Another mask one...

[HopefulFor2020]

Just wondering how parents of young babies feel about having to wear masks?

It's important for babies to see and interact with faces and now they won't be able to do that on public transport or in shops. Yes, for most people it's not a huge length of time so really not an issue but if I want to go to my local town it's 30-45 mins on a bus. If my 3 month old DS gets fussy and I need to comfort him that's going to be bloody awful with a mask on. If I need to change him while I'm in John Lewis can I take my mask off then? And if I'm constantly taking my mask off (in between shops to chat to ds, changing him, stopping for a coffee etc) will I need to go through 15 disposable masks for one shopping trip? Or do I buy loads of washable ones and do an entire load when I get home? Where am I supposed to get the money for all these masks? I guess once I'm done buying them I won't be able to afford to go shopping anyway so problem solved.

Is the answer just that I can't take my baby on public transport or to shops? There's no baby groups so we're already feeling isolated (I am at least, I haven't asked him how he feels if I'm honest)

I will absolutely be wearing a mask (grudgingly) when and where required and probably some places where it's not required, I just have a lot of questions

So I’m in Scotland and we’ve been wearing masks since mid June and here’s what we do

1. Buy washable masks that cheer up the baby - husband has boat and pirate themed, I have jungle themed. We have 4 each and only ever need 2 per trip.

1. If you take your mask down between shops (which I do) just wear it under your chin or dangling off one ear. There’s no need to go mental with loads of the things. The key thing is not touching your mouth or the mask surface area too often and when you do , use hand Santizer. A quick squirt is not too taxing.

1. You don’t need to take your mask off to comfort them, a hug, a tone of voice etc , many things can comfort. Get them used to it in the house first smiling and then putting it in front of your face and repeat, like a peekaboo game. Speak to them, smile with your eyes. But if you absolutely must change them without your mask on I think communal facilities would frown on that so better when the baby change is in its own cubicle or in a disabled loo and then of course you can take it off while you are in there.

Happy to take further questions on how it’s already worked up here.

For a second there I forgot that I hadn't posted in AIBU and was confused by the pleasantness of your post Thank you, that all makes sense and some very helpful tips there.

I'm sure I'm over thinking it as I do suffer from (diagnosed) anxiety. I have to force myself to go out at the best of times so this just throws up so many more issues for me. I also suffered quite severely with PND with ds1 and as a result struggled to bond with him like I'd hoped and imagined. I thought ds2 was going to be a whole different (better) experience but some stupid bat obviously had a better idea!

Although I'd really rather not have to wear a mask (and weirdly have no anxiety around catching Covid myself) the anxiety about being judged for not wearing it or not wearing it correctly means I most definitely will.

Well it’s really more for the protection of others anyway. I get what you mean on anxiety though. Side thought - gave you fine Zoom baby classes at home? Not bad.

Unfortunately zoom anything where I don't already know everyone is a whole other level of anxiety so no chance of that happening I'm afraid

Not what you were asking but as a side note I have a 3 month old and have been doing zoom classes. Once
You log on a say hello you can turn the video off. Might be worth thinking about. I have found them brilliant for breaking the day up as well as having something to look forward to