Need help from fellow Germ-o-phobes

[1rockinmamato2]

Whatever works for you with your children is okay by me, but I must mention something I witnessed awhile back. Please do not change your baby on the table in a restaurant. That happened awhile back while I was eating at The Earl of Sandwhich at DTD. It was not something I cared to watch (or smell) while eating. I have a strong stomach, but this was a bit much even for me. I'm not suggesting that anyone here would do this, it is just something I found to be amazing. It always comes to mind now when I sit at one of the tables in the restaurant.

That is soooo gross!

Although I'd never use a public changing table, I'd never use a restaurant table to change a diaper. That is insane and I can't believe anyone would ever do that. That's one more reason for me to use the placemats for the kids on restaurant tables.

 

[Feralpeg]

That is soooo gross!

Although I'd never use a public changing table, I'd never use a restaurant table to change a diaper. That is insane and I can't believe anyone would ever do that. That's one more reason for me to use the placemats for the kids on restaurant tables.

Yes, it actually cleared a number of nearby tables pretty quickly. I did mention to one of the managers before I left that they might want to wipe the table down after the family vacated.

 

[Kimmie5870]

OP
Thanks for starting this thread. I'm not a germaphobe but my daughter has a weak immune system among other issues so we have to be a little more careful than we would if DD were healthy.

We had all just passed our physicals a few days prior to arriving at WDW, so she caught it while there, of this the specialists were totally positive. Tiger

I've seen you say this a couple of times now and I swore I'd never say this to anyone on here, but......I find that very hard to believe.
Unless you were in a sterile bubble from the time you had your physical to the time you arrived at Disney that specialist couldn't/wouldn't positively tell you that your child picked up those germs at Disney World. Your DD could have picked that germ up just walking back through the doctors office after her physical or anywhere else in between there and Disney. Seriously,if this is true I would have asked that doctor what he'd been smoking.

 

[2poohbears]

That being said, does anyone have some special "rituals" for dining out with tots? Specific placemats that work best, floppy seats, etc. I have a shopping cart cover and I think it'll be too big to use on a highchair(not to mention bulky, it's quilted). We haven't taken DS out to dinner with us since he was in his infant seat. Any, and all, ideas welcome

I like these disposable place mats because they feature the alphabet with pictures or numbers with pictures to count. I also found some alphabet stickers at the dollar store that I carry with me so we can match the letters while we wait for our dinner order, or sometimes we just use crayons to trace the letters and numbers, etc. It makes for a fun and educational activity while we're waiting - and keeps the kiddos occupied!
http://www.babybungalow.com/didodi.html

I've also used these - they were great when the boys were just starting to table feed and couldn't really do much with the alphabet, etc yet...they're sesame street theme, which the boys love. They work just as well as the others, I just found as the boys got older I was able to occupy them longer with activities using alphabet, numbers, etc...
http://www.amazon.com/Neat-Solution...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1174358306&sr=8-2

About the shopping cart cover---is it the "floppy seat" cover? That's the one I have for my twins and we use it on high chairs all of the time (high chairs are truly disgusting).

I also use these - they are called "drink deputies". They let you attach your child's bottle or sippy cup to their car seat, stroller, high chair, etc so they don't throw it out or on the floor. You can adjust the length to whatever you're attaching them to, & they are easy to use. They're one of my favorite child products:
http://www.burdickbaby.com/drinkdeputy.html

 

[karenTX]

That being said, does anyone have some special "rituals" for dining out with tots? Specific placemats that work best, floppy seats, etc. I have a shopping cart cover and I think it'll be too big to use on a highchair(not to mention bulky, it's quilted). We haven't taken DS out to dinner with us since he was in his infant seat. Any, and all, ideas welcome

Yes I do!!! We use the high chair cover from Fisher-Price but the Eddie Bauer one at Target is the same thing. It's lightweight, folds very small, attaches with velcro, and is machine washable. For the table, we use the Table Toppers that are plastic and stick down with 2 strips of adhesive. Target has Dora and Sponge Bob while BRU has these 2 and Pooh Bear. They come in packs of 20, I think for around $7-9 depending on where you get them. We also bring DD's take & toss cups with us. Not for the germ factor but that why she can hold the drink herself if they serve it in a spillable cup & straw. Although, I think most places are getting better and using the non-spillable cups for kids now. HTH!!

 

[2poohbears]

We also bring DD's take & toss cups with us. Not for the germ factor but that why she can hold the drink herself if they serve it in a spillable cup & straw. Although, I think most places are getting better and using the non-spillable cups for kids now. HTH!!

I'll 2nd this one. When the boys were younger and didn't quite have the hang of drinking through straws I had to use the take n toss cups a lot! I still keep a few in my car because some retaurants don't have small enough cups for the kids and it makes it difficult for them to drink without our help.

 

[leighe]

I prefer to prevent the spread of disease, either to my family or to others in the community, by frequent hand washing and using basic common sense. I know I can't prevent all illnesses for my children and I don't want to because I know exposure to certain illnesses (but not all) increases immunity.

I would say that's just common sense, not being "obsessed." I do those things too and don't encourage my daughter to eat anymore dirt than she already does either. But that's also not the same thing as frantically spraying down any/all surfaces DD might come into contact with with Lysol, Clorox wipes, whatever or using Purell 100X a day, etc. (and I'm not implying you do those things either, but some one this thread have insinuated as much.) I'm just trying to understand. I, personally, could not function normally on a day to day basis if I spent so much time worrying about something my daughter might touch or catch.

And I'd also like to add that DD has always been almost ridiculously healthy (1 minor cold in 14 months) so I can't even imagine what some of you must have gone through that have had preemies or seriously ill children. That might make me more or a germ-o-phobe as well. Hugs to everyone who has had to deal with something so scary.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

And I'd also like to add that DD has always been almost ridiculously healthy (1 minor cold in 14 months) so I can't even imagine what some of you must have gone through that have had preemies or seriously ill children. That might make me more or a germ-o-phobe as well. Hugs to everyone who has had to deal with something so scary.

I think DS being sick all the time has made me more aware of the germs he may come in contact with and I'm careful with DD too because if she gets sick, then DS will be next. DS doesn't have a very strong immune system and he at a cold about every two weeks (and ear infections - tubes are scheduled for next month). DS also has special needs (severe reflux resulting from an esophageal repair at birth and a radial club hand) so we get ou fair share of doctor visits around here.

I'm so anxious for this cold and flu season to be over! Each month he gets a Synagis injection to protect him from RSV and he got two rounds of the flu vaccine this year.

DD is getting the Rotavirus vaccine at each of her well-baby checkups and we just try to keep her away from crowded areas.

This makes the second winter in a row I've had an infant. We don't plan on anymore adoptions in the very
near future rolleyes1 )so hopefully next winter we'll have two babies with more mature immune systems
and I can relax (a little ) about their germ exposure.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I've seen you say this a couple of times now and I swore I'd never say this to anyone on here, but......I find that very hard to believe. Unless you were in a sterile bubble from the time you had your physical to the time you arrived at Disney that specialist couldn't/wouldn't positively tell you that your child picked up those germs at Disney World. Your DD could have picked that germ up just walking back through the doctors office after her physical or anywhere else in between there and Disney. Seriously,if this is true I would have asked that doctor what he'd been smoking.

Now, no fair using common sense!

 

[ekball]

Wow. I USED to think I was an 'aware' mom. I work in a hospital. I am certainly 'aware' of germs, and I thought I did a decent job of keeping my kids as clean and germ-free as possible. We wash hands, I use purell, anti-bac wipes, etc.

Now I know, without a shadow of a doubt, I am a novice. I know nothing.

Thank you all for the education. I'll take some of the information I've read, and I'll leave some of it as well.... That's the beauty of a public message board.

 

[Dead-metal]

Why do people like you continue to post here? If you don't like this image (and I pray you never have to deal with a seriously ill child), then go find some other board to play on!

Tiger

Freedom of speech?!

I've read this thread and I'm frankly staggered of the lengths some people go to to keep "germ free". I'm the father of two children and my wife and I have never gone to the lengths that some of the people on here have gone to. If you choose then it's a free country but my attitude is to build up a resistance to bugs.

 

[grlpwrd]

I can understand being careful and clean to an extent, but do you realize that many cleansers are dangerous to our kids? The harsh chemicals being used to disinfect everything under the sun are hard on your immune system and kill the helpful bacteria that your body needs to stay healthy. These are some of the issues we discuss at the forums on mothering.com .

Ironically, overdoing it may just be jeoparding the health of your kids. (I can understand health and allergy concerns. I am talking about overdoing it in general.)

Also, hand sanitizers are made mostly with alcohol. Repeated use of alcohol dries out the skin and, therefore, this prolonged use of alcohol-based sanitizers has the potential of damaging the body’s main protection against disease. (I remember that in one of our long discussions that the mothering.com boards.)

Hand sanitizers are also not removing any dirt or microscopic material present. This dirt or microscopic material must be washed off effectively first in order for the hand sanitizer to kill any pathogens otherwise the sanitizer’s effectiveness is very limited.

Did you know they did a study and found a work computer has more germs then a public toilet? Ewwwww.

I feel I can pass this information on to others in the name of good (natural!) health...

 

[meandtheguys2]

I can understand being careful and clean to an extent, but do you realize that many cleansers are dangerous to our kids? The harsh chemicals being used to disinfect everything under the sun are hard on your immune system and kill the helpful bacteria that your body needs to stay healthy. These are some of the issues we discuss at the forums on mothering.com .

Ironically, overdoing it may just be jeoparding the health of your kids. (I can understand health and allergy concerns. I am talking about overdoing it in general.)

Also, hand sanitizers are made mostly with alcohol. Repeated use of alcohol dries out the skin and, therefore, this prolonged use of alcohol-based sanitizers has the potential of damaging the body’s main protection against disease. (I remember that in one of our long discussions that the mothering.com boards.)

Hand sanitizers are also not removing any dirt or microscopic material present. This dirt or microscopic material must be washed off effectively first in order for the hand sanitizer to kill any pathogens otherwise the sanitizer’s effectiveness is very limited.

Did you know they did a study and found a work computer has more germs then a public toilet? Ewwwww.

I feel I can pass this information on to others in the name of good (natural!) health...

WOW, I totally missed that point! I would much rather take my chances with germs than some of the cleaning chemicals!

My poor husband hates working with people's keyboards!

 

[1rockinmamato2]

Freedom of speech?!

I've read this thread and I'm frankly staggered of the lengths some people go to to keep "germ free". I'm the father of two children and my wife and I have never gone to the lengths that some of the people on here have gone to. If you choose then it's a free country but my attitude is to build up a resistance to bugs.

For goodness sake! Why in the world does everyone insist on "building up a resistance" by exposing my child to germs unnecessarily? I can't wrap my brain around the thought that, for example, allowing my son to chew on my shoe is doing him a great big favor in life.

Futhermore, I guess I'm just shocked at how many people come into a thread clearly for "fellow" germ conscious folks to state how over the top we are just for the sake of stirring up trouble.

Also, I'm glad we live in a country that allows freedom of speech, but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I can't remember ever exposing your child to anything, but then again my kids have probably chewed on a shoe on occasion.

I thought that grlpwd made a really good point about the chemical contamination. I am looking forward to a response to it. I live in "chemical valley," though, so that colors my opinion.

 

[jodifla]

Building up resistance is key to fighting off germs in life. That's why people are so insistent upon the idea.

And I think changing kids in public is pretty rude when there's a way to avoid it. It's what bathrooms are for, after all.

I marvel at the changing in the stroller idea....what happens when the fabric gets dirty? Hardly sanitary at all!

 

[MELSMICE]

Building up resistance is key to fighting off germs in life. That's why people are so insistent upon the idea.

And I think changing kids in public is pretty rude when there's a way to avoid it. It's what bathrooms are for, after all.

I marvel at the changing in the stroller idea....what happens when the fabric gets dirty? Hardly sanitary at all!

I completely agree. It is very unsanitary to change a baby on something fabric covered that can't be washed immediately.

 

[Dead-metal]

For goodness sake! Why in the world does everyone insist on "building up a resistance" by exposing my child to germs unnecessarily? I can't wrap my brain around the thought that, for example, allowing my son to chew on my shoe is doing him a great big favor in life.

Futhermore, I guess I'm just shocked at how many people come into a thread clearly for "fellow" germ conscious folks to state how over the top we are just for the sake of stirring up trouble.

Also, I'm glad we live in a country that allows freedom of speech, but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

I'm not suggesting that you let your child chew on shoes, what I'm saying is that I don't think that making your life too clean to be a good idea.

I didn't post on this thread to cause trouble, as I stated. I never realised that people were so paranoid.

Why shouldn't I use my right for free speech? I can and should.

 

[U2_rocks!]

For goodness sake! Why in the world does everyone insist on "building up a resistance" by exposing my child to germs unnecessarily?

Because it's TRUE! This idea is actually backed by science.

There are many kinds of "germs" that serve different functions in our bodies. Believe it or not, there are actually many bacteria that help our bodies to digest food and perform other functions! And even those that don't actually perform a specific function but are generally benign help us by keeping the population of "nasty" bugs at a minimum!

What happens when we kill too many of the weaker, benign germs? We allow the stronger, nastier bugs to multiply (they do this because suddenly there are greater resources i.e. food available for them).

As our bodies are exposed to various kinds of germs (bacteria and viruses) they experience an immune response. This response leaves behind an "action plan" for when the body is exposed to this type of organism again in the future. It's called "immunity" - our body simply learns how to mount a good defence at the first sign of that now-familiar invader, which mans it gets killed pronto. Therefore, kids who are exposed to many different types of germs develop many different strategies for dealing with the next exposure, and over time they become very good at killing these things before they multiply enough to cause symptoms of illness.

Yes, they can get unlucky and get hit with a few unknown germs one after the other, which will weaken them for a while. Thus they may appear to go through quite a "sickly" phase. But they will get the long-term effects later on - and maybe when important exams and things like that come up later in their lives they will not be ill for them! When they are little and have no important sports events and exams is the time for them to get sick!

Obviously there are "nasty" bugs out there, which is why we practice good bathroom and eating hygiene, as this is where you find most "nasty" bugs. But you can't kill them all, and the strongest ones will often find a way to get through the "blitz" of cleaning chemicals anyway. The harsh cleaning chemicals kill the poor weaker germs (that don't cause serious illness, or any illness at all in many cases) and leave the strongest, most deadly ones. Also, the use of indiscriminate antibiotics over the years hasn't helped things - it has only facilitated the development of resistant strains of bacteria, which aren't going to be killed by your Purell or Lysol!

If a person is immune-deficient for some reason, then it's a whole other ballgame. But for most people, reasonable hygiene with soap and water is all that is required to stay healthy.

Thus ends my public service announcement for the day!

I hope I haven't offended anyone. I just wanted to be sure that the germaphobes realized that what they were doing may not be the best long-term strategy. If you still feel the need to disinfect everything then go for it .... but just know that, unless you have a child with immune deficiencies, you really don't need to!!

 

[Tiger926]

For goodness sake! Why in the world does everyone insist on "building up a resistance" by exposing my child to germs unnecessarily? I can't wrap my brain around the thought that, for example, allowing my son to chew on my shoe is doing him a great big favor in life.

Futhermore, I guess I'm just shocked at how many people come into a thread clearly for "fellow" germ conscious folks to state how over the top we are just for the sake of stirring up trouble.

Also, I'm glad we live in a country that allows freedom of speech, but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

Excellent post! Just because one may exercise their freedom of speech (one of the most over used phrases in society, IMHO), doesn't mean they are exercising their freedom of intelligence either.

Tiger