Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I mean about foods, germs, going out in the cold, organic foods etc..


I was just wondering what your thoughts were...

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Absolutely, I do.

My parents keep saying to me, "in our day we just got pregnant and had the baby" and it's so true though...the things the Dr's have us worrying about these days gets a little excessive. I still eat my deli meats, all cheeses, hot dogs, and even (gasp) an occasional glass of wine. I'm all about everything in moderation and I'm confident my baby will be just fine. I also washed her bed sheets but I'm not planning on disinfecting everything that touches her (bumper, etc.)...I think it gets out of control...

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Its so funny - people ask if they can hold Cailen, I'm like - sure, and begin to hand him over, they are like - NO - wait! I have to go wash my hands!!! I'm like, oh yeah....

Personally, if they are not sick, I'm not concerned - he gets exposed to germs all day, and if they are sick, then I wouldnt let them hold him...

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I think it gets out of control sometimes.

Personally, I don't believe in half the hoopla or most of these research studies that come out, especially the one about eating peanuts during pg causing peanut allergies and vaccines causing autism. (I believe both are genetic conditions)

Personally, I do/eat everything in moderation with my pg's, the only thing off limits for me are the obvious ones like smoke, alchohol etc.

And with my daughter-my kid eats off the floor, licks my hardwood floors, eats off the table, has all her vaccines on schedule, and sometimes i don't wash her hands after she plays outside or when she pets my IL's or parents dog

She also was outside in stores and around people around 1 week old, I didn't make people wash their hands when they held her, and we don't pay extra for anything organic. Oh yeah, she gets reg milk with growth hormones, unless the fancy one is on sale.

Message edited 5/21/2007 3:30:13 PM.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

totally crashing. But yes. In the UK we don't have ANY of the same worries about germs, keeping the baby inside until they are 2 years old, we don't see doctors during our pregnancies (unless we are high risk) we don't do all the tests that the US does. Its all very laid back, also, I do find most of my friends have really laid back parenting styles, but I think that people seem sooo nervous about everything!

I think one thing that happens is that people are so ligitious, that doctors offices have to cross every T and dot every i to avoid being sued!!! That culture is definitely heading all over the world now.

I also understand that everyone has their own parenting style, and obviously, if thats your style, hey! More power to ya..

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I'd probably be worried at first, but I think (or I know from being told by a nurse I worked with) that antibacterializing everything actually does a disservice to your immune system. I can see keeping my kids away from very sick people, but you need to build up an immunity to germs. If you never come in contact with them, they'll affect you more.


I worked with this woman (in her upper 50's) who didn't believe smoking was bad for babies since, and I quote "I smoked all the time, even in the doctors office, and I had a 9 pound ? oz baby. Imagine how big she'd be if I didn't smoke?" YIKES!!!

Message edited 5/21/2007 3:35:59 PM.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

My parents think I am SIDS obsessive. I don't think I am at all. I do what I can and leave it at that. I don't have an angel monitor and I don't get up through the night to make sure he is breathing. I do however, have an empty crib that he sleeps in. If its proven that bedding and bumpers are not recommended...then I don't think I am overreacting by not using them. People joke that my big fear in life is a baby blanket. I don't care, I think if all this research is going into SIDS prevention, then why wouldn't I listen?

As far as limiting germs around baby...I am all for that as well. Josh had a cold once, knowing he did not feel well broke my heart. Knowing that if he really gets sick, it means hospital and spinal...well, that's enough for me to keep extra kids away. If its about building immune systems, well the most harmless way to do that is to BF.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I def think so. In the beginning I was a little crazy but I have toned down so much.

I use the 2 sec rule if something falls on the floor now and I am not crazy about using Purell at all.

I am a little over the top when it comes to him sleeping with a blanket. For some reason I can't get used to it and I wake up to check on him

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I was wondering the same thing. My oldest sister has a 19 yr old and she was telling me times have changed since she was pregnant. We discussed a few and were laughing over a few things. But she also made an interesting point about how SIDS and Down Syndrome were more predominate when she was pregnant. My mom was even concerned when I had a sonogram at 8 weeks because when she pregnant with all of us, sonograms were only for high risk patients. She thinks it is the insurance companies and dr. working to get more moeny. So who really knows!
Lets all just have healthy pregnancies and babies.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I do. But I also think organic products are better for everyone in general - there are way too many pesticides and chemicals in today's world. So to me that doesn't really enter into the equation.

But I am all about letting baby explore and be a child - I don't think I will be overprotective or a worrywart. I think it is important to expose kids to a lot - germs included - to build up their immune system. I will do what I can to protect my baby, but I won't put it in a plastic bubble.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I think, in general, yes. I don't think I'm neurotic - I consider myself more laid-back then most people, in general. In the end, none of us wants to be that parent that poohed the fever/injury/rash that turned tragic - so I can completely understand where they're coming from.

The organic food - I agree with karacg on. I think eating food without pesticides doesn't mean you're neurotic.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I'm definitely more laid back- but some things I did/will do for a reason.

1. Washed everything- my husband was the bubble-boy as a child and allergic to EVERYTHING. His skin is still super sensitive, so he made me wash everything with gentle detergent- we also bought all cotton items, no blends.

2. No peanuts in third trimester- this one holds water for people with peanut allergies in the family (JAMA published research). See #1.....

3. No bedding in the crib, no toys in the crib, no positioner in the crib. As someone who has first hand knowledge about the devastation of SIDS- I'm not taking ANY chances.

4. Organic food- but I've already done this for myself.

Otherwise, this poor child will be covered in animal hair and passed off to anyone who wants to hold her.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

YES!!! I think this all the time. I am also a pretty laid back parent.

When you grow up in a family of 8 and surrounded by parents/aunts/uncles who aren't neurotic it helps.

Sure there are certain things I do to be safe but sometimes I seriously cringe at some of the lengths parents go to...I know to each their own, but some stuff is just ridiculous. That is how I feel.

It's funny...I've learned to kind of not dwell on all the stuff that could happen as time goes on-its OTHER people that can scare thoughts into your head. A friend couldn't believe that I put a blanket on johnny at 7 months old. Ummmm he tosses it off his face by now, and we were all in blankets as kids and we're fine. Just gets annoying.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Posted by sweetness

I think it gets out of control sometimes.

Personally, I don't believe in half the hoopla or most of these research studies that come out, especially the one about eating peanuts during pg causing peanut allergies and vaccines causing autism. (I believe both are genetic conditions)

Personally, I do/eat everything in moderation with my pg's, the only thing off limits for me are the obvious ones like smoke, alchohol etc.

And with my daughter-my kid eats off the floor, licks my hardwood floors, eats off the table, has all her vaccines on schedule, and sometimes i don't wash her hands after she plays outside or when she pets my IL's or parents dog

She also was outside in stores and around people around 1 week old, I didn't make people wash their hands when they held her, and we don't pay extra for anything organic. Oh yeah, she gets reg milk with growth hormones, unless the fancy one is on sale.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I do agree. I laugh at some of my friends and their neurotic behaviors about what they are willing to eat or not during their pregnancies.
I agree with PPs who said moderation. I am not going out and getting drunk or smoking so you know what if I want a can of coke one day (with caffine) I will splurge!

I also think its really funny how much things have changed from when our moms had us. The worries were so much less. I think we tend to over educate ourselves and in the process we make ourselves into worriers.

Also to go along with what MichelleR said, when my mom was sick with cancer they told her not to use the anti-bacterial soap b/c it strips not only the bad bacterias but all the good ones.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I think being a parent is all about choices and standing next to those choices without regret.

To each is own I always say, and YOU ALWAYS have to do WhAT"S best for your baby and your family without caring what everyone else thinks.

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

I do think it's hard for new parents to NOT become neurotic with everything the news tells us. Every night there is practically something new that can harm our babies. It's enough to drive a person crazy.

I think I am pretty laid back and will try to be the same way when the baby is here (of course until he arrives I have no clue how I'll be)

I don't want him around any of my nieces/nephews if they are sick. I did wash his sheets, onesies, and pjs for the first 0-3 months but that is all I doing.

With this pregnancy, I ate hotdogs randomly, had caffeine a few times, tuna melts now and then, cold cuts and even - GASP - A piece of Fresh Mozzerella one day (and my friend was in SHOCK she could not believe I did it)

I believe that everything in moderation is ok but everyone is different!

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Re: Topic for discussion: Do you think preggos/parents are getting too neurotic?

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by Diana1215

With this pregnancy, I ate hotdogs randomly, had caffeine a few times, tuna melts now and then, cold cuts and even - GASP - A piece of Fresh Mozzerella one day (and my friend was in SHOCK she could not believe I did it)

I believe that everything in moderation is ok but everyone is different!

You had to see the look of horror on everyone's face when I took a tiny sip of a mimosa at my baby shower And I wore heels that day...that is it, I must be the worst mom2be ever

Message edited 5/21/2007 4:32:15 PM.