Here’s why a baby shouldn’t wear a mask

Even with the rate of  Covid-19 declining, now more than ever it is crucial to wear a mask and it has been made compulsory by government. It is a survival staple to curb the spread of this pandemic that has already claimed thousands of lives of South Africans and world over. If a mask is so important and mandatory why are we only seeing adults wearing masks and none in sight for a baby or toddler? No! They are not being negligent parents but masks put babies under the age of two at the risk of suffocation. Therefore, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Paediatrics(AAP) do not recommend face masks for children under the age of two.

Breathing difficulty

Babies’ airways and their lung capacities are smaller than grown ups’ and they may struggle to effectively breathe with a mask on. It is hard enough for adults to have a mask on for longer periods of time but at least adults have the option to remove it once in safer spaces, like inside the car for example. Babies are also unable to remove the mask if they start feeling distressed. Another concern is that carbon dioxide can get trapped between the mask and baby’s face, and that this can actually suppress their breathing. If your baby’s face is covered, as a parent you are not able to see if your baby is busy regurgitating milk or is choking. This puts baby at a real risk.

Babies not immune to Covid-19

Just because babies do not wear masks, doesn’t mean that they are immune to COVID-19 but it seems to be less harmful to children than for grown-ups, even though in rare cases they may develop more serious complications. Children can also become carriers, spreading the virus to others without having any symptoms themselves. For this reason, we should offer children the same protection- but minus the mask.

Protecting your baby

So how does one protect their baby against such a deadly pandemic? Well, the same principles of protection that counts for grown-ups are also valid for babies.

• Keep children at home as much as possible. Do not take baby out unnecessarily and avoid crowded areas.
• Maintain social distance as far as possible and position yourself so that there is 1-2 metres between you and the next person when you are out and about.
• A baby carrier is much better than a child stroller as it’s easier to keep other people further away from your baby in many ways.
• If baby is in a carrier, cover baby with a muslin blanket in a way where other people cannot easily cough or sneeze over baby, but where you can still see baby’s face.
• If you opt for a stroller or a car seat, cover them with a light blanket. You should be able to see your baby at all times though. If your baby is in a covered stroller in a crowded area it will be easy for someone to abduct a baby without you noticing it immediately.
• If your child is still using a stroller, this can actually help to keep him contained, rather than running around in the store and touching possible contaminated items. Take along a favourite toy to keep him busy and occupied. Make sure that it is something that you can sanitise afterwards.
• Wash or sanitise your hands every time before you touch the baby.
• Although there is not yet sufficient evidence on this topic, it is believed that breastfeeding offers baby protection against COVID-19, so breastfeed baby as long as possible. Also breastfeeding strengthens the immune system and to fight Covid-19 you need a strong immune system.
• Go to the pharmacy and ask for an age-appropriate immune booster.
• Although difficult, consider keeping them away from family members who fall in the high-risk group for developing complications of COVID-19.

A new normal

Although the end is not yet in sight for this pandemic, it will be over soon and life can go back to normal. We will again be able to move amongst each other without fear and distance, to hug loved ones and to enjoy the most beautiful parts of what life has given us – time spent with each other.