S.J. asks from Slinger, WI on April 29, 2007
How Do You Wash a Baby's Hands?
I have a silly question.
When we go out and about, my 8 month old grabs and touches everything, and then, of course, sticks his hands in his mouth. So then I chase after his wiggly hands with a baby wipe and try to wipe them down, but how clean does that really get them?
What do you mommies do to wash your babies' hands? Thanks!!
Featured Answers
L.M. answers from Minneapolis on May 03, 2007
A baby wipe does just fine. I would not use the antibacterial or anything like that because he does put his hands in his mouth and those just have added chemicals.
Wipes are good enough to wipe their bottoms clean. If they can clean that up then they can certainly clean the small amount of stuff that gets on their hands from touching "gross" things.
More Answers
A.S. answers from Rochester on April 30, 2007
I always wiped my kids hands with baby wipes than when we were getting ready to leave i would take them in the bathroom to wash with soap and water.
D.S. answers from Minneapolis on May 01, 2007
Don't worry so much. I was just reading on babycenter.com that baby drool has an almost antibacteral quality that protects babies from germs. I can't remember what it was exactly. But it's the reason babies can bite, chew, and suck on things and not get as sick was we would. You should look it up.
J.R. answers from Minneapolis on April 30, 2007
I bought a container of antibacterial Wet Ones at Walmart. I used to use the baby wipes all the time too but never felt like they were REALLY clean. These are in one of those nice pop up containers or you can get other sizes of them too. I just put it in my diaper bag and we're good to go. I also use them for cleaning off the tables at fast food places and for the handles of the carts at the stores. You can also use them for diaper changes too according to the container.
Anyways, I love them. I don't think you can ever be too clean out in public. My kids can get their germ exposure at home, school and in my yard, not in public places! Yuk :o(
J.
R.L. answers from Minneapolis on April 30, 2007
I use baby wipes all the time to clean my little ones hands. and then as soon as i can find a bathroom i will wash them with soap and water...
L.M. answers from Minneapolis on May 03, 2007
A baby wipe does just fine. I would not use the antibacterial or anything like that because he does put his hands in his mouth and those just have added chemicals.
Wipes are good enough to wipe their bottoms clean. If they can clean that up then they can certainly clean the small amount of stuff that gets on their hands from touching "gross" things.
M.M. answers from Milwaukee on April 30, 2007
I would not suggest anything antibacterial. it's in essence using antibiotics and helps create resistant bacteria and can lead to your child becoming more susceptiable to germs. Let your kids get dirty and get exposed to germs. Wash his hands with soap and water when they get gross under running water or yeah like everyone else babywipes are good. I'd be a little worred about what chemicals were on the wipes so i would use those less sparingly seeming he will stick his hands in his mouth. I usually just run them under water just like we do.
M.M. answers from Minneapolis on April 30, 2007
When my son touches something REALLY gross (i.e. hands down his diaper) or something that could make him sick (i.e. cheese), I take him in the bathroom, stick his hands under the water and scrub them with soap. I use regular soap, not the antibacterial because that stuff is so bad for the environment. Otherwise, as much as I cringe when he touches normally gross things i just tell myself that germs are ok, in fact germs can be good, and I have to get over my issues.
R. answers from Minneapolis on April 30, 2007
Purell makes antibacterial hand wipes if you are worried about the germs, otherwise the baby wipe will do a good enough job. Kids need some germs to build up their immune system.
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