On germs
To say I'm a germophobe would be an understatement. I'm the girl who:
- Vigorously wipes down gym equipment before and after using it.
- Hates flying because being trapped in such a small place for a long time with germ infested people makes me quiver.
- Has a bottle of hand sanitizer (or 5) on her person at all times.
A little much? Perhaps. But keep in mind my background is in public health. We are not at the top of the food chain; infectious diseases are. Remember the swine flu outbreak of 2009? I'm sure for a minute- OK maybe just a second- you were freaked out by others' germs, too. Well, I feel that way all the time.
Or at least I did. Then I had Wyatt.
Now?
- I get peed on daily and don't always change my outfit. Urine is sterile, right?
- I get fecal matter on my face and finish changing and feeding Wyatt before I wash myself. I wipe it off right away, but that stuff needs to be scrubbed to be completely clean.
- The bed and I get puked on in the middle of the night and I don't change the sheets until morning. Shhh, don't tell Jeff.
Having a baby really does change everything. Though his germs are the only ones I'm not grossed out by.
I'm still a germophobe to the extreme. It may even be worse now because I want to protect my baby and his compromised immune system from wretched Winter germs, like the flu.
For the time being, Wyatt and I are being hermits. So far, Wyatt has only been to the doctor's office. And I refuse to let people touch him unless they wash their hands first.
I don't know how long to keep our hibernation up though. I definitely have cabin fever and want to do really exciting things, like go grocery shopping. But I also don't want to risk my newborn's health for selfish reasons.
At the same time, I'm not sure it's good for either of us to stay cooped up in a heated house all day long either. We have been going on 30 minute walks with the furball each afternoon, but I'm afraid our time spent in the fresh air may happen less often as the temperatures drop.
My doctor suggested wearing him in a wrap or carrier. Apparently, people are less likely to touch a baby when they're being worn than when they're in a car seat. I honestly don't feel that comfortable wearing him around yet though. He hates the Moby wrap and Baby K'tan and I feel like he's still a bit too teeny for the Ergo or Baby Bjorn.
Of course, I'm not delusional. I know kids get sick often, and I can't shield him from germs forever. I also know exposing him to germs eventually will help boost his immune system. I just want to protect him while he's still a newborn.
I'm at a loss for what to do. I need your help! When did you start taking your baby out? Or what's your best suggestion to keep your baby healthy? Thanks 
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December 19th, 2011 - 18:19
My first was born in January (the middle of flu season) and I started taking him grocery shopping when he was two weeks old. He slept through most of the trips so I kept him in his car seat with the awning up and a blanket over him. This way people couldn’t touch him, it kept him warm and the lights out of his eyes. And once I started shopping I wouldn’t touch him unless I used sanitizer first. Now, with my second, I wear him to the grocery store in a baby bjorn…. and I don’t think anyone has ever tried to touch him.
Good luck!
December 19th, 2011 - 18:28
My parents were not super careful with us, but I am still not allowed to drink from public water fountains or sit on an uncovered toilet.
December 19th, 2011 - 18:29
Haha
December 20th, 2011 - 09:11
LOVE it.
December 19th, 2011 - 18:54
Hey! Fellow germaphobe here! I just took my 8 week old to my husband’s work party where there were 10 people that I know very well. We made it an hour and a half (through eating and a white elephant exchange) and decided to leave. Everything was fine when one person said goodbye by touching his hands after they had touched grease (like the black kind mechanics use). This was after I asked her if she had washed her hands and she said, ‘oh it’s fine.’ and touched my baby’s hands. The same ones he puts in his mouth to suck on. I was pissed (still am- this happened yesterday after all). I couldn’t believe how disrespectful the whole thing was. I’ve decided that from now on I don’t care who I make mad- I am not risking my babe’s health.
December 19th, 2011 - 18:55
I’ve had my baby out since he was 3 days old – in fact, at 5 days old, my mom and I took him to a 3-hour mall trip (necessity – my mom was only here til he was 10 days old. She lives in Germany, and she really wanted to treat me before she leaves). We go on walks daily, we take him grocery shopping once a week and we’ve done quite a few trips to my MIL – even to meet his germ-covered cousins. He hasn’t caught a cold or any sickness yet, and he’s 7 weeks old.
Our pedi just said to keep disinfectant in his diaper bag and to rub our hands with it before we touch him while we’re out.. and obviously not to let any strangers touch/cough him. He said most viruses are transmitted via touch, not the air, so to just make sure anyone who touches him is clean. It’s been working out!
When I was a baby, I apparently loved being outside and my little bean does too.. I was a very healthy kid, so I figure what didn’t hurt me will be fine for my little boy too!
December 19th, 2011 - 18:56
Oh, and I’ve had him in the ergo since he was a week old. I just made sure to stuff a receiving blanket (rolled up) under his butt, one behind his back/neck, and most of the time he’s in it I have a hand behind his head too, “just in case”. His head support is really good now though, so I think I can scratch that in the future.
December 19th, 2011 - 19:09
Can you try different positions in the carriers? I know the “rules” are different now, but I wore both my boys in slings and other carries pretty much from day one and it did keep people’s hands off. Also, breastfeeding is an excellent way to help keep him from getting sick as you’ll pass on some antibodies that way. Don’t be afraid to take him out when it’s cold out – just make sure to dress him appropriately. My second son was out and about from about day 5 and he very seldom caught anything, despite having an older brother in preschool.
December 19th, 2011 - 19:28
Caroline was born in August and I started taking her out within the first two weeks. I wear her almost everywhere and I think you’re doctor is right–people are less likely to touch if they’re in a carrier. However, if I’m just holding her in my arms, it’s like a free for all. I hate it, I don’t know why strangers think it’s okay to touch my baby. Just this evening it happened and I moved Caroline away from the woman and she just moved closer. My husband says not to get upset it’ll just boost her immune system. I hope he’s right but it still drives me crazy. Good luck! Wyatt will love getting out (Caroline can’t stop looking around at all the new places and faces) and so will you.
December 20th, 2011 - 20:00
your doctor. Ugh, mommy brain
December 19th, 2011 - 19:36
I didn’t take my newborn out much at all and somehow she managed to have 2 or 3 rounds of pneumonia, 3-4 rounds of bronchitis, 6 rounds of tonsillitis in just 7 months, and massive food allergies all in her short 22 months…but my 3 older children are incredibly healthy so I think its a malfunction in just this one child. She was breastfed until just 2 months ago and my children are homeschooled so truly its just an issue with one child. I’m all about germ exposure for babies but, well, not THIS child of mine! We run through the house wiping down surfaces with bleachy rags…just today we wiped down ALL the baby toys with disinfectant. *sigh*
December 19th, 2011 - 19:39
Omg you poor thing! How awful!
December 19th, 2011 - 19:38
December 19th, 2011 - 19:51
Our ped said big open spaces were fine, so long as no one touched her or breathed on her. I took her to race for the cure at 2.5 weeks and then started taking her to grocery stores, etc. after that. No one ever tried to touch her in the infant carrier, but I also used the BabyHawk MeiTai from week 1. She was smaller than Wyatt (I think) weighing in at 5 lb. 15 oz. The MeiTai was perfect. We just started using the Bjorn (@3 months) and she likes that, too.
I did get the MeiTai for $15 secondhand, though. I probably wouldn’t have purchased it for full price. You should maybe see if you have any friends that will let you try out different carrier before purchasing another one. Everyone I know LOVES the Ergo.
One of my friends always has a blanket over her infant carrier to keep out dirty hands! You could try that, but I never had a problem with strangers wanting to touch the baby.
Convincing relatives to get a flu shot is another story….
December 19th, 2011 - 20:05
Take him out and your doc is right about wearing him. Stick with the Moby. It took my son a bit to get used to it – I think it had everything to do with my confidence in wearing it. The more your practice the more comfortable he will be. I agree that they seem too little for the Ergo; I never got the hang of the infant insert. My son never like the K’Tan and prefers the Moby. Once my son got use to the Moby, I wear him all the time and he usually goes right to sleep which is AWESOME. When you put him in the Moby get moving, go outside and walk around the block and see what happens. I think the movement really helps.
December 20th, 2011 - 02:07
I agree with Courtney! Cullen screams when I put him in the Moby…UNTIL I start bouncing him around, go outside, and get some fresh air on his face. He instantly calms and usually ends up passed out for a long snuggly nap. Don’t give up if Wyatt cries going in for a minute or two!
December 19th, 2011 - 20:12
We had Lyric out in restaurants & stores when she was 5 days old. She LOVES crowded, noisy places. Puts her right to sleep
I’ve never had a problem w/touchy strangers but I have had a few too many handsy toddlers. But germs are a part of life & the more exposure they get the better their immune system works. She did get a cold at 11 weeks but thanks to breastfeeding it was gone in 36 hours.
December 19th, 2011 - 20:15
I want to add to trust your instincts! Or discuss it with your doctor. Only you will know when it’s right
.
December 19th, 2011 - 20:16
Some germs are necessary, right? He does need to build an immune system. But I can see what you’re saying about the flu- not good for newborns.
What is it about people touching things that aren’t there’s? I’m not pregnant, but I know that when I am I will not appreciate people touching the bump and the same for the kid. Ask first! Like with a dog
December 19th, 2011 - 21:06
My baby girl was born about 4 weeks early and spent some time in the NICU, but we had her out fairly early-between 2-3 weeks. Our ped just said to avoid crowded places and to santize, and our NICU gave us this red stop sign to hang on her carrier. Luckily, no one ever really touched her when she was a newborn, but she was really small for awhile so that probably kept some people back. And I also kept her covered with a blanket and carseat cover. Looking back, it was definitely easier to protect her then because now she is 11 months and reaches out to touch everything and everyone, so I am constantly wiping her hands down. Or I will wear her in an ergo because she will sometimes try to chew/suck on the shopping cart..so gross!
December 19th, 2011 - 21:09
I love the idea of a stop sign!
December 19th, 2011 - 21:16
It was like this one here-http://www.mytinyhands.com/
Apparently you can order them.
December 19th, 2011 - 21:25
Nurse as long as possible, keep encouraging hand washing, keep trying the various baby carriers (he will gradually get more tolerant) and by all means GO PLACES. Even when he is exposed to things, he will most likely have shorter-duration bugs thanks to your immunities being transferred to him through nursing. Also, of course, eat healthy yourself — minimize sugar and keep your vitamin C levels up there so that you can do your best to fight bugs and pass on a robust level of immunity. Enjoy life. He will be fine!
Hugs,
Mary, mom to 10
December 19th, 2011 - 22:11
I love my Moby wrap for that reason! I took my (third) baby out shopping when she was just a few days old, but wore her in the Moby. Nobody can really touch her in that thing!
If he doesn’t like it, give the bjorn a try. He will seem really tiny in it, but he’ll be okay!
I agree, that you should take him out, so he’s exposed. My son was a preemie, and we still took him out, and he has a really strong immune system.
December 19th, 2011 - 22:36
I am anal about certain things but others I could care less, but I rarely get sick, so I dont know what the deal is! I hope you get to go out soon!
December 19th, 2011 - 22:49
How old is Wyatt now? I know pediatricians have some guidelines as to when its ok to take them out of the house. If he’s passed that, I say go for it and bring hand santizer with you and if someone wants to hold Wyatt, ask them to wash/sanitize their hands first. I’ve had moms ask this of me and honestly I don’t mind. I also think of the “germ theory” ie that we don’t exposed to enough antigens as kids and this leads to an increase in asthma, some allergies, etc. As long as someone isn’t coughing all over him or actively infectious and holding him, I say you should go grocery shopping! But, do whatever you feel most comfortable with — it’s your kid!
December 20th, 2011 - 03:13
He’ll be 4 weeks Wednesday. Our doctor wanted us to wait at least a month to take him out since he was early.
December 19th, 2011 - 23:05
I am going to agree with the poster who said to trust your instincts. If you don’t feel ready, don’t take him out. We all have our “occupational hazards”!
There is nothing wrong with asking people to wash their hands or even to have a pump bottle of hand sanitizer in the car seat with him for people to use. I’m taking Henry to a Christmas Eve family dinner and will not let anyone touch him without washing/sanitizing their hands. Any request made with a smile is usually honored.
Of course, I woke up the day before I delivered with a cold so if this kid gets sick, it is most likely from me:(.
December 19th, 2011 - 23:27
I’m a mom of three and a former germophobe, so I definitely relate! My kids are 4 and 2 (twins) now, and I carry hand sanitizer (“magic soap”) everywhere and wipe or wash their hands many, many times a day. But you’ll learn that once they become toddlers, your definition of “clean” changes dramatically – you just can’t keep up with it or them. And once you get through that first sickness, your start to have a lot more confidence.
Until then, like others said, trust your instincts. There is no reason to take baby to places people will touch him if you have childcare for runs to the grocery store. Instead, take him outside every day at home – set up a blanket in your yard, take walks/runs around your neighborhood. As soon as you are comfy with the Ergo, take him for a hike. The fresh air is great; touchy strangers are not. And here a great piece of advice I got before I had kids: Always try to speak first when it comes to touching your baby. It is ALWAYS ok, BEFORE anyone has even attempted to touch him, to say: “please don’t touch,” “you may touch his feet but not his hands or face” (this one works well with older kids who are fascinated by babies and usually have runny noses), “if you wash your hands you can touch/hold him,” or “please go wash your hands.” If you need an excuse, like with a touchy aunt or something, you can add “I just don’t want to deal with a sick baby, you know?” That way they can’t roll their eyes at you and tell you how they took their kids out every day from day one and never worried about it (this is one of those things people say that isn’t true – because no one remembers the first several months).
Also, try the Ergo. Face in, it’s great for even the littlest ones.
December 19th, 2011 - 23:27
We took our son out right away. After all, we spent 5 days in the hospital and that place is filthy with germs so if he could survive that, he’s ok to go to the grocery store
December 19th, 2011 - 23:36
Honestly, the twins went to a basketball game about 2 days after they came home from the hospital. I kept them in their car seats and no one touched them, but to a certain extent, I think being exposed to some germs in small doses keeps them from getting sick frequently. Here we are, over 4 months since they’ve been home, they’ve been everyone from an airplane to Disneyland and they haven’t been sick. They got the sniffles twice, but both times a few saline drops and a cool mist humidifier and they were as good as new. Your milk is a good immune system booster for him too. If you put a blanket over his car seat and take him to the grocery store, no one will come up to you and go poking under the blanket haha I think he’d be just fine
December 20th, 2011 - 00:19
If it helps… In China there is a tradition in which mother and baby do not leave the house for the first month of the baby’s life. The tradition grew out of the same concern — protecting the newborn from germs and other harms. You’re right – can’t protect him forever and from everything, but the first few weeks makes sense to me (and to, literally, a billion other people).
December 20th, 2011 - 01:17
Isn’t exposure to germs good for babies? I mean, you don’t want him getting the flu, but surely he needs to start building an immune system?
December 20th, 2011 - 02:11
We take the C-man everywhere. Although visiting relatives suggested a trip to Pike Place Market (SUPER busy tourist attraction) when he was two weeks old, and I had to pass.
But we took him out at three days old to Starbucks, and have taken him out of the house every day since! I like to bundle us both up and go for walks outside – I think the fresh air, smells, and noises are good for him. I also want to make sure I’m getting him enough exposure to sunlight! I take him to coffee shops and the grocery store all the time, and I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone ask to touch him. I would definitely say NO.
December 20th, 2011 - 02:18
My little guy was born in June and we took him out about a week after he was born. Fortunately with summer babies you don’t have to worry as much about colds and the flu. I avoided church and places with lots of kids until he was a month old. After that I took him out all the time. Our biggest issue was the serious heat! My cousin had a baby in the winter and she and her friends would wall around the mall when it first opened for the day and wasn’t very crowded. Breastfeeding definitely helps build his immunity too. My baby started daycare at 12 weeks and just got his first little virus at 6 months old. I swear it’s partially because i’ve exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months!
December 20th, 2011 - 05:56
wow, not being a germophobe makes this interesting reading (along with the comments!) since it is hard to relate
In fact, I was the opposite – my son had open heart surgery at 7 days old and so from day 2 – 7, before surgery, we were not able to hold him at all, nor even able to touch him without gowns, capes, hand sanitiser before and after, etc due to the NICU rules. I was so sick of that – i just wanted to hold my child (he was normal birth weight, unlike the others in the highest intensity NICU room with him who were size of a hand). However, post surgery and post PICU, we were on the cardiac peds ward, not nicu anymore and it was way different – he’s your kid, touch him normally, minimal sanitiser, etc. So I never touched it again once we were out of hospital and his multiple doctors & specialists never said anything about needing to. I breastfed exclusively for 6 months and then kept on for another 12 more months and yes, he’s had his shares of bad colds and bad coughs, but its just the way it is. Anyways, he’s fine now (3.5) – just writing this to say that you can imagine the worst, but a cold is not the worst by far…
December 20th, 2011 - 06:57
I did the same thing with my two boys. My niece passed away at 19 days from the hand-foot-mouth virus. So I never let ANYONE touch my babies without washing their hands. I found that I liked and they liked even more to hang with me in their front pack. We had a baby bjorn front pack and I could take them everywhere. Give it a try! If you go out, you can buy a teddy toes blanket (the blanket with feet) that is perfect for a front pack! It doesn’t hurt to stretch your legs and get fresh air WHILE protecting your baby! I get it completely!!!
December 20th, 2011 - 08:10
I hibernated w/my daughter til she was 5 weeks old (besides going to the doctor). Now, I try to take her out at least every other day or so. And we use an Ergo whenever we go to stores. It is just way easier and she falls asleep instantly
If he is to small you can stuff a blanket in the bottom of the Ergo to prop him up..and then just hold his head while you walk. Works out well for us! 
December 20th, 2011 - 08:32
For your mental stability, get outbid the house! I know I need to in order to stay sane
Put mittens on him or dress him in clothes that have the fabric to cover up his hand on the end of the sleeves… Not for him scratching, but so no one can touch his hands.
Also, I try to stay away from other kids. I’m fine with being around other babies that are at home with mom, but kids in daycare and in school are germ balls.
That’s at least the rules I follow. And lots of handwashing of course
Do what feels comfortable to you!
December 20th, 2011 - 10:15
Strangers really try to touch babies?? I mean, I’m a TOTAL baby lover and I’ve never once asked a stranger if I could touch/hold their baby. Sure, I’ll look and “ooh” & “aah”…but it’s someone I don’t know – why on earth would I try to cuddle with their baby?! (People just amaze me!) Now, friends and family and even coworkers are fair game in my book! But I ALWAYS make sure I wash my hands first, and let the mother know that I’ve done so. And I always ASK before I dive in the pick the little one up!
As for the “when to take Wyatt out” question – i’m at a loss since I don’t have a baby of my own. But like everyone else says, I think you should do what you’re comfortable with – it’s not like you’re thinking of keeping him in the house for the next 6 months of his life! If a few extra weeks indoors (not around touchy strangers) feels right to you, then it’s the right thing.
December 20th, 2011 - 11:08
My advice is to go with your instincts and trust your gut! I agree with your approach to keep him sheltered during this most fragile time of being a newborn. Personally, I think some people are crazy to bring these teeny tiny babies to public places during the height of cold/flu season. To each their own, I suppose… but like you, I’m a germophobe!
Tomorrow morning I will go to the hospital and have my baby boy (he’s breech, so we have a scheduled c-section). This blog has been the topic of many conversations between me and my husband. While we certainly realize you can’t be overly protective, we are also going to err on the side of caution for at least the first 8 weeks. To us, that means no public places (other than the docs office) and being selective over who comes to visit (and hand-washing/sanitizing for those who do hold him). Some may think I’m over the top…. but guess what? I don’t care!
PS- Wyatt is adorable
December 20th, 2011 - 11:24
Good luck tomorrow! <3
December 20th, 2011 - 11:50
We started going out @ about 1 week. I figured he needs exposure to the good germs. Blanket over his hands in stroller helped w stranger touching, though I also asked anyone who looked like they were about to touch not to. When in our carrier (Beco butterfly) I hold his hands in mine to prevent people from touching him. Do what you feel good about. For me, I had to leave the house.
December 20th, 2011 - 12:27
Oh…just wait until he is mobile and everything/anything goes in his mouth, he touches EVERYTHING, and THEN puts his hands in his mouth! I’m not as much of a germaphobe as you are, but the stuff K does totally grosses me out! I have to chalk it up to him building up his immune system… :-/ . Anyway, we weren’t allowed to go out of the house for 30 days after his birth due to some chinese superstition (ya, he’s only 1/4 chinese but ok). We went out in the backyard for some sun and of course his dr. appointments, but that’s about it. Well, I did get out to the grocery store a few times, I think, but I really didn’t want to go anywhere…not when the hubs was doing stuff for me! hahaha. K’s first big outing other than our house or Grandma’s house was probably Black Friday shopping when he was 5 weeks. lol
I guess he’s lucky because he doesn’t go to daycare, so he’s not exposed to too many germs. He only seems to get sick after we’ve gone on vacation or something where he’s around a lot of kids, and even at that, I think he only comes down with the illness because he is totally run down from lack of sleep and not eating right. I guess all you can do is wash your hands and BF as long as possible for preventive measures?
December 20th, 2011 - 14:17
Wow, I could have written this post myself! I am a total germaphobe. I wash my hands constantly and drive my husband crazy with my germaphobic ways
And like you, I envision being okay with the babies’ germs oddly. (I am expecting twins) I decided I need to let go of being worried about people thinking I am rude by telling them they can’t touch, and to have them wash their hands before holding. I doubt we will go out a lot with two new babies at first. I am concerned that once we do, we will get a lot of strangers coming up to us, simply because there are two!
December 20th, 2011 - 18:28
I agree with your doctor! Wearing your baby helps a lot – though my husband did have a couple nosy people ask to see my daughter while he was wearing her in a sling, but for the most part it keeps them away – and shields them from coughs, etc. It also helps them nap – my husband watched my daughter for a month after I went back to work and he wore her in the sling all the time for naps. Wow, that was nice – now my daughter is 2 and I know when our second comes around there is nothing much we can do about germs since my daughter will probably try to be in her siblings face 95% of the time.
December 20th, 2011 - 21:54
i think germ fears with newborns is totally normal! i think the jury is pretty split on whether to stay in or take them out. the wearing them v. having them in a carseat is an excellent point! hope you get out and about soon.
December 20th, 2011 - 23:28
First off- I can’t believe how much babies change the first few weeks. Wyatt continues to get cuter and cuter!
Second- I am SOOO right there with you! 2 weeks after having Riley we had to fly home (for all that stuff with Ryans Mom) and I was so freaked out about having her on an airplane. Everywhere we went people wanted to touch her and I too was strict about hand washing and anti-bacterial stuff. I don’t remember when I finally relaxed with taking her out, but think it kind of happened quickly since I didn’t have a choice.
There is no rush to it, so don’t let anyone make you feel weird about it. Natural instinct is to protect your child, so of course you want him to avoid germs and the chance of getting sick. I think you’ll just know when it’s right. AND, if not, eventually he will be crawling, then walking, and touching EVERYTHING!!!
Just wait until he is putting everything in his mouth… to say I frequently washed all of Riley’s toys is an understatement. Ugh! =)
December 21st, 2011 - 06:40
I still can’t get over how cute he is! I have no tips for you, but I think the Clemson hat definitely help
December 21st, 2011 - 09:15
My daughter was born in October and is just two months now. I am not a germophobe and have been taking her everywhere since about a week old once the dr. told me she could regulate her body temp better. I was told by countless people that strangers always touch babies so I was ready for it. Olivia hasn’t been touched by a stranger while out once with me and i think it is because I have a cozy cover on her carseat. I close the little flap and no one can even see her. At one point my mom had her out and carrying her around a busy store and she said that multiple strangers came up and touched her while she was out, so I think the cozy cover deters people that can’t keep their hands to themselves when they see such sheer cuteness
Here is the link. Its a life saver for our walks and all other times because I don’t have to bundle her because she is a little furnace.
http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Microfiber-Fleece-Embroidery–Charcoal/dp/B0041LWC6Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1324476444&sr=8-2
December 21st, 2011 - 10:47
Oh my gosh, Wyatt is the cutest baby!!! I’m with you about the germs, but when I had my son all that went out the window!!! Being spit on, peed on, etc. was a daily thing!! Enjoy all of it because they grow up so fast and its truly a beautiful blessing to take care of them!
December 21st, 2011 - 11:09
My mom would be so proud of you! She works as an RN in NICU and sees the results of way too many careless parents.
Not long ago we were at a car dealership getting the oil changed and a woman in the waiting area had her 2 day old premie (born at 33 weeks…she was an oversharer with the receptionist) laying out on the sofa…not kidding. She also left the baby there and went out to her car saying “can you watch her” to us as she walked out the door. I was dumbstruck! And a little terrified for the baby!
So thank you for being responsible and giving me hope!
December 21st, 2011 - 13:06
Wyatt is so cute! I am also a germaphobe, I try not to open doors with my hands, constantly wash them after I’ve used my office computer so I totally understand. But I’d be careful with the kind of sanitizer you use and ask other people to use. My sister had a baby – ten years in the planning process so everyone in the family was so excited to hold him, but they made everyone use sanitzer before they held him. He ended up with a horrible rash all over his body because of the constant exposure to the alcohol in the sanitizer. I’d just ask people to go wash their hands, and if they don’t want to then they just can’t hold him!:)
December 21st, 2011 - 14:16
Such a good point! Thank you. My little guy has sensitive skin so I’ll keep this in mind.
December 21st, 2011 - 14:10
My son was born at 31 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. The NICU told us to try and not let him get sick for the first year of his life if possible, and that was our mission when we finally took him home. There was nothing that was more important to us than his health, so we literally didn’t take him to any public places (other than the DR office for his checkups )until he was 5 MONTHS old! And even after that it was VERY infrequently. There was no way I was going to potentially expose him to any germs, especially since he was born during cold/flu season (November). In the springtime, I took him on plenty of walks outside in the stroller or my sling, but just by ourselves and not around a bunch of other people.
He actually got his very first cold this week – first time being “sick” in 13 1/2 months! I’m so happy we made it past the one year mark, and it was 100% worth the effort and sacrifice. Still breastfeeding, too and plan to until he weans himself or we start trying for another!
I think you are doing the right thing by being extra cautious. Why take the risk? I’m sure you are dying to interact with other humans ( I know I was!!) but you are absolutely doing the right thing by putting his needs first. Follow your instincts.
Everyone is different, but even if my next baby is full term I will still keep him/her in a little bubble until she is a few months old.