Getting mask to stay on young child

[Anonymous]

I have been trying to get my 18 month old to wear a mask when we go indoors for things. It is impossible. I am nervous about the Delta variant and how contagious it is and figure masking is the only thing we can do with the unvaccinated right now. What are you doing with your kids 2 and under to get them to wear masks?

[Anonymous]

because masks are not for babies. My pediatricians office has signs everywhere stating to not mask anyone under 2. If you are so concerned don’t take your kid inside. This isn’t hard. If you think an 18 month old is going to wear a mask properly in a way that would be protective, you are insane.

[Anonymous]

You should not mask a child under two. Ask your pediatrician if you don’t believe us. Just stay away from crowds, public places and unvaccinated people.

[Anonymous]

Op here - that is not always possible if you have older children. Sometimes we have to go places together.

[Anonymous]

I have a 20 month old and I just don’t put a mask on him. I’m sure he’d just rip it off his face anyway. We went everywhere together even during the winter surge when no one was vaccinated and it was perfectly fine.

[Anonymous]

Either your 18 month old doesn’t wear a mask and you keep them home or you take the risk. It’s not hard. Do you really honestly believe it would be anything more than (unsafe!!) security theater?

[Anonymous]

Don't break CDC guidelines and mask a kid under 2. You don't know better than expert doctors. We have a 21-month-old and while we do plan to let her try on masks at home to get used to it and make it "fun" so that she's prepared to wear them at 2 on planes and such, we don't mask her regularly. We just keep her in a stroller or highchair in public and keep her away from people as much as possible. We don't take her to the store much, we eat outside a lot and we don't do play dates. She is in daycare and that is by far her largest source of risk.

[Anonymous]

Most of the COVID cases in toddlers that I personally know of have been from close contact, btw, OP. Not from going to the grocery store. Like, nanny gets sick, someone at daycare gets sick, family member gets sick....etc. So that should reassure you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 20 month old and I just don’t put a mask on him. I’m sure he’d just rip it off his face anyway. We went everywhere together even during the winter surge when no one was vaccinated and it was perfectly fine.

This was before Delta though....I still wouldn't mask an 18mo though. Just stick to outdoor activities OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: because masks are not for babies. My pediatricians office has signs everywhere stating to not mask anyone under 2. If you are so concerned don’t take your kid inside. This isn’t hard. If you think an 18 month old is going to wear a mask properly in a way that would be protective, you are insane.

Same for a two year old.

[Anonymous]

Mandala scrubs makes kids masks that go behind the head. My 2 yo has a harder time with the ear ones