Wash Wednesday: Germs and more Germs!

We had the croup last week which means a very grumpy kid constantly with running nose, sneezing, coughing, and fever. For five plus days we stayed cooped up indoors watching videos and starting our days at 4:00am. We even started our week and ended it with trips to the doctor. Going stir crazy is an understatement especially after having Roseola last month (both viruses). Then when we were well (much to my relief and sanity), we had his well visit for his 18 month check-up this week. I almost canceled just because I was just at the clinic so much last week. We still went anyways.


Knowing what the doctor would say, I still asked how we could prevent from being sick any more this winter.


The answer confirmed my understanding of the importance of that age old debate of building kids' immune systems. Even though I usually am lax on germs allowing sick kids to come over and not wiping down the shopping cart, I have been more on the alert lately just for the sake of being weary of sickness. Otherwise, I feel like we are in for a long and lonely winter.

How timely was an article from the November 2009 issue (because I am so far behind on reading) of Parenting Magazine titled "Outsmart the Flu." At least I was encouraged that there are a few things I could do around the house or when we were out and about town. From our experience, it seems that restaurant high chairs and shopping carts are magnets for germs. So here are some things I have learned and started implementing more regularly. Remember too that if you are sick, you are also preventing the next kid from getting your germs with these precautions.

Prevention At Home:

• Periodically wash down the toys. Strap your child in his high chair, give him a bowl of warm, soapy water, put on a bib, and let him splash the dirty toys around helping you clean them.
  
• Wipe down door knobs, electronics, and other highly used items like remote controls and refrigerator door handles with disinfectant.
• Wash sheets and linens like hand towels often especially after being sick. In fact, wash your hands after handling the dirty laundry.
• Spray down bathroom with household disinfectant.
• Boil pacifiers on the stove for at least 5 minutes. Add toothbrushes to further kill germs.

Prevention Outside the Home:

• Disinfect the handle of your shopping cart.
• Clean the restaurant high chairs as well as the edge of the table where your kids touch and/or put their mouth on. Using a disposable, plastic place mat helps kids with putting food directly on the table.
• Bring your own toys to the doctors office to minimize spreading germs after each patient. Most places only clean once a day.
• Use your own pen at the doctor's office, store check-out counter, and pharmacy.
• Sanitize after using an indoor play space.

Other Things to Remember:

• Update your flu vaccines.
• Ask your pediatrician about vitamins for your kids.
• Eat vitamin rich food like proteins, fruits, and vegetables that naturally fight germs.
• Drink plenty of water.
  
• Wash your hands as long as you sing the alphabet in warm water before rinsing. Simply use a baby wipe for your kids as it is the most gentle and effective way to clean their hands. Carry antibacterial sanitizer for yourself out in public.
• Worried about cleaners? Remember to lock them up when not in use. Also, supervise if your child is present during cleaning. Once a disinfectant spray or wipe dries, it is no longer hazardous. If you are not satisfied, find a natural cleaner to use that is safe.
  

While this will not prevent all germs, it will help minimize being sick all the time for mommy relief. I still believe that kids need to be exposed to some germs to help build up their immunity in the long term. So I will take some germs and wash the other germs.