Avoiding Germs: Tips to Protect Your Baby’s Health Naturally

After having a baby, the world can seem like a germ-ridden place. You won’t be able to look at their toys or the floor they crawl on without worrying about every micro-organism. Babies have different ideas about things and can’t wait to explore and put everything into their mouths. Keeping your baby healthy and living in a germ-free environment isn’t easy, but you’ll find the following tips helpful in their protection:

Frequent Hand-washing

One of the most common ways to spread germs is through your hands. Throughout your busy day, you’ll touch a number of things that may have come in contact with bacteria or germs such as doorknobs, magazines, light fixtures, and the restroom door handle in a public place. Before you pick up your child, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. This also applies to keep your baby’s hands clean too. Use a gentle soap that’s strong enough to clean and sanitize and rub the hands together vigorously for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Timely Cleaning and Disinfecting

Preventing illness from germs starts with having a clean house. The kitchen and bathroom areas are breeding grounds for germs. You don’t need to use toxic cleaners to get a clean environment. Vinegar and environmentally safe products work just as well and can protect you and your baby from harmful fumes and toxins. Remember to clean areas that are especially dirty such as around the toilet, kitchen counters, and the floor where your toddler is learning to crawl. If a family member comes down with the flu or other illness, you’ll want to do a thorough cleaning after they’ve been around.

A Modern Changing Station

An infant’s changing station can house a significant amount of germs and bacteria. A washable Playard (like pack’n play) can be cleaned as needed, especially after a volatile diaper changing. Use gentle detergent and place in the washing machine for a good cleaning. Another natural way to properly clean your changing area is with vinegar and water. Not only is it safe and toxic-free, but your room will also smell fresh and clean.

Some Fresh Air

On a warm spring or summer day, you can open the windows and air your infant’s room out, especially after an illness. Fresh air adds better air quality to your home and can help your baby breathe easier. You can also get a room humidifier to stabilize the air in their room and keep their breathing passageway free and clear.

Sterilized Meal Tools

Babies are constantly placing things in their mouths and throwing them on the floor. You can sterilize their toys, pacifiers, bottles, and nipples by placing them in boiling water for a minimum of five minutes. This is enough time to kill any germs and bacteria living on the items. An infant’s high chair is also an area that needs extra attention. Babies are messy when they eat, and you need to give their chair good cleaning afterward.

The key to a healthy baby is to take some basic precautions of disinfecting your home, washing their changing station, and hand-washing. It’s important to keep a healthy balance and remember that you live in the real world and germs will happen.

A mom with memories of the germ wars, Ann Bailey posts these notes for households with an infant to toddler-aged children. A washable Playard (like pack’n play) will provide the protection and peace of mind any family deserves when trying to control cleanliness and sanitation while raising a small child.