Babies are extremely vulnerable to infection so the nursing staff will explain about hand hygiene, touching and holding your baby and how you can help your visitors in maintaining standards.
The steps are simple and apply to all who come into the unit:
- When you come to the main door of the unit, there will be a bottle of alcohol gel on the wall; please squirt some gel into your hands and rub together.
- When you are outside your baby’s nursery, remove all coats/jackets and hats and if you are wearing long sleeves, please roll them up to elbow length. Remove all watches, bracelets and jewellery, except wedding bands and store these safely.
- Before coming to your baby, wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol gel should be used when at the baby’s cot side before and after touching your baby. If you have twins or triplets who are co-bedding, there is no need to use the alcohol gel before and after touching each baby; one application is sufficient.
- Mobile devices, for example phones, carry germs; please do not use your device while you are holding your baby.
- On leaving the nursery clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol gel. Your baby’s brothers and sisters can touch their brother or sister as long as they are supervised. We ask that other family members and friends do not touch your baby until she/he is well and nursed in a cot in a low dependency nursery.
