Putting face masks on babies and toddlers to protect against coronavirus could prove deadly, experts warn
PUTTING face masks on babies and toddlers to protect them against coronavirus “could prove deadly”, experts are warning.
Doctors say masks make inhaling and exhaling more difficult for children under two-years-old given they have smaller airways, which could lead to suffocation.
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Medics are instead urging parents to keep toddlers and babies out of public settings during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as making sure family members are practicing good hand hygiene.
Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP and Clinical Lead at , told The Sun Online: “There are risks associated with babies and infants wearing masks.
“For example, children do have smaller airways which will have to work harder to take up oxygen through a face mask.
“And there’s also the risk of the baby trying to remove a mask, and the mask becoming tangled and potentially causing injury.
“There are other, more efficient and less risky ways you can protect your children from picking up coronavirus, which is to ensure they stay at home as much as possible, that you and they stay at least two metres apart from other people when outdoors, and that you help them practice regular hand washing.”
Dr Mike Linney from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, added: “It’s not yet clear whether the wearing of masks for people who aren’t healthcare workers can help limit the spread of Covid-19.
“But we do know that it is very dangerous to put a face mask on a baby or very young child.
“Children of around three years upwards may need to wear a mask in hospital but the most important thing is to keep up the social distancing and for family members to wash hands before touching the baby or young child.”
Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP who focuses on children’s health, added that face masks would prompt a child to touch his or her face more frequently – increasing their risk of catching coronavirus.
Dr Kaye added: “Those under two would touch their faces and the masks all the time, making them less effective and are a risk re their airways and breathing – please avoid!”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also urging parents not to put cloth face masks on children given the risk.
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Health experts say droves of people across the world have been making homemade masks for babies during the pandemic, and that a search for infant masks on retail giant Amazon delivered an “alarming amount” of results.
Scientists are still trying to understand the new coronavirus, but research so far suggests that there are fewer cases of the virus reported in children.
That doesn’t mean that kids can’t catch the virus – in fact, the youngest known case was only 30 hours old.
But based on the limited information available, the symptoms in children appear to be mild.
A also said that “children might be less likely to become infected or, if infected, may show milder symptoms” than adults.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the signs in children include a fever, dry cough and fast breathing.
Another thing to look out for are signs of dehydration, such as not peeing for 8-12 hours, no tears when crying, or being less active than usual, according to .
To stop the spread of coronavirus, health bosses say that parents should encourage thorough handwashing, throwing tissues straight in the bin and avoiding people who are ill.
The best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands with soap and water for the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
Happy Birthday takes about 20 seconds to sing twice and is said to be the perfect number to clean your hands to thoroughly.
To keep babies safe, experts recommend keeping them out of public settings, as well as making sure family members are symptom-free and washing their hands before holding the baby.
Siblings and family members should also be discouraged from touching the baby’s face.
The UK Government is urging everyone to stay home as much as possible but if parents must take a baby out, doctors say to place a blanket loosely over the car seat to limit exposure but never over the child.
The CDC recommends washing soft toys and other items as needed, using the “warmest appropriate water setting.” You should let the items dry completely.
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If your child shows any Covid-19 symptoms or you’re concerned they may have coronavirus make sure you follow NHS guidelines and stay at home.
You can also call NHS 111 or visit for medical advice, 24 hours a day.
However, if you are very worried about your child or their life is at risk, you should always call 999 or go to your local A&E or urgent care centre.