Concerned by use of face shields on newborn babies

WE are paediatricians who form the Penang Paediatric Network and we would like to comment on a photo titled “Wee protection” that appeared in The Star on April 6. The photo was of a row of newborn babies in a Thai hospital wearing little face shields purportedly to protect them from Covid-19.

Firstly, according to the World Health Organisation, health facilities should enable mothers and babies to be kept together 24 hours a day even if the mother has suspected, probable or confirmed Covid-19. Infected mothers should take precautions such as wearing a mask during breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. Breastmilk is the first line of protection and if a mother is infected, her milk will protect her baby from Covid-19 through the presence of antibodies in her milk. In the early days when breastfeeding is being established, a face shield on the baby would restrict breastfeeding at this crucial stage.