8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Exposing Your Baby to Other People's Germs

on January 20, 2012 at 2:15 PM

baby sick It's cold, flu, and just plain snot season, and if you have a baby, you really notice all that phlegm. You could hide your baby under an antibacterial rock for the duration, or you could take her out and let her get all of those germs at once.

As someone who went from germ-a-phobe to laissez-faire, I've done a bit of both during my reign of parenting. So I've made up my own rules as I've trudged through these viral times. And if you were being honest, you would say you've done the same. Case in point: You beg off a play date because the mom you just met says her baby threw up the night before. Yet, when your incredibly fun college roommate comes to town with a raging case of strep throat -- you're all over an extended visit.

We all have our own threshold when it comes to exposing our kids to the elements. If you need some help sorting yours out, perhaps you should use my set of very important questions to ask yourself before exposing your baby to unwanted germs.

Yes or No

Does your baby have a fever?
Have I ever told you that your baby is very "spirited"?
Can your baby wipe his own nose, thus removing any chance of me getting snot on my dry clean only blouse?
Have you ever voted Republican?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, keep your baby away from mine!

Yes or No, again

Has your baby already been sick for two or more days?
Is your baby exceptionally cute and happy and I've commented on this more than once?
Do we enjoy speciality cocktails together on a regular basis -- even during play dates?
Is my kid already more sick than yours?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, then come on over!

What's your criteria for germ sharing among the crawling set?

About the author April Peveteaux

writes about anything that gets stuck in her craw. A mom of two in Los Angeles, she can't believe she practically lives in the country now after attempting to raise kids in Brooklyn.

Filed Under: baby health, safety, baby first year

Comments (14)

Spaxy

on Jan 20, 2012 at 2:16 PM

Oh boy. I'm am not even going to touch this one. Keep the political dig (from out of nowhere!) to yourself.

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BPayne09

on Jan 20, 2012 at 3:07 PM

There is way too much stupid in this to even begin to comment on it all.

Jmay9410

So I think the political question was funny ;) Now, I've taken my baby girl out and about since she was 2 weeks old. You can't protect your little angel from everything. Besides, how is your baby suppose to build an immune system?? She is now 2 months old and never been sick yet when I have a couple friends that "protect" their babies from everything have been sick 3 times in a 3 month span. I believe its all up to the parent and what we think is best for their little one. :)

fave82

on Jan 20, 2012 at 4:50 PM

This whole article is pretty dumb

tambam0726

on Jan 20, 2012 at 5:11 PM

I don't know what you're going for, but this article is not funny or practical.

zandhmom2

on Jan 20, 2012 at 5:25 PM

I love how the liberal claim to be the "open minded" group. Jeez, a little closed minded there April?

ODDS

on Jan 20, 2012 at 5:44 PM

They're only open minded when it's convenient for them.

Nonmember comment from WallFlower

on Jan 20, 2012 at 6:47 PM

Dry clean only around any child is asking for it, isn't it? And I hope that republican jibe was ment to be funny. It didn't work. It just made you sound like a snob.