Babies and children

Children breathe more air for their size and their lungs are still growing. Clean sleep and play spaces matter more than masks, and babies under 2 should never wear one.

Not a substitute for medical adviceThis page summarises public-health guidance. Follow the advice of the doctor who knows the person's history. Emergency: 112.

Why children are more vulnerable

They breathe faster and take in more air for their body weight than adults.
Their lungs and immune systems are still developing. Long-term exposure is linked to reduced lung growth.
They are active, often outdoors, and closer to the ground and vehicle exhausts.
Babies can’t tell you they feel unwell.

Babies and toddlers (under 2)

No masks or respirators of any kind. WHO, CDC and paediatric groups agree: they are a choking and suffocation risk, and a baby can’t remove one.
Make the nursery the clean room: a properly sized purifier running continuously, door closed, no smoke from any source in the home.
Shorten outings on Poor or worse days, avoid pram walks along busy roads, and keep car windows up with recirculation on.
Breastfeeding, vaccinations and routine check-ups carry on as normal. Don’t miss them.

Children (2–12)

Clean bedroom and play space at home, with indoor active play on bad days.
Masks: children aged 2 and over can wear a respirator, but NIOSH-approved respirators don’t come in sizes for young children, and finding one that fits is hard, especially under about 6. For an older child, an adult-small N95/FFP2 may fit: use it only if it seals, the child is comfortable and can remove it, and an adult supervises. Never during sports. Moving them to cleaner indoor air is the most effective step. See the mask chooser.
School: ask about classroom purifiers and indoor recess on bad days. See school runs and classrooms.
Asthma: follow the written asthma action plan. Make sure the reliever inhaler (with spacer for younger children) goes to school.

Interactive · resets daily

Child: daily checklist

Checked the AQI for the school run and outdoor plans.
Child’s bedroom or play room purifier running, door closed.
School route: quieter roads, windows up and recirculation in the car, no idling at the gate.
Indoor active play planned on Poor or worse days.
Inhaler (if prescribed) packed in the school bag; school knows the action plan.
Watched for night cough, wheeze, fast breathing or tiredness.

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Signs to watch

Coughing, especially at night or after play
Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out)
Fast breathing, or the skin pulling in between the ribs or at the base of the throat
Unusual tiredness, poor feeding in babies

Call 112 or go to emergency if a child has severe trouble breathing, is refusing food or fluids, is unusually sleepy or floppy, or looks pale or blue around the lips.

Pregnancy

See pregnancy: protecting the parent’s air also protects the baby.