So worried about my baby’s development

[crispyy]

I have a nine month old baby who was born during the first lockdown. I was only saying yesterday to my mum that I’m grateful he’s so young because he doesn’t really have a clue what’s going on or know that he’s missing out - and that it must be much harder for children who are a bit older.

However, I’ve just been reading a thread on the coronavirus board about how the first three years of a child’s life are critical to their development and that lockdown is going to really affect young children, even babies.

Well, my baby has barely had any interaction with other people since birth - he’s seen members of his family a handful of times when allowed, and we managed to get to about four or five baby group sessions in total. He doesn’t observe me or his dad interacting with other people much because we haven’t seen anyone.

I’m terrified that this could have really affected his development and that he’s going to struggle with socialising and social skills growing up.

I’m reluctant to put him in nursery or with a childminder, first and foremost because we really can’t afford it and secondly because I’m concerned about him catching Covid.

Is there anything I can do?

I certainly, and i think larktree (though correct me if I am wrong) think that there may be a justification in some concern because the studies that discuss social isolation have not been done on children where they are starting out with NO socialisation out the home. Very few childres by age of 12 months will not have touched another child or won't have been held by another adult other than parents, therefore conclusions for any experiments/studies may be inapplicable here.. Not saying for sure, just putting it out there as a possibility. The 18 month old kids in these studies who are starting to socialise will have had other interactions which i assume will affect their behaviour.

Additionally, 18 months will not be a magic number. It will be an average with variation depending on the child.

Again, not to alarm, but if my experience in educational research is anything to go by, there will have been very few RCTs done on this so really, people can't make definitive statements.

Just my opinion.

I found that when my wee one is physically closer to a child he is more facinated. A vision thing? Also he now likes babies but he prefers slightly older toddlers. Doesnt care for say preschool/older children

I wonder why my baby just doesn't seem particularly interested in other people? Like when we go to the park, he will sort of notice other children, but doesn't stare at them or get excited or anything. It's like he's just not bothered basically.

What are people's thoughts on turning the pram the other way, so he's facing outwards rather than looking at us - could that help?

So long as you and his dad are talkingv to and interacting with him he will be fine!
Keep chatting
Look a blue car
Look the yellow flower
One two three blocks
Look at books etc

Turn pram whichever way you like.
Maybe try both ways

But please try znd relax. Being around one or two loving parents who are joyful with him will be all he needs!

@crispyy

I wonder why my baby just doesn't seem particularly interested in other people? Like when we go to the park, he will sort of notice other children, but doesn't stare at them or get excited or anything. It's like he's just not bothered basically.

What are people's thoughts on turning the pram the other way, so he's facing outwards rather than looking at us - could that help?

He's not that interested because he's a baby!

He's not that interested because he's a baby!

Well that's what I thought, but then others have said how important it is to take the baby to the shops and the park so they can see other people. But when I do that, DS just doesn't appear to be hugely bothered or seem like he's getting much out of it!

I think they are all different and at different stages at different ages. If they arent interested cool. Interact with what interests them. My concerns come from the fact that at 11 montns he is now interested and smiles and waves when we meet ramdoms!