Will my lockdown baby get separation anxiety?
I ask after new research has revealed that 42% of new mums are worried that their babies will struggle socially when lockdown restrictions are lifted and the world re-opens after coronavirus.
It’s a good question, and one I’ve thought about a lot as a mama to a lockdown baby myself. I was 37 weeks pregnant with Violet when we went into lockdown in March 2020 and as her first birthday approaches I can’t help but wonder how the last year has affected her developmentally.
Will my lockdown baby get separation anxiety?
At 11 months old Violet has never been in close contact with or interacted with another baby of her own age, we’ve never been to a mother and baby group or socialised with other mums and babies and her only experience of the big wide world involves strangers socially distanced and wearing masks. What’s more, she’s only met her grandparents a handful of times and there are still many members of our family she hasn’t met at all.
The research into lockdown babies by organic baby milk brand Kendamil found that as well as their baby’s inability to socialise, top post-pandemic parenting fears include babies missing out on the sensory benefits of exploring outdoors, and not being able to bond with grandparents.
Of course staying at home is all a lockdown baby has ever known, so while it’s strange to us it’s totally normal to them. Violet will happily wave and giggle at people she’s never met before in the supermarket, even though she can’t see them smiling back at her from behind their masks.
I can’t help but ask myself: will her ability to read people’s faces be affected? Will she struggle with personal space and boundaries when social distancing restrictions are lifted? Will having been at home with me for the best part of a year make her a clingy baby?
There have been so many occasions in the last year when I’ve been glad she’s my fourth baby and not my first, because at least she’s got three siblings to play and interact with at home.
The fact is only time will tell if there really has been an impact on our lockdown babies as a result of coronavirus. Violet is due to start nursery in September and I’ll be really interested to see how well she settles in compared to her brother and sisters.
Do you worry about the impact of lockdown on your children’s development? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I worry that children will not be able to read people’s faces as well because of the masks. They already barely want to look up from electronic devices. I think you baby will adapt quickly. Pioneer families (in the US, for example) had very isolated living, as well as other situations. Good luck and I will be interested to hear the answer spool out over the years to come.
It’s definitely had a big impact! Due to my middle son being diagnosed with T1 diabetes at the beginning of the first lockdown we had to shield. My youngest son (now 2) is behind with his speech and I think it’s lockdown related. Being stuck in with us he hasn’t needed to talk as we understand his gestures, he’s not socialised with any other children besides his brothers for over half his life. Today was his first day at pre-school, he was so excited to go in and meet other children! I’m so glad things are starting to return to normal! #MishchiefAndMemories
It’s going to be an interesting few years as we unravel exactly what effects the pandemic has had. My niece was born in the pandemic and has just started nursery at 9 months old. She took a while to settle in but I think that’s more due to her being an only child and not used to high levels of noise, whereas my daughter, who was born in 2017 had been going to singing sessions at the library and playgroups before she started nursery so she was accustomed to other children shouting and jumping around. I think lockdown babies have missed out but hopefully not to an extent that causes any future problems.
Katrina x
#MischiefandMemories
It’s definitely going to be interesting to see the longer term effects on children and babies. The great thing is that children are so adaptable so hopefully they will all be fine π #mischiefandmemories
Just popping in from #KCACOLS too xx
I think all children will be inevitably be affected by the restrictions of lockdown. However, don’t quote me but there is research to suggest that all the lovely bonding and attachment your baby has had within your family bubble will provide lots of wonderful contributory factors to her development. Which will have positive long term benefits such as good resilience which will help her transition into nursery xx #mischiefandmemories
It’s definitely one of those ‘time will tell’ things, but little ones do bounce back and fingers crossed, those destined to be social butterflies will find their wings. And, those with quieter little ones will most likely have benefitted hugely by all that extra one-to-one time they would have had at home, giving them an even bigger boost of confidence. Thank you for joining us for the #mischiefandmemories linky xx
The whole thing is very worrying for children’s development. My eldest has really struggled. I have definitely been thankful that at least my kids have each other so having 4 kids really came into its own! #MischiefandMemories
I think lockdown has affected all age groups but am hoping that my children have resilience to accept the ever changing circumstances. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
It is hard not to worry about how lockdown has impacted our kids and it must be especially hard for new mums. Having said that I think kids are really resilient. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
Also popping by from #KCACOLS
Katrina x
I try not to think of all the things my twins have missed out on in the last year, but at least I had the chance to do baby groups etc with them before. It’s so sad for babies who have missed out on all that. Like you say though, thank goodness they have siblings to socialise with. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS.