Did you somehow become a little "GERMOPHOBIC" after becoming a parent?

Question

I did! I'm washing my hands all the time, cleaning all surfaces and things that my daughter may put in her mouth, etc... Did this happen to you?

*****HALT!**** I DID NOT SAY "PREGNANT", I SAID "PARENT".... FOR THOSE LIKE THE NICE LADY WHO ANSWERED FIRST...... (learn how to READ)

Answer 1

Yes Yes Yes!!! I was germophobic before I had my son but, I got alot worse after he was born. I would wash my hands so many times that they were raw! I also cleaned non stop with bleach (mixed w/ water). It must have paid off tho because, my son has never been sick and just got his first ear infection at 13 months.

Answer 2

I think right at first, I became a little of a germophobe......but after a while I felt comfortable with things just being clean and not hospital room sterile. LOL I had to learn how to chill out a little, that every little thing didn't have to be sterile. My kids are now 12, 4 and 3. They are very healthy and happy. Good luck and congrats on being a new dad!!!!!

Answer 3

nope

some minimum special hygiene is required with babies, such as sterilising bottles (if not full breasfeeding) until about the age of 6 months.

for the rest, regular baths.

and washing your hands w soap before handling the baby, if you've just been to the bathroom, or have handled animals, or have worked on your motorcycle, is just basic normal hygiene that you would, i hope, apply before a meal as well.

for the rest, may I remind you that babies come fully equipped with an immune system, and that this immune system is perfectly capable of taking care of most germs (if it were not the case, the human species would have disappeared long ago).


remember: by regularly disinfecting all surfaces with aggressive products, all you're doing is helping natural selection / evolution quickly produce "superbugs" that may end up being so resistant, that they could cause trouble given that your daughter's immune system, while perfectly functioning, is still inexperienced. Remember - they disinfect all the time in hospitals, and this produces some superbugs that, on occasion, resist ALL known antibiotics and can cause horrible problems.


So, just relax!

Answer 4

Well as a mother I went through the whole nesting thing female go through at the end of their pregnancy and it has continued throughout the last 11 months since he has been born. At my house everything has a place and everything has to be clean. I wouldn't worry about being a little germophobic

Answer 5

I wouldnt called myself a "germophobe" but Ive gotten much much cautious and consistant w/ washing my hands. I also put antibacterial stuff on high chairs and tables of restaurants because my son inevitably puts his mouth on them. I dont worry so much about germs at home...babies need some germs to help build their immune systems.

Answer 6

Oh, lord YES! To make matters worse, my baby was in the NICU for 11 days, and you had to scrub up before even walking in there. My hands have aged about 25 years since he was born 12 weeks ago.

Also, I think I'm single-handedly keeping the Purell Hand Sanitizer business alive.

Answer 7

Im becoming right now, my son will come january and Im cleaning everything in sight, I bought hand sanitizer for people when hey come visit and im a little freaked about them holding him

Answer 8

hey its nothing wrong in that.. isn't the feeling of being a father is wonderfull..thats it..u r just being carefull for ur daughter..this is normal... all the new dads do such crazy things..come on..everything has its good..don't always take things in a absurd way.. why thinking stupidly.. the feelings what makes you do these crazy things..should make you feel complete ..thats it.. why bother urself with all that..just be there n enjoy..the feeling..

best of luck to the young family

Answer 9

Nope I let my 6 month old eat the sand in the playground and the grass in the dogpark. Not to mention all the doghairs!

And mopping the floors, I used to do it every week, now I am lucky to do it once a month!

Answer 10

I do wash my hands, but I'm not obsessive about germs. I don't use lysol or chemicals in my home, just vinegar and water on most everything.