
Parenting a baby during COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, can be stressful. As more people over 12 receive vaccines, many parents are left wondering how COVID-19 affects young children who can't yet be vaccinated.
Most cases of COVID-19 have been noted in adults and older children. Young children seem to have a lower risk of serious illness or death than older people, but they can be infected. Newborns and infants can get COVID-19.
Can newborns get COVID-19?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's not common for newborns to be diagnosed with COVID-19. But there have been a few cases of newborns testing positive for the virus. Researchers don't know if these babies caught COVID-19 before, during, or after birth.
Most of the newborns who test positive for COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms. There are a few reports of babies who did develop serious symptoms.
So far, research has indicated that COVID-19 is not spread to newborns through breast milk.
The CDC recommends the following precautions for breastfeeding mothers who test positive for COVID-19:
- Wear a mask when feeding or expressing milk for your baby.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before feeding or expressing milk.
Can older babies and young children get COVID-19?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there have been nearly 4.2 million cases of the novel coronavirus in children since the beginning of the pandemic. But the rates of hospitalization or death are significantly lower for children than adults.
Although most cases in children and infants are mild -- they may show no symptoms at all -- some cases have been very serious. There have been some documented deaths of infants from COVID-19 in the U.S. and worldwide.
If your infant or young child has an underlying medical condition, they may be more likely to have severe symptoms. Babies with asthma, diabetes, or who are otherwise immunocompromised may be at increased risk for dangerous symptoms or death from COVID-19.

SLIDESHOW
Parenting Guide: Healthy Eating for Kids See SlideshowDo vaccinated mothers protect newborns through breast milk?
Though research is ongoing, two recent studies in Israel suggest that antibodies pass from a vaccinated mother to her newborn baby through breast milk. The studies examined the number of COVID-19 antibodies in the mothers' breast milk for the first 6 weeks of their babies' lives. Both studies suggest that there are significant amounts of antibodies that are transferred to newborns. These antibodies may help protect them from COVID-19.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 in babies?
Doctors have observed that COVID-19 has the same incubation period in infants as in adults -- on average, 6-10 days. After that symptom-free period, babies and young children may begin to show the following symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Cough
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite or poor feeding
Other symptoms of COVID-19 infections may be present in infants. They can be harder to notice because babies aren't able to explain what they are feeling. Researchers believe that babies with COVID-19 may also experience headaches, loss of taste or smell, abdominal pain, or sore throats.
Health News
- Opdivo Could Boost Outcomes for People Battling Hodgkin Lymphoma
- More U.S. Kids, Teens Are Getting Weight-Loss Surgeries
- Could a Nitroglycerin Patch Ease Hot Flashes?
- One Form of Menopause Hormone Therapy Might Raise Blood Pressure
- Targeted Drug May Lower Odds for Breast Cancer's Return in Some Patients
More Health News »
How can you protect your baby from COVID-19?
Babies and young children can't yet receive vaccinations against COVID-19. The CDC also recommends that children under 2 not wear masks or face shields. There are a few reasons you shouldn't put a mask on your baby:
Babies have smaller airways than older children or adults. Breathing through a fabric layer is much more difficult for their small systems.
Babies can suffocate. Masks work best when they're tight-fitting, but that can increase your baby's risk of suffocation.
Babies can't communicate. If your baby is having a hard time breathing, they can't tell you.
Babies will try to remove the mask. In the process of trying to take their mask off, your baby may touch their face even more than usual, which may increase their risk of infection from COVID-19.
But there are a few easy ways to keep your baby safe and help prevent exposure to COVID-19:
- Limit exposure to unvaccinated people or crowded indoor spaces.
- Keep babies at least 6 feet away from people who don't live in the same household.
- Minimize your own risk of getting COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before holding or feeding your baby.
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
- Keep surfaces in your home clean, especially doorknobs, countertops, remotes, and cell phones.
What to do if you think your baby has COVID-19
If you believe that your baby has COVID-19, contact your child's doctor. They will likely ask about your child's symptoms, exposure to anyone who has tested positive, and make a recommendation on getting your baby tested for COVID-19.
If your infant has any of the following symptoms, call 911 or seek immediate care at an emergency room:
- Difficulty breathing or catching their breath
- Inability to keep liquids down
- Confusion
- Inability to waken
- Blue-colored lips
These symptoms and signs can indicate a medical emergency.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. "Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers," "Newborns of COVID-vaccinated moms may be protected from infection."
Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Coronavirus in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention."
Nationwide Children's. "Mask Safety 101: Why You Shouldn't Mask a Baby."
United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Breastfeeding and Caring for Newborns."
Top Can babies get Covid19 Related Articles
7 Signs It's Time to Wean Your Baby From Breast or Bottle Feeding
When is it time to wean your baby from the breast or bottle to solid foods? Learn how and when to wean your child from breastmilk to formula, and from formula to solid food.Babies Quiz
Take the Babies Quiz to learn what milestones and developments you can expect from your baby’s first year.Can I Get COVID-19 Again?
If you have had COVID-19, can you get it again? Yes, COVID-19 reinfection is rare but possible. Learn what symptoms to look for and how to protect yourself.Coronavirus: How COVID-19 Affects Your Body
By now, everyone knows about COVID-19. But do you know how it can affect your body?COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. Cold
When you're feeling sick, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection from the symptoms of the common cold or the flu (influenza). While fever is common with the flu and COVID-19, sneezing is typically only associated with colds. Though sore throats are typical with colds, they are uncommon with COVID-19 infections and the flu.How Dangerous Is the Coronavirus Disease?
The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been declared a global emergency. As per experts, the coronavirus disease is considered the worst crisis since World War II and has led to stringent lockdowns by governments worldwide.How Do the COVID-19 Coronavirus Tests Work?
Tests used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may use two methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia. Genomic or molecular detection confirms the presence of viral DNA. The immunoglobulin or serology tests can tell whether or not you have been exposed to coronavirus, but not whether you are currently infected. Both tests administered in tandem can give you your complete COVID-19 infection status.How Long Is a COVID-19 Patient Contagious?
People infected with COVID-19 can still be contagious even when they stop feeling sick, so precautionary measures should continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms disappear and until the COVID-19 test result is negative. Ideally, patients should be quarantined at home or an institution for 2 weeks after the symptoms completely disappear.What Causes High Calcium Levels in Infants?
Elevated levels of calcium in the blood indicate a condition known as hypercalcemia. The causes of high calcium levels may vary with age and other factors. High calcium levels in infants can be caused by excess calcium in food, excessive vitamin D intake, excessive vitamin A intake, primary hyperparathyroidism or an increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH), cancerous tumors, injury to skin or fat tissue, infectious diseases (leprosy and histoplasmosis), immobilization or bed rest, and family history of genetic disorders.What Is Considered to Be Fever for COVID-19?
A body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher is generally seen in people with COVID-19, although not everyone who is infected with the virus will develop a fever. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to infection. Other COVID-19 symptoms may include cough, runny nose, body aches, headache, sore throat, difficulty breathing, nausea with or without vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, and abdominal pain.What Is the Mortality Rate of RSV in Babies?
The survival rate of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants depends on the child’s immunological status. While healthier children have a lower mortality rate, higher-risk babies have a greater chance of developing complications.COVID-19 (Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV)
Infection with COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV) causes respiratory problems in humans. Transmission of COVID-19 occurs mainly through contact with respiratory sections from an infected person, however, fecal contamination may also spread the virus. Symptoms start off flu-like and progress to coughing, fever, shortness of breath, shaking chills, headache, loss of sense of taste and/or smell, muscle pain, and sore throat. Treatment focuses on supportive care and symptom relief. COVID-19 vaccines are available.