Handwashing?

Question

I am obsessant when it comes to handwashing before people touch my baby (9 mo.). I always have been. Of course, some people get offended thinking you are telling them they are dirty. I am not telling anyone they are dirty but I think it's just good practice to wash hands. Am I overboard?

Answer 1

I was the same way when my boys were both newborn (up to probably about 6 months). Now, I don't mind so much (they're 11 months and 27 months old). I don't think you're being overboard about it...you don't know where the hell peoples' hands have been before they touch your baby! Handwashing (or lackthereof) is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. I get so sick and tired of coming out of the bathroom at the moves/mall/restaurant and see women who come out of the stall, run their hands through their hair, and go out the door. EEEW. Or worse yet, the ones who turn on a trickle of cold water and rinse just the finger tips of their one hand and then go. It's #$&%*^# disgusting if you ask me. I was raised by my grandmother (an RN) who taught me the importance of handwashing at a young age. And for those of you who don't know...FRICTION is what kills germs, not soap. Soap just removes dirt. That's why you're supposed to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds...the rubbing kills the germs.

(Hopping down off of soap box) OK, I'm done. :D

Answer 2

I wouldnt say its common to require everyone to wash their hands before touching your 9 month old, most parents realize that the baby ingests things on its own that are far more germ infested than someones hands.

Ive never known anyone that was that crazy about, or a child who suffered poor health due to it.

Although i will admit that even I will wash my hands before handling someones child, since its just common sense and thoughtful. Or ask someone to wash their hands (especially another child) if i know theyre dirty. But just every day things, such as a sibling running around the house... its in the same environment as the baby, so why bother?

I think you're jsut the mother of one child, some things will seem a little less serious when you have a couple more. But i dont think its a huge issue, i think you seem pretty normal for where you are.

Answer 3

A little bit over board, I too dont like dirty hands touching my baby, but at the same time you arent going to be able to shield baby from germs for ever...so didnt you ever think that one day when she does get exposed to some common every day germ she will have no immunity to them and get sick...some times being a germ phobe isnt necessarily the best.
Save the handwashing rule for the kids, the smokers and the people with noticably dirty hands.

Answer 4

You are not overboard at all! Yes, kids need to get exposed to germs so that they build up their immunity. But it's a balancing act. When people come from off the street, having touched money (the grossest thing out there), bus seats, stair railings etc that a million other grimy hands have touched - you do need to protect your baby. It's your baby - which means your rules. Remember, offense is taken, not given. Which means that people who are being offended by you asking them to wash their hands are just being sensitive to it - you are doing the right thing. Let your kid be exposed to some germs - eating dirt is a great way (my kids love it!), so that they do build up their immunity. But health professionals always say if you want to get less colds, wash your hands often!

Answer 5

I don't blame you! I am the same way! It is just common sense to wash your hands before touching a baby. People don't realize all of the things they touched all day. There are some dirty people out there. Some dig in their pants, nose and hair. They also sneeze and cough in their hands. It's just amazing to me how many people come up to my baby and want to touch her hands. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the attention she gets, but if you want to greet a baby either wash your hands or greet them by their feet. So many infections going around, it's ok to protect your baby.

Answer 6

Of course you dont want your baby to get sick. However, exposing your baby to a few germs when someone wants to hold him/her has actually been proven to be beneficial. It strengthens his/her immune system. Children who are protected too stringently from any kind of germ suffer from weaker immune systems.

Washing your hands is a good practice and it usually prevents the spread of sickness. However, at nine months old, your baby definitely is old enough to be able to fend off a few germs here and there. Generally newborns and preemies benefit from stringent protection.

But the bottom line is that it is your baby and if you want people to wash their hands or use a hand sanitizer before they hold him/her that is ultimately your decision.

Answer 7

Does your baby chew on a lot of fingers? I would want people to wash their hands before they go into baby's mouth, but just for holding, not as much. I mean, the kid crawls all over the floor, where peoples' feet have been, and probably sticks all manner of stuff in his/her mouth. A kid needs some germs in their life, or they will have poor immune sytems, cause they never built them up.

Answer 8

I think you are being a mom and is good that you take care of your baby, usually I carry an antibacterial with me all the time, just keep in mind that some how is good to expose kids to their environment so they can get stronger, when I take my daughter to play outside she touches the grass, the dirt, the leaves from the trees (of course I don´t let her put her hands on her face when she does that), but as soon as she's finish I but antibacterial on her hands and when we get home I wash her hands.

Answer 9

No I don't think you are going overboard...Its your baby and there are alot of germs out there....Its important that adults wash and kept their hands clean so they don't get sick so why would you want their germy hands all over your baby. Any parent or educated person will not be offended...just my opinion.

Answer 10

I understand your concern, but if it is an overwhelming concern, you could visit a psychologist. You may have obsessive-compulsive disorder. But do keep in mind, while you should protect your child, it is important for children to be exposed to some germs, because, for example, types of the flu can only be gotten once, and they are less severe for children than adults.