Protecting your baby from infection

We live in a world where germs (bacteria) are necessary. Most germs do us no harm and everyone has them. Sometimes the germs move to places in the body where they can develop into an infection. If a baby develops an infection while they are receiving healthcare, this is called a healthcare-associated infection.

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In children and baby units there is a slightly greater risk of patients developing a healthcare infection because they are more vulnerable to infections.

Most babies do not get infections or need admitted to a Neonatal Unit. Some babies are more at risk of developing an infection than others.

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This includes if they:
• Are exposed to harmful germs across the placenta or via the birth canal before and during birth.
• Are born very early (prematurely) or stressed (they might not be able to fight off germs that cause infection).
• Are very sick and receiving intensive care. The tubes and lines used to support the baby and their breathing or to give them fluid or medicine might allow germs to enter their body and increase the chance of infection
• If your baby has a wound or skin damage, this might also give germs a way into the body and cause infection

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Infection may also be caused by your baby being in contact with others, such as brothers or sisters or family and friends who have an infection.

Staff will take every precaution to reduce the likelihood of your baby developing an infection. These include following strict rules for keeping their hands clean and procedures for placing tubes and lines in babies and also making sure the healthcare environment, including all equipment, is clean. Staff will also offer other advice to reduce the chance of infection in babies, such as supporting mothers with breastfeeding.

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You can also help prevent your baby from getting an infection by following some simple steps:
• Always wash your hands before touching your baby
• If you feel unwell, phone the unit before visiting and staff will advise you on the best course of action.
• Do not allow relatives or friends to visit if you are unwell
• If you are bringing in clothes or toys, make sure that these have been washed in a hot cycle (65oC) before putting them in your baby’s cot.
• Follow the advice from staff on cleaning equipment such as chairs if you need to move these into your baby’s cot space.

As the signs and symptoms of infection are not always obvious, your baby will be closely monitored. This may mean they need further tests or investigations, which may require treatment.

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Depending on the type of infection your baby may be nursed in their own single room or together with other babies who have the same infection, staff may wear gowns, gloves or a mask.

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If you are worried or unsure about anything to do with healthcare infection, please speak to the doctor or nurse responsible for your baby’s care.

Babies in the neonatal unit are very susceptible to picking up infections. We are careful to do everything we can to prevent this. You can help us protect all the babies in the unit by doing this following:

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• When you come into the unit remove your coats and outside jackets. These can be stored along with other belongings in the keypad parent lockers.
• Make sure you are ‘bare below the elbows’. Roll up sleeves; remove watches, rings and all jewellery. We advise that you keep your nails short.
• Before entering the bay or room your baby is in, wash your hands following the instructions below and beside each sink. Wash hands before touching your baby, after changing nappy, before and after expressing or putting your baby to the breast, and when leaving the bay/room.

Mobile phones and tablets can carry germs that you cannot see. Please wash your hands after using your phone/tablet before you touch your baby. When you and your baby are having skin to skin if you need to use your phone/tablet, please ask for a detergent wipe to clean it first.