Do you think there'll be a long term effect of babies toddlers seeing humans in masks?

[waltzingparrot]

I've just queued in the co-op behind a mum with a baby of about 6/7 months over her shoulder. I was doing all that smiling and waving you do when you are faced by a very alert baby.

As I was wearing a mask it just occurred to me that all these babies are missing out the cues of smiles on strangers etc. Do you think it could have a long term effect?

I'd be more concerned at the damage we're doing to young babies and young children's immune systems. Even before covid they were sayong that the increase in allergies was possibly because of reduced interaction with germs. Now we have a group of babies and toddlers who haven't been exposed to any of the usual coughs and colds that bolster their immune systems and I wouldn't be surprised if once we go back to normal (because we will at some point) there is a large number of paediatric admissions due to respiratory viruses that in normal circumstances they would have shook off.

I don’t think my baby or toddler are being harmed by the 1/2 hours I spend wearing a mask on the supermarket each week. The rest of the time we are at home, in the garden, or out and about in various parks

No.

My cousin’s HV said anecdotally they have already noticed a general delay in babies born since the pandemic starting smiling and think it may be due to a) not getting outside much so not seeing other people b) the people they do see are wearing masks. That was just the impression of her and her colleagues. I can imagine babies might be slower to smile at strangers.

Blind babies apparently smile just as much as their sighted counterparts 🤷🏻‍♀️

My 10 month old thinks masks are hilarious. I'm more worried about the lack of opportunities to socialise tbh

To some, yes. Babies are not born with convenient diagnoses of their SNs, and it is an additional hinderence to those with communication difficulties that will emerge down the line.

Many babies are not seeing anyone other than their immediate family in their home, and don't have access to things like baby groups yet, so they are not getting the benefits of broader socialisation that occurs in societies where items like veils are worn in public, plus they tend only to be worn by women, not men (and facemasks are not routinely worn in countries such as China, more than the UK, but not a default for the majority)

Getting out is vital stimulation to babies. Parents favour parent facing prams when not constricted by size and budget because of the communication benefits. You use different vocabulary outside the home because of the difference in surroundings. I can tell which words my school age DS hears more at home and more at school because of the accent he uses to say them.

Face masks obscure about 2/3s of expression and ruin the clarity of speech and are a massive hinderence to communication.

I terrified a young child earlier bless him. It's the first negative experience I've had with a mask. Poor boy, I waved at him and scared him more! Lol

No they won't even remember it.

@iamtheoneandonlyyy

I terrified a young child earlier bless him. It's the first negative experience I've had with a mask. Poor boy, I waved at him and scared him more! Lol

Were you really the only one around wearing a mask?

My 16 week old loves people. She knows when someone is smiling under a mask. I guess they pick up on the other queues as well.

*cues

No

On the other hand I have friends who say their babies of the same age get really upset and cry when they see someone in a mask.

Nope. My toddler (19 months) finds it hilarious that are people are wearing masks. She just pulls funny faces at people.
What kind of long terms problems are you expecting?

There will be long term effects on this whole generation of children. People are dismissive of the effects on mental health at their peril. Those of us working in this field are already seeing it.

@IcyApril

On the other hand I have friends who say their babies of the same age get really upset and cry when they see someone in a mask.

Why, I wonder? They know no different 🤷🏻‍♀️

Why, I wonder? They know no different

Infants respond to faces. It is indescribably important for early development that they do.

It depends if their primary caregivers are wearing masks a significant proportion of the time. I can imagine that being very significant.

I don't think anyone is going to be particulary scarred by masked strangers cooing over them. My children just tolerated that anyway, it did nothing for them.

@shesaidshesleavingonasunday

Why, I wonder? They know no different

Infants respond to faces. It is indescribably important for early development that they do.

Sure, I wouldn't argue with that. But random strangers wouldn't be interacting with your baby to any significant degree?

No, think they’ll be fine, 2 small girls in Ikea shouted leopard print leopard print at me at the till and the mum kept apologising, saying sorry they really like leopard print.

I grew up in the middle East ( birth to 8 years) so this is not really concerning to me.

No. Most people only wear masks in shops and public transport, so there's still of unmasked faces to see in other places.

Yes I think it’s horrendous

Incidentally, my 3 year old has just finished nearly 8 weeks of summer camp at his preschool in New England. His teachers were all masked (and by law we are all masked outdoors, even if we step outside for a walk) and he has had zero problems. He loves school normally and despite the slight change in rules they instituted to allow camp to reopen he had no trouble adjusting or communicating with his teachers. I think children are far far more resilient and adaptable than we give them credit for.