The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly brought about significant changes across the globe, affecting people from all walks of life. While much attention has been given to the immediate health and economic impacts of the virus, little consideration has been given to those who were born during these challenging times. To shed light on the experiences of babies born during the pandemic and their potential long-term implications on their overall health and development, our research group conducted an in-depth study.
Our study focused on infants born in Ireland between March and May 2020, during the height of the pandemic. We closely followed 354 families and their babies at different age milestones – six, twelve, and twenty-four months. These visits were particularly significant as they often marked the only occasions these families ventured outside their homes. Surprisingly, we observed that some babies displayed wariness towards our experienced pediatric staff, which parents attributed to their limited exposure to the outside world.
During these visits, we collected extensive information on the babies’ lives and development through questionnaires provided to the parents. However, due to the global lockdown and restrictions, it was challenging to find a comparable control group for the pandemic-born babies. Thus, we compared them to a cohort of babies born in Ireland before the pandemic, although we acknowledged the limitations of this approach.
One significant impact of the lockdown restrictions on these babies was the limited social interactions they had. Activities such as parent and baby groups were canceled, and visits to other homes were prohibited. As a consequence, these infants had limited exposure to extended family members and friends. By the age of six months, only an average of three people, including parents, had kissed the babies, highlighting their minimal interactions with relatives and family friends. Shockingly, one in four babies had not met another child their own age by their first birthday.
Raising a baby during the pandemic presented numerous challenges for parents. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, and emotional struggles became common. However, amidst the hardships, some positive themes emerged. Parents reported increased bonding with their newborns and more quality family time due to the lockdown restrictions.
At the babies’ first birthday, we examined their developmental milestones and found variations compared to pre-pandemic babies. Fewer of the pandemic-born babies had spoken their first word, pointed or waved goodbye, while slightly more babies had started crawling. These differences can be attributed to several factors, including reduced exposure to language due to limited outings, lack of new stimuli in the home environment to point at, and increased exploration at home.
At age two, we further investigated the developmental differences observed earlier, focusing on communication skills. We assessed whether the children could construct simple sentences, correctly point at objects, and follow basic commands. The pandemic-born children still exhibited slightly lower scores in the communication section of the questionnaire, even after considering factors such as maternal education and the child’s age.
Despite the challenges faced by pandemic-born babies, there is some reassuring news. These babies displayed similar scores to those born before the pandemic in other developmental areas, including motor skills and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, there were no significant differences in reported behavior between pandemic-born babies and their pre-pandemic counterparts. It is worth noting that research groups in other countries have also reported slightly lower developmental scores among babies born shortly before or during the pandemic.
As pandemic measures gradually lift, it is crucial for all babies born during this period to explore the world around them. Families should actively seek opportunities for their babies to interact with a broader range of people, including relatives and friends. Playgroups serve as valuable settings for babies to socialize with their peers. Furthermore, engaging in conversations with babies and reading to young children has been proven to have numerous benefits for their development.
Regular developmental screening, often offered through national programs, is essential for all babies. If families have any specific concerns about their child’s development, it is vital to consult healthcare providers for further evaluation. Early identification of developmental issues allows for timely and targeted support to be provided to children in need.
Our study shed light on the experiences of babies born during the pandemic and their subsequent development. While some developmental variations were observed, particularly in communication skills, the overall findings indicate that these pandemic-born babies have similar developmental trajectories as those born before the pandemic. By understanding the impact of the pandemic on this generation, we can better support their growth and ensure a bright future for all.
Leave a Reply