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08BabySurprise
My Life. My Everything.
Member since 10/07 9151 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Athan was 16 months old when I signed him up at My Gym (my mom watches him during the day) and the second weekend he went he got a cold the very next day - his first one EVER. Yeah I was kind of upset but you know what, I couldn't keep him in his bubble forever.
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Posted 8/17/09 5:23 PM  |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by Goldi0218
If the child was going to be exposed to germs regardless and I HAD to choose, I'd ratther it be now. I've had Abby out of day care for one week here and there because she was sick. As inconvenient as it was, she wasn't missing a day of school when she would have been learning how to read, write or count. In other words, Id rather her miss a day of fingerpainting in day care, than academics once she hits school age.
Are you saying that kids that go to daycare don't get sick as much when they are older than kids that do not? How do you know this to be the case? In my own experience I don't find it to be true.
I spoke for myself and my child based on my own thoughts, ideas and personal experiences just as you speak based on yours. Im not looking to be challenged here. It won't change what I do or how I proceed further with my parenting choices.
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| Posted 8/17/09 5:25 PM |
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KartveliT
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Member since 1/08 8363 total posts
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I would wait.
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| Posted 8/17/09 5:26 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Posted by Goldi0218
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by Goldi0218
If the child was going to be exposed to germs regardless and I HAD to choose, I'd ratther it be now. I've had Abby out of day care for one week here and there because she was sick. As inconvenient as it was, she wasn't missing a day of school when she would have been learning how to read, write or count. In other words, Id rather her miss a day of fingerpainting in day care, than academics once she hits school age.
Are you saying that kids that go to daycare don't get sick as much when they are older than kids that do not? How do you know this to be the case? In my own experience I don't find it to be true.
I spoke for myself and my child based on my own thoughts, ideas and personal experiences just as you speak based on yours. Im not looking to be challenged here. It won't change what I do or how I proceed further with my parenting choices.
Wasn't trying to challenge you. Was actually curious if there was a study or something out there that showed this to be the case b/c I have heard people say this before.
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| Posted 8/17/09 5:37 PM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
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I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Here is my .02 cents.
DD was a preemie and a NICU baby. While the NICU is sterile and she was in an incubator for a little over 2 weeks, I think she was still exposed to germs jsut from being in the hospital for a long time. yes, nurses and dr's wash their hands constantly, but we didn't have to wear gowns or cover our faces when we were in there. Wash our hands yes, but that was it.
I think it helped her immunity. She has had colds and fevers, but nothing unusual. I take her to the ped if it is more then just a cold. She has been going to the little gym since 9 months old and I plan on taking the next one to the gym too.
IMO, they need to be around other kids and people and not in a bubble.
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| Posted 8/17/09 5:45 PM |
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AnnBrunoXO
2 Girls For Me!
Member since 5/05 4377 total posts
Name:
MaMMa
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I believe its always best to expose them to germs right away - take them to the mall, playdates, park etc..... I think it would be okay to do that after 2-3 months old - before that - my children didn't even sit up straight and i found that they hung out mostly in their car seats and strollers - but it never stopped me from going out and around other people.
I find that toddlers pick up more germs than infants. Infants are usually always in their strollers, car seats - and aren't even remotely as exposed to germs on the floor, other people, surfaces as toddlers are.
ETS - I was taking my youngest to mommy-n-me at 4 months old with my oldest daughter. She enjoyed sitting up and touching all the toys. I always kept wipes handy and did my best to make sure she didn't put things in her mouth - but of course she did - I tried not to worry about it. Whenever my girls did have a cold they usually had it together but they also could of gotten the cold from anywhere else we had been, the stores, park etc... so i didn't dwell on it.
Message edited 8/17/2009 6:17:33 PM.
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| Posted 8/17/09 6:11 PM |
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steph7308
Mommy of 2!!!
Member since 5/08 2083 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
i never went crazy about germs, some would probably say i was too lax about it but at 13 months old, dd has never been sick besides an ear infection which germs dont cause! i honestly feel its better to expose them to germs.
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| Posted 8/17/09 6:35 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I believe it is important to expose kids to germs early. I waited 6 weeks, and since then we've been out and about everywhere. By being exposed to things early, they will build up immunity. Keeping your kid in a bubble isn't going to benefit you or them.
I don't go to my gym or gymboree or music together, but that is because of cost, not because I am afraid of them getting sick. We have been to programs in the library.
So unless there is a medical reason you shouldnt be in group situations, take him!
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| Posted 8/17/09 7:50 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I'm the furthest from a germ freak there is....and my son is hardly ever sick. He had one major illness as a baby and has had one cold with a runny nose and cough since in his 2+ years....
As a newborn , yes Iw ould be careful, their immunity is not built up...as a toddler I'm a bit more if not a lot more lenient.
That said, I think every mom has their own comfort level and should really just go with their gut kwim?
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| Posted 8/17/09 7:57 PM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
At this point, DD is 8 months old and just started daycare. I'm very comfortable with it. I've never kept her from anything--we've always gone on playdates, to Music Together, etc. and we've been lucky that she's never gotten sick.
All I know as a teacher is, I had a student last year who was homeschooled until he came to my class. Had never been in a school setting. He was out sick 30 days and needed to be kept back. Could be a coincidence, but I honestly believe that the earlier the immunities are built up, the better.
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| Posted 8/17/09 9:08 PM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Posted by 08BabySurprise
Athan was 16 months old when I signed him up at My Gym (my mom watches him during the day) and the second weekend he went he got a cold the very next day - his first one EVER. Yeah I was kind of upset but you know what, I couldn't keep him in his bubble forever.
I don't think he got a cold from the My Gym if it was the next day. A cold takes time to incubate, chances are he picked it up somewhere else.
I know my DD's first cold was from daycare as she started showing signs of a cold 6 days after starting daycare.
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| Posted 8/17/09 9:46 PM |
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organichic
LIF Adult
Member since 9/08 2223 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Posted by mamabear
I believe there is a middle ground. When my DD was a newborn, I was all about protecting her because she was defenseless against germs at that point. Until around 6-10 weeks, I was very protective of her, didn't go out much, and insisted anyone who touched her washed their hands first. Then I slowly started to expose her to more things. I am in no way a germ-o-phobe, but I still am a little protective. I don't like strangers touching her and wouldn't bring her around someone I knew was sick. At the same time, I let her touch everything, am not afraid of dirt or general germs in the air. I don't purell my own hands, but I wash them appropriately. I do believe in exposure to build up defenses, but when they are little, I also believe in protecting them and never agree with over-exposure. (eg, i wouldn't bring her around people/kids I knew were sick. she will have plenty of that in school as she grows up.)
ITA!
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| Posted 8/17/09 9:50 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I'm an exposer, my son has been going to classes & social activities since 7 weeks when we started a baby massage class, and he has been in daycare since he was one. I can count on one hand the amount of times he has been sick.
I think some kids are more susceptible to getting sick than others full stop, some kids just get sick more often than other kids do...there isn't anything you can do to avoid it. Get out and get yourself to some activities! Enjoy!
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| Posted 8/17/09 9:53 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Posted by MrsRivera
All I know as a teacher is, I had a student last year who was homeschooled until he came to my class. Had never been in a school setting. He was out sick 30 days and needed to be kept back. Could be a coincidence, but I honestly believe that the earlier the immunities are built up, the better.
Not surprising and def not a coincidence. Simpy put, he met up with germs he never encountered. Anyone would get sick in this situation, young, old, teen, etc. But that's not to say being exposed at 6 mths old alone would have benefitted him. Even if he had been exposed at 3 years old, it would have benefitted him equally, kwim?
So this goes back to my original point, I would rather my chld get exposed and gain immuniities as a one year+ old, than take risks at 6 mths old when not on any solids, more fragile size wise. I do not believe at all that the earlier they are exposed that it makes them stronger. It just means they were exposed to the germs earlier, that's all. They would have encountered those germs at a later age, no dount.
I still equate it to the Rotovirus. Under age 1, it's most deadly. Over age 1, it's still brutal but not as deadly. So to me, age makes a big difference in the ability to handle a disease if encountered. Personally speaking, I rather my child gain that age advantage and get sick when over 1, at least, than 5 mths old.
Message edited 8/17/2009 10:29:50 PM.
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| Posted 8/17/09 10:20 PM |
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my3boys
I love these boys
Member since 7/07 2711 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I'm a believer in exposing however if I knew someone was sick where I was going then I would try to avoid it but other wise my boys were out and about at an early age. Also when you have more then one it's hard to keep the little ones in for example my older son plays sports so my little guys were probably at soccer games by 2wks old.
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| Posted 8/17/09 11:14 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I think (as with almost everything parenting related) it all depends on the child, and what you are comfortable with for your child.
Lily is a little over 2 and (knock on wood) has never really been sick. We didn't shelter her as a child, but she wasn't exposed to a whole lot. I didn't have many friends with children, and my father watches her in his house. So she wasn't around kids a whole lot.
As she's gotten older, she's had a few playdates, and family parties with other children, and sometimes, she came into contact with children who were sick.
She's been around us while we're sick, my parents when they're sick, but she has an amazing immune system (again, knock on wood) and has never gotten sick from it.
So what I'm trying to say is that there is no right or wrong. You have to do what you are comfortable with as parents. But, if you and your spouse disagree...I think that's a conversation for the two of you to have (without a MIL's input).
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| Posted 8/17/09 11:20 PM |
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
It depends on what you can handle. Cailen was out and about everywhere at 2 weeks old - restaurants, stores, etc. He didn't get sick until he began daycare at 8 weeks old. He did get sick a lot after starting daycare and it really wore on me. However, he has only been sick 2 times this year. When all the illnesses were going around, he didn't catch any of them. I think his immune system is rockin now as a result of daycare!
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| Posted 8/18/09 6:59 AM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I didnt put DS in Little Gym or Mommy and Me until he was about a year old.
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| Posted 8/18/09 8:19 AM |
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
I dont know whats "better" for them but I kept DS away from any extra germs for a loooooong time. Sure he got sick from family and I didnt stay locked in the house 24/7 but I would rather see a sick older kid than a baby. Just me.
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| Posted 8/18/09 8:27 AM |
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aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys
Member since 4/06 11426 total posts
Name:
Ali
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Re: Do you think it is better to expose children to germs when they are infants or try to protect them as long as possible?
Posted by Janice
I don't really believe in sick years and all that. I think you are either a sick person or not.
I am barely sick. never had ear infections or strep or the flu. some of my siblings are always sick. same enviroment.
ITA!!!!
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| Posted 8/18/09 8:27 AM |
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