Clean hands

Being a fairly new mother, I have learned so much more about babies and children in the last year that I thought I already knew. Through experiences, as well as reading books and asking friends for advice, I have gathered more knowledge than I thought I needed as a Mom - and I know there is more to learn! :)

My latest thought about my almost 5 month old (crazy) is why on earth people think it's alright to insert their fingers into my babies mouth!!? Maybe it doesn't bother you and to be honest, I didn't think it would ever bother me - however....it does!

Go with me for a minute. Think about the last time you washed your hands? I mean, really washed your hands - with warm water, soap, rubbing all over hands - including finger nails, while singing your ABC's? (A trick we taught our preschoolers at work to make sure they were washing long enough). My guess is probably 80% of the time we don't do this (maybe more). So then, why should you place your fingers in ANY child's mouth? My answer is, you shouldn't! Now I understand that not everyone does this. In fact, I have only ever done it with Brogan, my child, after I know my hands are clean. So don't be upset and get all defensive, because I know there are people out there that don't do this. :)

BUT! Let me ask you this question....have you ever grabbed a babies hand and placed your finger in their tiny hands? My son is 2 days shy of being 5 months old, and for weeks now everything has gone into his mouth. Everything. To me, you might as well stick your finger in his mouth because after you've placed your finger in his hand, where do you think his hand goes? Yup, you guessed it, into his mouth.



Now as I write this, I think who am I? haha! I am not a germaphobe, by any means! But this bothers me to no end. I guess it's because I don't want my son to get sick and I am being all mama-bearish about protecting him. And I know germs are good and that I can't protect him from everything, but this seems like something people ought to think about. How clean are my hands? If you seriously think about all of the things that you touch in a day and how many other people have touched that very thing, you would be washing your hands constantly. Because let's face it, even if you do indeed wash your hands often and properly, who's to say that the lady that just left the bathroom and turned the door knob did? Or the guy that just sneezed in his hand? Gross.


Which brings me to my next point and really the thing I struggle with most. How do I politely ask people not to do this? It's almost everyone's first instinct to grab a babies hand. I don't want to be rude or seem crazy, so I normally don't say anything.

Excuse me while I go wash my hands. (: