nannies.
Get on your newborn’s eye level for tummy time
Visit a park; babies love to watch older kids, it’s how they learn to play.
Multitasking parents can join a stroller fitness class. You get to socialize, exercise and have your baby nap all at the same time.
Pack a simple picnic. Lay on your backs and marvel at the sky and the leaves. There are so many options in Lincoln Park!
Set up an email address for baby and email photos, memories and messages of love to open when they’re a teenager.
Kitchen dance party! The classic go to for nighttime babysitters and nannies!
Grow a baby-sized garden out of kitchen scraps…it’s very easy and you can do it indoors.
Compose and record a personalized song
Give baby a daytime bath just for fun
Let your solid-eating baby “paint” with baby food, yogurt or squishy fruit…add food coloring for more fun!
Strap baby into a carrier and take a hike.
Put some food coloring into water and let baby mix the colors, or watch you make color changes.
Immerse yourself in baby in the visual beauty of an outdoor sculpture garden
Manipulate some nesting cups or soft blocks
Turn out the lights and play with a flashlight or neon glow sticks. Bonus points for doing it in a small room where your baby can throw them around!
Put Cheerios, beads or rice in an empty water bottle to create your own shaker
Shop at a farmers’ market, try the free samples if your baby has started solids. South Loop Farmers Market is a great option!
Let your infant’s inner artist come to life during tummy time
Give baby a wooden spoon to “help” with cooking meals
Lay under a tree and watch the leaves sparkle

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 26- 50

Enjoy learning a new skill by learning baby sign language for free
Stimulate senses with soft textures and squishy toys
Make a puppet show starring baby!
Look at and talk about photos of friends and family members. This is a baby bedtime routine our postpartum doulas like.
Join your neighborhood MOMS club – it’s only $25-$30 per year and they design paydates with social distance in mind.
Gaze at walls of colorful fish and small animals at a pet store.
Check out a drive in movie...bonus: baby falls asleep on the way so parents get to watch a grown-up movie!
Play ball! Roll a ball back and forth with baby
Watch the sky for airplanes, birds, and helicopters
Take a ride on a kid-sized train…did you know there were so many choices?
Make a reservation to explore the Morton Arboretum. Nature is endlessly fascinating to baby..and adults!
If it’s hard to talk to your baby, just narrate the newborn care you’re doing when changing diapers, swaddling etc.
Let baby shake or bang some musical instruments at home, pots and pans are a classic!
Go camping indoors
Shake a parachute/blanket in different rhythms
Take a historic walking tour with baby in the carrier.
When baby is able to sit up on her own well, give her a ride in a laundry basket!
Visit a sprayground, they are open and deemed safe right now
Blow bubbles and let baby pop them! Bonus points for those super-big bubbles
Play dress up with different hats to make baby laugh
If you can’t get out to classes, bring gymnastics to baby
Step up your nightlight game with an LED projector
Collect flowers or leaves and dry them in the pages of a book
Let baby kick in sand or dirt. Try the beaches near Edgewater!
You can baby fall asleep on you while you’re holding her. Parents, night nannies, nurses and doulas all unanimously promise you’re not creating any bad habits.

How About You?

Are you in the Chicago area and have family friendly and toddler activities to add to this list? Let Erin know on Instagram…she’s a mom of 3 and the owner of LMS Chicago and a resident of Elmhurst, IL! In addition to all this, Erin is an expert in newborn care, postpartum doula support and hiring excellent Night Nurses.

The owner of Let Mommy Sleep Chicago, Erin and her family!

Giving Birth During Covid19: Protocols and Possible Interventions

April 23, 2020

Coronavirus continues to be a threat to the American public. Because of this, giving birth during covid19 in a hospital or a healthcare setting has many expecting parents feeling more anxious than usual. To help parents feel more confident and in control, common labor and delivery interventions are detailed below including coronavirus protocols. If interventions happen, parents and support people will know exactly what’s happening and why. Knowing the facts help us make informed decisions, and this blog Giving Birth During Covid19: Protocols and Possible Interventions can help you be prepared.

We will continue to update this blog as more information becomes available.

Whether opting for a natural birth or an epidural, it can be helpful to understand the basics of medicines that may be administered during labor. Knowing the terms doctors and nurses use , and understanding the effects of potential interventions can help parents can feel comfortable. Decision making can happen quickly, especially if there are unexpected changes.

Below is an overview of medications, protocols and interventions that may be used during labor and birth.

Giving Birth During Covid19: Protocols and Possible Interventions

As coronavirus continues, many hospitals are now implementing stricter rules on their maternity floors. Each hospital is different so it’s important to understand your hospital or birthing center’s specific procedures but we do know that in almost every hospital, everyone should be prepared to wear masks even during labor.

Many hospitals are also implementing either a 1 visitor rule, meaning that birth moms can have 1 designated person supporting them through labor and delivery. The support person cannot change through mother’s entire stay in hospital. If it’ your sister who brought you to the hospital, it must be your sister who stays as your “plus 1” during all of labor and delivery. The support person can come and go, but cannot change. Generally, no children under 18 are allowed to visit at all during this time.

One thing to remember is that maternity wards are typically in a completely different, secured section of the hospital to minimize exposure risk of coronavirus and other illnesses to families and newborns. Coronavirus protocols are in place to protect families in a place that is considered safe to begin with. Epidurals, Anesthesia and Spinal Blocks

An epidural is the local anesthesia administered just outside the membrane that surrounds your spinal cord and spinal fluid. Epidurals are the most common pain relief for laboring mothers. While there are differing opinions on the effect epidurals have on baby, they are overwhelmingly considered safe for baby’s health. There are reports of babies born to moms who have had epidurals taking longer to get into position for birth, since the epidural also travels to the baby through the umbilical cord.

Temporary side effects of epidurals are heavy shivering, a ringing of the ears, backache, nausea or difficulty urinating. These are also considered harmless to mom and baby. Because they are used to dull the intense sensations of labor, an epidural may also slow contractions.

Spinal Block– A spinal block is a type of regional anesthesia, where the body is numb from the belly down. This is the intervention used for c-section birth since it means that mother cannot move, or feel any sensation.

General Anesthesia Use of general anesthesia is extremely rare, but we’re including the term so parents will know the difference between general and regional anesthesia. General anesthesia means being completely asleep. (An example of when general anesthesia would be appropriate is if birth needed to be induced due to a traumatic car accident- again, very rare). Regional anesthesia again, is being numb in just one area (region).

Because the body is numb from the belly down with anesthesia, a Foley catheter will be inserted into the bladder to drain urine.

Giving Birth During Covid19: Protocols and Possible Interventions

Oxygen

Oxygen, administered through an oxygen mask to laboring moms helps mother deliver oxygen to baby. The oxygen mask might be given if baby’s heart rate is dropping due to fetal distress during labor. This can be scary but the good news is that giving oxygen is common and has no adverse effects.

Pitocin

Pitocin is a synthetic version a natural hormone called Oxytocin. It’s a stimulant commonly given to induce or strengthen contractions. It may be given after an epidural because the epidural has slowed labor. It may also be given after birth to ensure mother does not hemorrhage to help the uterus contract back to its non-laboring state. Pitocin is generally considered safe,, potentially causing unnecessary problems during labor and early breastfeeding.

Common side effects of Pitocin may include nausea, stomach pain and runny nose or sinus pain. Rare side effects may include confusion, slurred speech and headache. The doctor must be notified immediately if any of these are present.

When Pitocin is administered, Labor & Delivery nurses watch to be sure that contractions are not occurring too severely or too frequently. These types of contractions can cause uterine rupture, meaning that the uterus tears creating a danger to both mother and baby. There is typically a 1:1 nurse to mom ratio when Pitocin is administered. This ensures the laboring mom and baby are safe and monitored correctly.

Giving Birth During Covid19: Protocols and Possible Interventions – Pain Management

Percocet is the most common medication given to help mothers with pain management after delivery. It is an opioid. Most opioids are not advised for nursing newborns, so when possible, sticking to NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) for pain relief is preferred.

For a cesarean or difficult vaginal birth, Percocet is appropriate to help with the high level of pain.

If the goal is to nurse right away, the best thing to do is to nurse before Percocet is administered. If it’s decided that nursing on demand is okay on Percocet, the main thing to do is to watch baby for marked drowsiness. For a full term, healthy baby there will be side effects like sleepiness, but no lasting effects.

You may also choose to pump while Percocet is in your system and save the milk. Baby’s 6 months or older can drink the pumped milk without any danger. Once baby is past the newborn phase, the effects of opioids decrease.

If early formula supplementation is chosen so that opiods don’t travel to baby, it is still extremely possible to still have an exclusive breastfeeding relationship.

Blood Pressure Control and Gestational Hypertension

Preeclampsia, also sometimes called toxemia, is high-blood pressure in pregnant women. It can become very dangerous and even fatal if left untreated. Treatment for preeclampsia is administration of Magnesium Sulphate, also called “Mag.” Mag keeps Preeclampsia from advancing to Eclampsia, which manifests as seizures. If given magnesium sulphate it’s perfectly normal if birthing moms feel too sick to nurse right away.

Hypertension meds like Procardia or Labetalol are beta-blockers that may be prescribed to keep blood pressure down. These do not affect nursing of healthy full-term newborns.

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This blog was written under the direction of present and former Let Mommy Sleep Labor & Delivery and NICU Registered Nurses. As always though, the primary care physician and L&D staff are the authority on care.

Advice for New Parents from Author Kristina Schnack Kotlus

April 15, 2020

Advice for New Parents from Author Kristina Schnack Kotlus, author of I Quit: Facing Cancer with Faith, Family and Friends. Written by a brain cancer survivor, I Quit provides strength and encouragement to individuals struggling with cancer from the perspective of someone who has experienced it firsthand. Candidly sharing her experiences with chemo, radiation, and doctors, Kotlus outlines how her faith and family directed her cancer journey, and how she maintained a positive attitude in the midst unfortunate circumstances.

I Quit: Facing Cancer with Faith, Family and Friends encourages patients with a positive Christian message to choose joy and choose peace in the midst of cancer’s turmoil. Filled with raw, honest emotion balanced with humorous anecdotes and encouraging words of wisdom, I Quit features themes of determination and resilience that will inspire those diagnosed with cancer to keep fighting, and push through their diagnosis.

Given her unique perspective, we asked the author her advice for new and expecting parents.

Having been through so many unpredictable ups and downs, what’s your advice to expecting and brand new parents just starting their family journeys?

I am going to give you two:

First, you will NEVER regret the time you spend with your babies, so don’t let anyone tell you that you should feel bad if you take an extra week before you go back to work or if you work from home every time their daycare is closed. I opted to stay home with my children, and am still home with them because we homeschool, and looking at possibly not making it out of brain surgery alive, I regretted many things, but my time with them was not one.

Second, listen, stuff happens, and as a parent one of your jobs is to provide your children with as much stability as possible, even if you can’t be there.

Get a will. Select the people that will take your child if the unthinkable happens, and make sure you ask them if they’re willing to do it. Our will has so many if/then statements that we have 5 people listed to take our kids in order of who we want first. Saving for the future is important, but make sure you have a saving for now- try to get to 3-6 months of living expenses saved up so that if you are sick or injured, or your child is, you won’t have to panic. I know that’s hard, and you don’t have to do it TODAY, just start working towards that goal.

Curious to know your thoughts on coronavirus, having literally faced down cancer twice…what do you think of the public response?

They typically estimate 1,735,350 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 609,640 people will die from the disease each year, but despite the likelihood of that, I don’t really see people in a frenzy to get checked or change their lifestyle if they are smokers, etc. But the big thing for me is that my whole approach is to chose faith over fear, so I really want to encourage people to do what they CAN do, like wash their hands, or make arrangements to stay home if their immune system is compromised, and then let go of the future outcome.

Your fear and worry cannot change what will happen, so let that part go- which is all part of my “I Quit” philosophy. Also, stop hoarding the toilet paper, because we’re going to run out soon!

More about Advice for New Parents from author Kristina Schnack Kotlus

Kristina Schnack Kotlus is a brain cancer survivor. She has a degree in Comparative Religion from George Mason University by way of Holy Cross College. She was baptized a Lutheran, currently attends an Assemblies of God church, and is married to a non-practicing Jew. Her writing has been published in numerous local magazines and newspapers. Kristina was recognized as Blogger of the Year in Northern Virginia, 40 Under 40 in Northern Virginia, and an Influential Woman in Prince William County. She currently resides in Manassas, Virginia, with her husband and three children, who she homeschools.

If you are a blogger, author or expert with a perspective on newborn care or parenting to share with our audience, please let us know!

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