Kid wearing masks cannot breathe & feel distressed

[Anonymous]

Lots of people, kids included, have aN adjustment period. They just need to slow down their breathing. Breathe three in the rough the nose the. Three out through the mouth. As soon as there is some comfort, then add in activity. She’ll get there.

[Anonymous]

I guess they'll never be doctors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have her wear a neck gaither or bandanna.

Face shield if you need more protection.

Do not use neck gaiter or bandana. Bandanas are not very effective and neck gaiters actually disperse the virus more. CDC just issued something saying this.

Try different masks. Just experiment. I am super sensitive to things touching my face and have asthma and have tolerated some masks much better than others. I find surgical mask with a nose clip is easiest for me.

This advice comes from a medical professional:
“So the best thing to do is wear a face covering whether it's a surgical mask or a cloth mask or a bandana. Make sure that it covers your nose and your mouth. Wear it consistently especially if you're going to be around others in an enclosed space.”
https://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2020-06-22/a-guide-to-summer-coronavirus-safety-with-dr-leana-wen

Op, if she’s hyperventilating, try a different mask or try a different face covering.

[Anonymous]

I've seen videos of doctors wearing multiple masks and pulse oximeters to show they still have plenty of oxygen. Here's one I googled where the doctor is able to breathe fine through 6 masks layered on top of each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5npQivAmcE

I imagine it's just that it's uncomfortable and awkward so she's getting herself worked up over it. I am highly suggestible, myself, and can easily talk myself into concern over a problem that isn't really an issue. In my experience, kids are even more prone to this tendency.

I suggest you either get a pulse oximeter (available at any pharmacy/pharmacy department) or take your child to a clinic/doctor's office and have her O2 levels checked while wearing her mask. I am confident that the mask isn't actually impairing oxygen access. In the unlikely event that her specific mask type is the one exception that causes breathing problems, you can switch to any other mask.

Fwiw, my Dd used to complain every fall when cooler temps meant that she had to switch from shorts to jeans that the jeans hurt her. She'd try on every pair of (identical) jeans she had, only to decide the last pair was wearable. The next day the routine would be repeated, with the only difference being that the pair that was finally deemed acceptable had been rejected as intolerable the day(s) before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for kid to feel having problem in breathing wearing masks for like 5 mins or so after? I get her some cloth mask, and I notice that she starts to breathe through nose, heavy nose breathing, and starts to playing with fingers looking down. I think she is in some distress when she has mask on. Are those symptoms normal for first time mask wearer, a phase or abnormal? Does wearing masks may cause physical or mental or health problem? She is normally a happy & active child. I make her wearing like 20 -30 min or so, all she does was sitting there still trying her best to do her breathing. I am afraid that she may faint or out of breath or something. She needs to wear masks to go back school in thevfall.

There is an adjustment period. It sucks at first to breathe but she’ll adapt.

[Anonymous]

Is she 2+ and can she tell you how she feels? Maybe have her practice wearing the mask in low stress situations, watching a show or in her own backyard, and see if she can get more used to the mask.

[Anonymous]

we also have the old navy ones and they are pretty breathable. try going on walks around the neighborhood with them -- start slow - just around the block, and then work your way up to longer walks on subsequent days. the distraction of the walk may help her not focus on her breathing.

[Anonymous]

Try different masks.

[Anonymous]

I'm a special ed teacher, and I've worked with some of my families to get their kids, who have diagnoses like autism and anxiety, acclimated to masks.

One thing we'll do is to put on a favorite TV show or other screentime activity, and wear masks while watching. If a kid needs a break from the mask, we take a break from the mask, but also from the fun activity. Usually, after a while kids will kind of lose themselves in the activity, and you'll see the amount of time they keep it on. Once a kid can watch a whole episode or movie, then we move on to something that involves a little talking, like baking cookies or playing a board game or building legos while wearing a mask. Most of my kids get up to wearing it for hours pretty quickly.

I'm also the parent of a child with severe lung disease. My kid uses a ventilator, so the mask issue is moot (I put one on him but since he's not breathing through his mouth, it's just for show), but I can tell you that there are many kids with major lung issues who have been wearing masks in medical settings for years. The reality is that most kids, including kids with asthma, and deviated septums, and allergies (some of the excuses I've heard) can wear masks for hours no problem once they're adjusted.

The kids who really can't wear masks, are the kids who were already getting pretty significant amounts of support, whether that's intensive therapy for severe anxiety disorders, or kids with CP who don't have the motor skills to remove their masks, or kids with multiple disabilities and communication challenges who don't understand what is being asked.

[Anonymous]

It's anxiety, OP.

My kid with asthma can breathe in a mask no problem.
But when my anxiety hits, I notice the mask makes things worse for me...

[Anonymous]

Some masks suck to breathe through. Others are better.

I would get her a mask that is a pattern of something she loves over all things. One of my kids wears a mask that looks like a dog nose.

[Anonymous]

She's likely hyperventilating. Walking through target I notice many people are. They take short shallow breaths. It would terrify a kid. Try a more breathable material.

[Anonymous]

Remind her that she ought to breathe. Yes, it is as simple as that. You have a maks, you start "conserving" your breath. Then you think something is wrong and you do not inhale properly. Unless you are making her wear n 95? Those are hard for kids, but not that hard after a few days. I recomend you buy kf 94.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child? As an adult, I’ve tried a variety of masks. I prefer the ones that stick out away from my face so that when I inhale, the fabric isn’t getting sucked in. In your place, I’d start with lighter masks or masks made of different fabrics — crisper vs softer. Then, once she’s found something comfortable, go for masks with filters or additional layers. It’s hard to address this I. A useful way, though, without knowing the age of the child.

[Anonymous]

Some cloth masks are difficult to breath n this type of weather. My 4 and 6 yo like vistaprint masks the most. They are lightweight and you can add a filter if needed.