– Dr. Piyush Shah is a consultant, neonatologist & pediatrician at Cloudnine Hospital, Mumbai

I expect to deliver my baby in two months time. After delivery, I’m worried about taking my infant frequently to the hospital for administering the vaccines prescribed for infants because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Can I postpone the infant vaccinations to a later date?
— Rashmi Dev, Bengaluru

The National Immunisation Programme for infants and children has been carefully prepared to protect them from six preventable diseases — diptheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, hemophilus influenza, and hepatitis B as well as pneumonia and diarrhoea. These are life-threatening diseases and often lead to morbidities including neurodisability in children. Vaccination is critical to prevent these diseases in children. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised all countries to continue their vaccination programmes as an essential service during the pandemic.

Paediatricians are well-equipped to vaccinate infants during the pandemic while maintaining social distancing norms. Ditto government and municipal corporation vaccine centres are mandated to follow Covid-19 safety protocols. Delaying vaccination of infants is not advisable.

My two-month-old cries incessantly when we have visitors. She is calm when it is just my husband and me in the house, but gets startled on seeing guests. Please advise.
— Divya Nair, Kochi

A two-month-old getting startled is normal. Startle reflex is an inherited newborn response that is normal until four months of life. Persistence beyond this time milestone is abnormal.

Swaddling the child, playing light music, and avoiding bright flashy lights will calm her. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and child is also comforting to a newborn.

My three-week-old infant’s neck is not yet steady. Being a first time mom, I’m afraid of letting his neck fall while giving him a bath. I would like to use a baby tub to bathe him. Relatives have many other recommendations. What is the right way to bathe him? Do I need the help of a doula (caregiver)?
— Srimathi K, Chennai

Some infants require neck holding and support until four months of age. While bathing your infant, let him lie on your lap, or on a flat table or baby tub. Ensure that the end where the head rests is higher to avoid accidents. With experience, you will become comfortable bathing him. If needed, your husband or another family member could assist you. It’s not necessary to get outside help.

My one-month infant often gets hiccups. I would like to exclusively breastfeed her for six months. I know that a breastfed baby should not be fed water. Why is he hiccupping so often? What should I do when it happens?
— Dolly Mathur, Mumbai

Infants tend to swallow air when they breastfeed. When gas is released, the infant hiccups. This is normal and self-resolving. It requires no intervention. Burping the child and then continuing to breastfeed will help. Don’t feed the child water or antacids. Talk to your pediatrician if you need further assistance.

Also read: Covid-19: Rash, masks & more