I have been very cautious about my 7 mth old son coming in contact with too many germs. My hands are dry and cracking from washing stuff constantly. I was never this bad with cleaning before I had him. I don't let him play with toys from other people's houses. He went to the doctor's last month for his immunizations and our doctor gave him a toy that was in his office to play with while he examined him and I almost started hyperventilating. My husband said he could tell I was visibly uncomfortable. My pulse was racing. Am I losing my mind? His grandparents let him chew on old dirty toys and I get really panicky inside and always end up taking him to do something else like change him just to get the toy away. Everyone tells me he needs to build up his immune system so coming in contact with lots of germs is good for him, but I still can't stop doing the things I'm doing. I am worried that by cleaning everything so much that I am hurting him in some way. What are your thoughts on this?
2006-11-19 10:05:06 · 7 answers · asked by Sexy_Bunny 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Yes if you are washing to the point your hands are cracking you are probably going a little over the top.
It could be that you have developed OCD or something similar. If all the hormone shifts can cause depression why can't they cause other mental illness. You should discuss this with your doctor and your son's doctor. Your doctor can evaluate you, and your son's doctor can tell you what is safe for your child.
FYI toxic cleaners (like bleach, Lysol, etc) are probably far worse for his immune system than germs.
I let my son eat the sand at the playground, and the grass in the park. He chews on the grocery cart. I could go on and on. And you know what? Right now my husband and I have terrible head colds that we have been fighting for over a week and my son is perfectly healthy. (Of course my son eats better and gets enough sleep unlike the adults).
Please try to relax and seek some help if you can't curtail this on your own. Go to some mommy groups and see how other moms are, maybe that will help. Maybe not.
Take care.
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Other advice for those of you that carry anti-bacterial wipes. Many of these wipes contribute to germs becoming antibiotic resistant, which we do not want. Consider carrying the alcohol gels (or the bottles of pure alcohol available at drug stores-you can make your own wipes if you get good quality paper towels or even paper cloth available at certain drugstores) and some paper towels instead. Germs do not become resistant to alcohol, alcohol is also food safe, and if you use pure alcohol it leaves no residue.
Health Canada is considering banning antibacterial products except the ones that contain alcohol and certain plant extracts because of this problem.
2006-11-19 10:14:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think you ar being too overly cautious. Let your son play with toys that may not be sterile. He needs to be exposed to germs now when he is little. You cannot protect him from germs forever. When he gets to kindergarten he will be one of those kids who is always absent because he is sick. He will catch everything under the sun because his immune system did not have a chance to develop properly. He will be sick all the time and will be at home recovering instead of being at school learning. He may get behind in his studies and need to repeat a grade or two. Is this what you want? I'm not saying that you need to let him eat dirt or play with anything that is overly filthy. But playing with the toys at a friend's house or mouthing things that have not been sterilized in the last five minutes are okay to play with. Take a deep breath and let your son be a kid and get dirty and play with toys. Good luck!
2006-11-19 10:16:35 · answer #2 · answered by Garden Girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think you need to relax. he is going to go to school someday and the park. you can't keep him away from germs forever. he needs to build up an immune for them you are hurting him but not on purpose. don't allow him to eat dirt or touch stuff thats really bad but a toy at a friends house or grandmas is fine. i would not let him touch anything at the doctors offices sick kids play with that stuff. don't hold on to him too tight or he will fight to get away. good luck.
2006-11-19 10:13:05 · answer #3 · answered by littleluvkitty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that you are going overboard. You need to learn to relax a little. I don't let my children play with the toys at the Dr office either. I do allow them to play with toys at friends houses. You may need to seek professional help.
2006-11-19 10:13:54 · answer #4 · answered by JS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes he will probably develop major allergies if kept too clean. perhaps asthma, a weaker immune system. i was the same way about germs. there is a limit, however, if things are noticibaly nasty. but kids have been eating nasty things and playing with nasty toys since the beginning of time. i carry around lysol wipes with me. they put me at ease.
2006-11-19 10:12:46 · answer #5 · answered by Kiwi 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your being overly-cautious, some germs are even good for babies.
Good luck with your son.
=)
2006-11-19 10:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by Divegirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to chill out, some yes there is a thing of over doing it and you are.
Sit back and relax some enjoy your baby more
2006-11-19 10:15:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋