Gerald Giesbrecht – The Conversation

There was a very small increase in number of children at risk of developmental delay compared to babies born before the pandemic. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

March 10, 2025

‘Pandemic babies’ turn 5: Here’s what research tells us about their development and remarkable resilience

Gerald Giesbrecht, University of Calgary; Catherine Lebel, University of Calgary, and Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, University of British Columbia

Our research has found that most pandemic-born children have been remarkably resilient to the disruptions caused by COVID.

Scientists and physicians raised concerns early in the pandemic that increased parental stress, COVID infections, reduced interactions with other babies and adults, and changes to health care may affect child development. (Shutterstock)

May 29, 2023

Pandemic babies’ developmental milestones: Not as bad as we feared, but not as good as before

Gerald Giesbrecht, University of Calgary; Catherine Lebel, University of Calgary, and Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, University of British Columbia

Research findings are mostly reassuring for parents — despite the disruptions to nearly every aspect of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, most children continue to show healthy development.

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