Hand-Washing Battles

on December 20, 2008 at 8:04 AM

Hand sanitizers are so handy, and they really do kill all types of yucky germs. Cafe Kristen in Healthy Living Buzz talked with a few experts about hand sanitizers and one believes pretty strongly in them.

I'm a pretty big fan of hand sanitizers, too. I have a bottle right here on my desk. There it is, right there, as full and untouched as the day I bought it about three months ago. Sigh. I wish I could remember to use hand sanitizers more often, and I really need to get my toddler in the habit. I hate to think about all the places her hands go throughout the day or the little tidbits she picks up from the floor, the sidewalk, etc. But I have a hard enough time getting her to wash her hands after going potty. What about you ... ?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: health

Comments (7)

peanutmom

on Dec 20, 2008 at 11:14 AM

I do not use hand sanitizers or antibacterial soap; it can lead to resistant forms of bacteria. Plain soap and water works just fine; I encourage toddlers to wash hands by singing a song, or a simple "Bubble 1, Bubble 2 (up to 10)" helps to keep them at the sink. We wash hands after changing a diaper as well as before and after eating snacks or meals; if you make it a consistent part of the routine, kids respond to it.

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sweetashyb

on Dec 20, 2008 at 12:04 PM

I didn't vote...I don't have to make my two year old wash his hands, he LOVES it. My problem is getting him out of the sink and making him STOP washing his hands lol The only time we ever use the hand sanitizer is if we're at someplace like the petting zoo--our local one offers hand sanitizer at the gate when you leave, instead of a hand washing station.

ktslittlefaith

on Dec 20, 2008 at 2:56 PM

I carry hand sanitizer with me at all times. I find it very difficult to hold my daughter up to an adult-size sink in a public restroom, especially while holding my newborn, so it is just easier to use the sanitizer.

TheSingingNurse

on Dec 20, 2008 at 3:11 PM

Hand sanitizer is handy when you are away from home. They recommend washing for at least 30 sec. Friction, H20 and soap, I wrote and recorded a fun song called, Rubba Dub Dub, google The Singing Nurse, Have a Merry Christmas.

MidnightMama911

on Dec 21, 2008 at 2:30 AM

I have the opposite problem, I can't get my toddlers to STOP washing their hands. I let my little girl go potty alone to have some independence but she will stand and wash her hands FOREVER. If I am busy and don't notice she will be running water for 5 minutes until I come in and make her finish up. She and her two year old brother are always pulling a kitchen chair up to the sink and wanting to wash their hands. If I try to wipe their hands it's not good enough, they have to wash. As for myself, I hate washing my hands. I hate the feel of handsoap, but I use hand sanitizer frequently at work and after using the restroom.

McQueeney

on Dec 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM

Isn't hand sanitizer bad for our kiddies, with the high alcohol content and everything??

BobbysMom2007

on Dec 22, 2008 at 11:54 PM

I didn't vote 'cause I use baby wipes most of the time--I have them all over the house. It's such a giant pain to lift my big boy up to the sink that wipes are so much easier. I only wash his hands when he's really yucky (and it would take way too many wipes) or when he touches something totally gross, like the litter box.