Topics Discussed This Month
how long to keep hand washing?
wisdom from the Preemie-l e-mail group
Kelly wants input, "I have a question about hand washing and thought who better to ask than the pro's. My MIL, FIL, and BIL are all giving me a hard time about how long they are going to have to wash their hands before holding the babies. They feel that they are old enough to not have to wash their hands when they are held. Basically, I feel that if you have been out in the stores-i.e.grocery-Wal-mart -anywhere where there are a lot of people and also handling of money that as soon as you walk in my house you better wash your hands.That way you don't have to worry about bringing anything into the household and have to worry about spreading it. I am not washing my hands like I used to, but I still do it more than the typical person. How long did you all go on with hand washing?? I feel like most people do not wash their hands enough. That is why we are always sick. My twins are now 10 mo. old and weigh 17 and 18 lbs. They were born at 31 weeks weighing 2lbs 12 3/4oz and 3 lbs. 11 3/4 oz. They do not have any long term problems from their prematurity. The DR says that I can now treat them like a normal baby- But it is so hard to do that when you are so used to being so careful. ... for many many months we stayed home and were very careful about who handled our babies. I still do not let strangers come up and touch them.GRRRRRR-petpeeve!!!!"

Joyce answers, "Well, call me the overkill queen of paranoia, but I made people wash their hands until the kids were THREE! I would also change my clothes when I got home from work since I work in a public library and the germs are very abundant-ugh! The children did not have their first cold until they were 3. Hmmm, strange coincidence?"

Amy shares, "It's almost two years later and we still wash our hands several times a day and request that visitors do so before touching Zoe. For a while we were pretty lax about asking visitors to do so and she seemed to pick up more bugs. So now I request/tell others to do so."

Suzanne writes, "Every flu season, the news is filled with reports done by doctors about how all of us (adults) should wash our hands frequently if we want to stay healthy. All the other advice we already know is given too. It's pretty amazing that people would touch babies without washing their hands, its not like the information isn't out there. Perhaps you can ask if they remember seeing the info on the news and how it of course goes doubly so for preemie babies??"

Kavelina advises, "You know, probably you are keeping them safe from RSV, from colds and all number of bacteria!! I feel that if they are working as you say in the "people" industries, then they should be washing their hands. I always say that Celia, who is about 14 pounds at 11 1/2 mos, doesn't have that much weight to lose so we do not want to get her sick. A fact reinforce (people industry) when my BIL ( a high schooler) came and he was sick and 2 days later Celia and I were sick. His lasted maybe 5 days. However, we were sick for 15 days. YUCK!! I would keep having them wash their hands. As long as you feel comfortable... : )"

Marcey shares, "When my trips were born, we were told in the winter (RSV) season to wash hands all the time... no matter what their age.  I don't know if this helps but I know I didn't let anyone touch my kids... I have 2 surviving trips and they are just now getting out abit... and I mean only very little bit... not in crowds much and I don't let them play with other kids yet... just cousins and not if the cousins are sick. Well, hope all goes well and stick by your guns... you know what is best... and you are the person who will stay with the kids if they end up in the hospital because they can't ward off something due to someone who didn't wash their hands... seems petty but it is the truth... washing hands saves a great deal when you are talking about preemies."

Cathi adds, "Emily is 11 months corrected, and I STILL wash my hands.  Not as much as I did when she first came home, but I'm in the habit now, and it's just second nature now.  I wash them when ever I make bottles, whenever I've finished cooking (or when I get interrupted by the princess while I'm cooking), whenever I've finished changing a diaper, and before I feed her. Oh, and I ALWAYS wash them after using the restroom.  I found a great product that's a germ-killing gel.   It comes in a pump, and I keep one by the sink, and a tube in the diaper bag. It evaporates really fast and gives your hands a quick cleanup.  It's also great to use on shopping-cart handles, highchair tops, etc. - anything potentially germy.
If your relatives are giving you a hard time about washing hands, tell them tough, it's YOUR baby, and that you're not going to allow anyone else to put your baby's LIFE at risk because they have no consideration for your child's life, or risk of infection.
Yes, it sounds a bit harsh, but what's more important, your chills LIFE, or getting someone's feelings crinkled?"
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