Germs and people who don't care! - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Paet · 09-19-2006, 08:08 PM

Ok, it is my opinion that a 5 month old baby doesn't need to be sick yet.
She'll get sick later when she's playing with friends and I can't control it.
So, why should I let her get sick now?

My husband's sister from Europe is visiting and she keeps doing things like
putting my baby's hand in her mouth, letting my baby suck on her fingers
(even after we picked her up at the airport!!!!) etc..... and she told me
her philosophy is that we should let our babies eat dirt (apparently to
build up immunity). I'm sorry, but my baby doesn't need to build up her
immunity NOW.

Besides, there are plenty of spreadable diseases that NOBODY has immunity to, such as strep throat. Also, do I REALLY want my baby to catch Rotavirus? I don't think so.

I already told her not to let her suck on her fingers, but now she puts
her hand in her mouth. (This is also going to teach my baby how to bite!!)

My baby just woke up screaming tonight with a severe stuffed up nose.
I'm so furious. I can guarantee you that if I say something, the visitor will be
offended and I risk ticking off my husband.

My baby has all her life to get sick. It doesn't have to be NOW. The younger she is, the more dangerous it is!

Sorry, had to vent.

2 more weeks and the visitor is out of here.
Why can't she just respect my wishes? She's going to turn up her nose
and hate me now when I speak up. OH WELL. I love my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paula

Sherbet · 09-20-2006, 02:16 AM

Hi Paula...

I can sympathise with you, it's hard when your little baby gets a cold for the first time. But keeping her in a vacuum sealed bubble is the only way she won't get sick. In their first year of life infants get an average of 9 colds! And that's just the colds... When they get a cold it builds upon their immune system so each cold virus adds to their immunity history. Its a nasty process but a necessary one that's, for the most part, out of our control.

My dd was five months when she got her first cold. Its quite stressful for both baby and parents but the next cold will be easier as both of you will know what is going on.

debating · 09-20-2006, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulaRoet

and she told me
her philosophy is that we should let our babies eat dirt (apparently to
build up immunity

I have to say that I agree with her. I have a theory - we treat our children like glass, they will break like glass.

With the exception of public restaurants and public restrooms, "anything goes" around here. We have 3 dogs, and I grew up in horse pens. I'd clean 10 stalls, groom 10 horses, then sit down and eat lunch without ever washing my hands. I think I've had 4 colds in my entire life (one of which I am just now getting over, for which Ava didn't receive a single sniffle over).

Being exposed to dirt and germs IS good for children. If you keep your baby in a sterile bubble, you are setting her up for getting sick. The minute she is exposed to something her immune system won't know how to handle it.

I would also go easy on your SIL about your baby being sick. The incubation period for a cold can be as long as a week, so if your SIL just arrive, chances are she didn't make your baby sick. If she has been there that long, just keep in mind that airplanes are NOTORIOUS for spreading illness. Think about it, you're sitting in recycled air for the duration of your flight, and you're basically breathing everyone else's air. Clean people who are freaks about germs get sick JUST from sitting on a plane. It's very possible she carried something into your home, and it's very possible your Babe got sick without her sticking her finger in her mouth.

We also don't use antibacterial, antimicrobial, or antiviral cleaners or soaps.

I dunno, I'm just not a germaphobe. It doesn't seem like she did anything wrong to me. Sorry.

Having said that, I DO think it's rude of her not to honor your wishes. She is still a guest in your house, and she should still do as you want while she's there.

And don't worry, letting your baby chew or suck on hands won't cause a biter! LOL We don't use pacifiers in this house, so Ava will often grab my hand and chew or suck on it. It's totally normal. People survived this way LOOOOOONG before pacifiers were invented. A baby's oral fixation now has no bearing on whether or not they'll turn into a biting toddler.

weepyone · 09-20-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North_of_60

I have to say that I agree with her. I have a theory - we treat our children like glass, they will break like glass.

We also don't use antibacterial, antimicrobial, or antiviral cleaners or soaps.

I dunno, I'm just not a germaphobe. It doesn't seem like she did anything wrong to me. Sorry.

Having said that, I DO think it's rude of her not to honor your wishes. She is still a guest in your house, and she should still do as you want while she's there.

And don't worry, letting your baby chew or suck on hands won't cause a biter! LOL We don't use pacifiers in this house, so Ava will often grab my hand and chew or suck on it. It's totally normal. People survived this way LOOOOOONG before pacifiers were invented. A baby's oral fixation now has no bearing on whether or not they'll turn into a biting toddler.

i have to agree with north. there are some people i know who i would not lilke ds to suck on but in his teething and oral stage he puts everything in his mouth including toys other babys have sucked on at nursery. i don't know where in europe your visitor is from but we are not abnormal here lol you worded it like we are weird lol. anyway when i was little i used to put worms and soil in my mouth yuck but i never got ill from it. i also do not sterilise ds bowls i just wash them with soapy water. i think sometimes we can be too over fearful - god knows i can be sometimes. i think your main issue is that you don't want your baby sucking just any old stranger which is fair enough. i would keep your baby away from the visitor if it stressing you so much.

Paet · 09-20-2006, 06:00 AM

You don't understand. I'm not keeping her in a bubble.

NOBODY IS IMMUNE TO STREP, E-Coli, and other bacteria.
She will also get sickon her own when she plays with her friends later.

You do NOT put your hands all over a filthy airport and then stick
them in a baby's mouth. It's irresponsible.

She will get sick later. She doesn't need to suffer now.

So, all of you just don't wash your hands? All science is false?

This is what I get for posting here. I guess all the government classes in daycare I took are wrong and the years in working in childcare are null. Go ahead. Make your babies sick. It's your perogative.