Early parenting inevitably feels like “Groundhog Day”. In addition to breaking up the feed-change-sleep grind, an outing can build parents’ confidence! Around week 8, when babies begin to be more wakeful for longer periods, parents may wonder what to “do” with baby. What do I do with my baby? Or what activities are stimulating to for my little one? The answer is that your baby is interested in everything! Even simple activities, like sitting on the porch listening to birds is an activity. 50 Things to Do with Babies During the First Year, gives ideas of everyday activities that we hope baby -and you- will enjoy.
In the age of social media where every baby seems to be living their best life on camera, it can be tempting to think that every outing and activity should be an event. Remember that your baby is your biggest fan and even simple activities will be met with interest and curiosity!
50 Things To Do With Babies During the First Year
50 Things To Do with Babies During the First Year
A Word About Screens
According to KidsHealth.org, “toddlers 18 months to 24 months old can start to enjoy some screen time with a parent or caregiver” and by ages 2 and 3, it’s “OK for kids to watch up to 1 hour a day of high-quality educational programming.” Little ones should be monitored by an adult who can reinforce the lessons shown in this programming. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day. The exception to these rules is FaceTime and video chats with loved ones. Of course letting children use media by themselves should be avoided.
Please download the PRINTABLE PDF version of this checklist below! For more ideas check out Toys Siblings Can Play with Together. As always please let us know your ideas too!
Masks are effective at preventing the spread of covid19 and other airborne illnesses when worn and stored properly. Know how to wear and care for your mask to stay safe:
How to Wear and Care for Your Mask
Instead of simply saying Wear a mask! we’d like to say, Wear a mask…properly! Here are the most effective ways to wear a mask when out in public:
Surgical Masks– the light blue or green masks that have an appearance like paper.
When you put it on, start by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, hand sanitizer can be used as a secondary option if handwashing isn’t possible. When you pick up your mask, touch the sides/portion that goes around yours ears or head.
While they may not look like it, surgical masks, the ligth blu ones we’re used to seeing, have a top and bottom. The top is the straight part with wire and the wire should be pressed it to your nose, so it shapes to the bridge of your nose.
Masks worn below the nose are essentially useless and offer you and those around you no potential benefit.
When you take a mask off, start by washing your hands, or sanitize. Remove by touching only the sides/portion that touched your ears or the back of your head.
Never touch the inside of your mask! Once you do, that mask has been contaminated and is no longer safe to use.
Surgical masks are meant for single use only. They are not made for multiple uses. If you must reuse it, use your clean hands to fold it so that the outside portion is exposed, and the inside is protected.
If someone coughs or sneezes around you, or you are around someone who is sick, you MUST throw away your mask. This mask is now breeding bacteria between uses. If your mask gets wet, you must throw it away, it is no longer safe to use.
When should I wear a mask?
Wear a mask anytime you’re in an indoor public space and outdoors if you can’t stay 6ft away from others not in your household.
When can I *not* wear my mask?
When in your home, provided everyone is covid-negative
Outdoors as long as a 6ft. distance is maintained from persons not in your household
In your car alone or with those you live with
when eating a drinking
engaged in strenuous activity where your mask impedes breathing
Before you put on a mask, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer can be used if handwashing isn’t possible. When you pick up your mask, touch the sides/portion that goes around yours ears or head…not the middle.
If you’re wearing a surgical mask, note that they have a top and bottom and the top has a wire which should be pressed to form around the bridge of your nose. The same goes for commercial masks with wire on top, be sure the wire is shaped around your nose.
Never touch the inside of your mask! Once you do, that mask has been contaminated and is no longer safe to use.
Remove the mask by touching only the sides/portion that touched your ears or the back of your head.
Wash and sanitize your hands again.
Remember that your mask must cover your nose. If it’s worn below the nose it’s useless.
How do I take care of my mask?
Surgical masks:(the light blue/green ones)
meant for single use only. They are not made for multiple uses. If you must reuse it, use your clean hands to fold it so that the outside portion is exposed, and the inside is protected.
If someone coughs or sneezes around you, or you are around someone who is sick, you MUST throw away your mask. This mask is now breeding bacteria between uses.
If your mask gets wet, you must throw it away, it is no longer safe to use.
Cloth masks:
should be washed after EVERY use.
Do not put a cloth mask back on if it becomes damp or wet.
Do not wear it if you’ve been around a sick person prior to washing it.
There are many different cloth masks but comfort and fit should be considered the most important things, since keeping the mask on and properly fitted helps keep you safe.
Remember that the gaiter type of face covering may not be useful.
Use a filter in your cloth mask if available. Many commercial masks are sold with filters but you can also use coffee filters or paper towels. These should be thrown away after each use.
Cloth Masks
Cloth masks should be washed after EVERY use. The above rules all still apply, and if you do not have a wire insert to shape around your nose, just be sure it is at least covering your nose. Do not put a cloth mask back on if it becomes damp or wet, or if you’ve been around a sick person the last time you wore it, prior to washing it.
What about Babies and Toddlers?
Masks are not recommended for babies and toddlers age 2 or younger.
The ideal situation to keep safe from covid19 in public is mask wearing combined with social distancing of 6 feet or more.
Lots of Americans are still not convinced that masks work even though evidence shows that masks, especially when coupled with social distancing do in fact slow the spread of coronavirus. (Here’s more evidence and another study).
As a response to those who say masks don’t work because “if air can get through the mask, so can virus particles,” Public Health RN and Infection Prevention Specialist Laura Hegarty-Moore said, “Of course some particles get through the mask but there’s a certain threshold called viral loadthat needs to be met in order for someone to get sick. Since a mask blocks a lot of the virus coming out, there’s likely not enough of a viral load escaping to make the person next to you sick.”
This blog was written by the Nurses of Let Mommy Sleep and Infection Control Specialist Laura Hegarty-Moore, RN PHS. If you have any questions about masks, let us know on Instagram or Facebook.
Updated, May 2022 – Just because they sell it, doesn’t mean it’s safe. Throw away these hand sanitizers immediately because these Hand Sanitizers Test Positive for Toxic Methanol. Methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. It can also be life-threatening when ingested. The FDA has already received reports of products causing blindness, hospitalizations and death.
Many new cleaners and sanitizers have come on the market since the COVID19 outbreak. We know now that the virus is transmitted by air and liquid droplets so wearing a mask properly can help stop and slow transmission. Hand washing or sanitizing is still recommended and helps stop the spread of the flu, colds and other illnesses.
Hand Sanitizers Test Positive for Toxic Methanol
If you have any brand name or “manufactured by” hand sanitizers on this list, please throw them away immediately. The FDA has reported a “a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but that have tested positive for methanol contamination.” There are 87 known contaminated products and all have been recalled, but many have made it out to consumer shelves. Even a trusted sounding name like Hello Kitty or NeoNatural may contain methanol.
Be advised also that many contaminated products are simply labeled “Hand Sanitizer.” If you have one of these generic names sanitizers please check the label for the manufacturer name. Products with the following manufacturer names have been recalled: Esk, Grupo Insoma, Limpio Quimicos, MXL, Soluciones and Tropocosmeticos.
If you need sanitizer, remember you can also use alcohol wipes or soak cotton balls in alcohol and use the cotton ball on your hands. Hand washing is always recommended as it kills more germs but sanitizers can be used when hand washing isn’t an option.
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.
Public Health RN and Infection Prevention Specialist
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!
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.
