TY - JOUR
T1 - The implications of face mask wearing for babies and families during the COVID-19 pandemic: A discussion
AU - Staff, Mrs Lynette
AU - Green, Janet
AU - Bromley, Patricia
AU - Jones, Linda
AU - Petty, Julia
N1 - © 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is the accepted manuscript version of an abstract which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.159
PY - 2022/9/30
Y1 - 2022/9/30
N2 - COVID-19 has changed the way that newborn babies are cared for within the neonatal setting, and infants in the first year of their lives, due to the introduction of social distancing and the wearing of face masks to limit the spread of the infection. Potential implications of these practices exist, related to the normal development of attachment, face processing and recognition by the infant, and connections with others. This paper discusses the importance of face-to-face interactions in relation to these within the context of developmental theory. Mask wearing can potentially impact relational communication, requiring us to change our current ways of working. The possible implications of decreasing face-to-face interactions for the infant and relational communication are discussed, along with key recommendations for both parents and health professionals to mitigate the potential long-term effects on development related to human connection and attachment.
AB - COVID-19 has changed the way that newborn babies are cared for within the neonatal setting, and infants in the first year of their lives, due to the introduction of social distancing and the wearing of face masks to limit the spread of the infection. Potential implications of these practices exist, related to the normal development of attachment, face processing and recognition by the infant, and connections with others. This paper discusses the importance of face-to-face interactions in relation to these within the context of developmental theory. Mask wearing can potentially impact relational communication, requiring us to change our current ways of working. The possible implications of decreasing face-to-face interactions for the infant and relational communication are discussed, along with key recommendations for both parents and health professionals to mitigate the potential long-term effects on development related to human connection and attachment.
U2 - 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.159
DO - 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.159
M3 - Article
SN - 1871-5192
VL - 35
SP - 56
JO - Women and Birth
JF - Women and Birth
IS - 1
T2 - Australian College of Midwives National Conference - Together at the Top
Y2 - 15 September 2022 through 15 September 2022
ER -