Pets and Newborns: A Hygiene Question
Yesterday I went to a fellow mom's home.
Her daughter is in the same class as Theresa-5.
She is a SAHM who sells Mary Kay (she has 2 other ladies under her).
She's nice, and she wanted me to stop by to chat...and buy some Mary Kay. More on that in my blog.
So I decided to stop by before it was time for Denim-4 to come out of school, which is around 1:30 on Thursdays.
I ring the doorbell, and she opens the door. Then I see this HUGE a*s Golden Retriver run up behind her. She assures me that he doesn't bite, and I proceed to come in.
She has her 4 year old twin nephews over (who don't go to our kids's school) and she just had a baby girl. barely a month old. she's in a swing in the walk-way to the kitchen.
I sit down at the kitchen counter on a bar stool, and i'm looking around her house. this is the first time i've been inside and i'm into fashion as a career, so naturally i love to see how people decorate their homes. Her's was a modern chic. Not my taste, but it was really cute. it didn't feel TOO contemporary, you know.
anyways, i'm sitting there, and she asked if i wanted something to drink. i tell her water. my usual.
...this is to never hurt someone's feelings. my husband says that i come off as a germaphobe at times. yeah, says he who has to rearrange the refrigerator late at night because someone put a Jell-O cup in the crisper!
anyways. she turns to get a glass and the dog runs up to the swing, and starts licking the baby's face like crazy!
"Oh! the dog is on the baby." i say.
she turns around and says, "it's okay. did you want cube ice or crushed ice?"
the baby girl is new...brand new. her skin is still cheesy and peeling! it's not a good idea for you as the mother to kiss the kid on the face, but you're cool with a dog, who licks his butt to lick your baby to the point where her pacifier flings out of her mouth to the floor??!?!?!?!?!?
i was beyond grossed out.
the baby started crying...more like a whine at that age. the mom goes over to pick her baby up. the twin boys are running and playing, so the dog starts playing with them.
then she's kissing the baby's face. her (the baby) face was wet from the dog.
i mean, all of this was happening as if nothing happen. like no biggie.
the baby stops, and she puts her back in the swing. THEN she turns and picks up the pacifier from the floor and puts it in her baby's mouth.
she didn't run some hot water on it, or even stick it in her mouth then the baby's. it just went straight from the floor to the newborn's mouth!!!!!!
now, we have 2 dogs, both the same size as hers and a with the same potential grossness.
i can see if this occurred with an older child. i can't count how many times i shreked because Denim was kissing the dogs. but a newborn???
when we got Penny (our Mastiff) Denim was a newborn. Theresa was about 1. Penny was a happy puppy, but she wasn't allowed on our bed or sofa, or anywhere we would have Denim laying.
She smelled him a few times, but she was kinda freaked out by him. we never left the situation open where she could essentially dry hump him.
i dunno. am i over-protective?
isn't a newborn ultra sensitive, and a dog licking them is an alarm ringer for their immune system that isn't fully adjusted to life outside of the womb yet?
i told my husband last night and he started laughing at me. he thought i was making it up. he says,
"what mother would let a dog lick her brand new baby??? Come on Zic...you would never do that. Why would she? Aren't most American women the same?". then he thought about the last comment and tried to clean it up.
but tell me moms...would you let a dog lick your baby? would you drop a pacifier and stick it right back in your baby's mouth without rinsing it off??? should i have said something?
Her daughter is in the same class as Theresa-5.
She is a SAHM who sells Mary Kay (she has 2 other ladies under her).
She's nice, and she wanted me to stop by to chat...and buy some Mary Kay. More on that in my blog.
So I decided to stop by before it was time for Denim-4 to come out of school, which is around 1:30 on Thursdays.
I ring the doorbell, and she opens the door. Then I see this HUGE a*s Golden Retriver run up behind her. She assures me that he doesn't bite, and I proceed to come in.
She has her 4 year old twin nephews over (who don't go to our kids's school) and she just had a baby girl. barely a month old. she's in a swing in the walk-way to the kitchen.
I sit down at the kitchen counter on a bar stool, and i'm looking around her house. this is the first time i've been inside and i'm into fashion as a career, so naturally i love to see how people decorate their homes. Her's was a modern chic. Not my taste, but it was really cute. it didn't feel TOO contemporary, you know.
anyways, i'm sitting there, and she asked if i wanted something to drink. i tell her water. my usual.
...this is to never hurt someone's feelings. my husband says that i come off as a germaphobe at times. yeah, says he who has to rearrange the refrigerator late at night because someone put a Jell-O cup in the crisper!
anyways. she turns to get a glass and the dog runs up to the swing, and starts licking the baby's face like crazy!
"Oh! the dog is on the baby." i say.
she turns around and says, "it's okay. did you want cube ice or crushed ice?"
the baby girl is new...brand new. her skin is still cheesy and peeling! it's not a good idea for you as the mother to kiss the kid on the face, but you're cool with a dog, who licks his butt to lick your baby to the point where her pacifier flings out of her mouth to the floor??!?!?!?!?!?
i was beyond grossed out.
the baby started crying...more like a whine at that age. the mom goes over to pick her baby up. the twin boys are running and playing, so the dog starts playing with them.
then she's kissing the baby's face. her (the baby) face was wet from the dog.
i mean, all of this was happening as if nothing happen. like no biggie.
the baby stops, and she puts her back in the swing. THEN she turns and picks up the pacifier from the floor and puts it in her baby's mouth.
she didn't run some hot water on it, or even stick it in her mouth then the baby's. it just went straight from the floor to the newborn's mouth!!!!!!
now, we have 2 dogs, both the same size as hers and a with the same potential grossness.
i can see if this occurred with an older child. i can't count how many times i shreked because Denim was kissing the dogs. but a newborn???
when we got Penny (our Mastiff) Denim was a newborn. Theresa was about 1. Penny was a happy puppy, but she wasn't allowed on our bed or sofa, or anywhere we would have Denim laying.
She smelled him a few times, but she was kinda freaked out by him. we never left the situation open where she could essentially dry hump him.
i dunno. am i over-protective?
isn't a newborn ultra sensitive, and a dog licking them is an alarm ringer for their immune system that isn't fully adjusted to life outside of the womb yet?
i told my husband last night and he started laughing at me. he thought i was making it up. he says,
"what mother would let a dog lick her brand new baby??? Come on Zic...you would never do that. Why would she? Aren't most American women the same?". then he thought about the last comment and tried to clean it up.
but tell me moms...would you let a dog lick your baby? would you drop a pacifier and stick it right back in your baby's mouth without rinsing it off??? should i have said something?
Tags: baby, dogs, hygiene, newborn, parenting, pets
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anci on -
but tell me moms...would you let a dog lick your baby? would you drop a pacifier and stick it right back in your baby's mouth without rinsing it off???
no way!!! I absolutely agree with you!! yuck!!
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Permalink Reply by The Peveteaux-Goldmans on -
Ha! We have a cocker spaniel, and as someone who has battled allergies my whole life I believe in letting your kids be around animals and a little dirt so as not to completely sterilize them and ultimately hurt their immune system. But that's just gross. My dog licks my almost three-year-old on the face occasionally, and I think it is cute (as does she). But the new baby will be shielded from dog saliva, at least until he's closer to a year, or able to defend himself :)
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Permalink Reply by momolly on -
"should i have said something?"
Well, you did say something! You told her the dog was licking the baby's face, and she said it was OK. Maybe that's not the reaction you were hoping for, but it's her kid, and like it or not, she's gonna do whatever she wants with her kid.
I was a total germaphobe when my son was first born- my poor dog went from being the "baby" to being a pariah- I barely touched her for the first month of my son's life, and she definitely does not get the same amount of cuddles she did before baby. Would I stand for someone's dog licking MY son's face? Hell no. But if a neighbor's dog licks her kid's face...well...I guess I'll just be grossed out in silence.
I think we're always going to come across people who parent differently than we would- but it's really not your job to tell people how to parent. Unless you witness something that is actually abusive or neglectful, there's not much you can do. (and unfortunately, even sometimes if you see something abusive, there is not always much you can do, other than to notify "the authorities"). The power you have is in deciding who gets to be around your kids.
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Permalink Reply by Zicea Becks on -
Oh wow.
Why when I was dropping off the kids this morning, the woman spotted me and wanted to chat?
This wasn't so bad, because i half-way like her.
I asked, "so how are things?"
she's like, "well we tried to do a gingerbread house. but that didn't work."
i go, "yeah, they are harder than they look on cheesy Christmas movies. good thing is, it's still edible."
she says, "exactly. no waste!" laughs. "it's been horrible for Cally [the newborn]. she has this horrible rash."
the baby was in the car, and she wanted me to look at the baby's rash. so i walk over, open the door, and the baby's in her car seat. her little face and neck was all prickly. you know, the typical little bumps you see on your baby's face if you've been kissing them too much in the face (from loving grandparents' adoration).
i go, "aww. poor babe." as i rubbed her foot.
she goes, "i don't know how this could've happend. i called her pediatrician and he said to wait a few days before bringing her in....i hope it goes away. i don't want the doctor to tell me she's allergic to something."
I play it off. "oh it will go away in a few days, i'm sure."
"you don't think it's the dog? maybe she's allergic to the dog! I don't want to have to lose my dog." she says as she puts her hands over her mouth as though she just saw a 3 car pile-up.
in my mind, i'm like, "Naw b*tch. the baby didn't break out because you let your dog give her a bath. the baby broke out because there is dog dander in the air, and little speckles landed on her face, and the magic baby fairy said, "let there be rash!"
but whatever. i just smiled and said that i hope the baby feels better, and walked away.
if people want to do that with their kid, then so be it.
i'm not going to say anything to anyone about their kids.
it's like i've been running into a bunch of 'i don't give a damns'. well i can not give a damn just as much.
i don't expect people to raise their kids the same way i raised mine, but what the f*ck?
then she wants to play retardo like she has no idea why her baby looks like a poster child for Desitin.
it's like there are no common standards anymore.
just do whatever the hell you want and play stuck on stupid later.
well, from now on, i'm not going to say anything. but the same rule applies as always. if you ask, i'm going to tell you the truth. so if she comes back asking about the rash, i'm gonna say it's from butt-licker licking her baby.
if your kid almost gets side swiped while playing outside. oh well. maybe you shouldn't let them ride their bike in the street with those teen boys who parent's just got them an Escalade (more on those a*ses in another post). but that's not my business. you do what you want with your kid.
if it's true, then i have no problem saying it. no more diplomatic mommy.
and once more, Theresa doesn't even like the little girl!
I asked her if she wanted to set a play date with Morgan (the older daughter). She told me that she doesn't know Morgan. which is more of a good reason to set up a play date, i say.
she said that she doesn't like her. she cries in class for attention and claims that no one likes her. so when the teacher forces some of the kids to play with her, she gets bossy and takes other people's dolls from them (on Thursday's they are allowed to bring their toys from home a la show and tell style).
now, if this were Penelope-7, i would say that she's just a moody snot (like her ol' mommy), but Theresa is more of a people pleaser. and she normally falls prey of bossy children.
now, i didn't want Theresa not to be friends with Morgan just because the mama is nasty. so i was pushing it.
Theresa just broke down and was like, "SHE'S MEAN, MOMMY!" and started crying.
F*ck. okay, okay. don't cry. so i left it at that.
so now, this morning, mom is slow. theresa doesn't even like the reason why we were speaking to each other in the first place.....i think this means i don't have to really hang out with her (the mom) anymore.
we have nothing in common. our daughters just go to the same school. not enough qualification for me to socialize with you.
i'll continue to smile. and keep the chatter down to "how are you? ....GREAT!" and exit.
and i don't have to worry about having MK forced on me. (she gave me flyer to go to her area meeting this morning).
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Permalink Reply by SamEsmomma on -
Playing devil's advocate here.... Dogs' saliva has some antibacterial properties. Obviously if a dog is eating poo or licking butts, germs will be transferred, but if you have a healthy, vaccinated dog who doesn't stick its face in gross things, there shouldn't be any danger to the baby. Additionally, some exposure to germs helps humans to develop more efficient immune systems (which is why vaccinations work-- they expose your immune system to small amounts of virus so that your immune system learns how to fight it before you are exposed to larger amounts).
Incidentally, I have a newborn and two dogs (both healthy, fully vaccinated, and not poop-eaters). My little dog is in love with the baby and wants to know where he is at all times. A few times she has tried to lick milk from his face and bib. I've stopped her immediately and cleaned his face, but I haven't freaked out about it.
For the record, I would never give my baby a paci that fell on the floor. That is waaaay grosser than dog saliva. People walk on the floor after they have been walking all over the place, including the sidewalk, maybe the bus or the doctors office, etc. I keep enough pacifiers around that I always have a clean one so the dropped one can go in the dishwasher.
As far as saying something to her, I wouldn't. You let her know of the situation, and she responded the way she felt was appropriate. Questioning someone's parenting style isn't a place you want to go. As far as the rash, I'm sure the doctor will figure it out.
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Permalink Reply by Tiffany on -
I have 3 dogs. They have licked my son since we brought him home (I don't promote it, but it happens). He's almost 2. Now he drinks out of their dog water bowl. He's only had 2 colds in his like. I think their germs make his immune system stronger (or that's what I like to believe).
I did rinse off his binky when it fell on the floor. He only used it for 6 months though.
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Permalink Reply by Tami on -
would you let a dog lick your baby? yes
would you drop a pacifier and stick it right back in your baby's mouth without rinsing it off??? yes
should i have said something? No
Honestly germs are good for you, they help your body build immunity. I won't worry about it so much.
My 3 kids are all fine, rarely sick - perhaps 1 cold a year if that.
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Permalink Reply by Zicea Becks on
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Umm..thanks for the reply...this is from crap from months ago. That lady is vapor to me.
I'm glad to see that people let their kids pick up germs on purpose though.
My kids rarely get sick too...and I'm border line germ-a-phobe.
So I guess we're both right.
Does this mean if you drop your fork at dinner, you just pick it up and keep eating??? I mean...same concept, right???
And if so, then why wash our hands? Germs are good for us, right???
No one is saying be spick and span, but come the hell on?
But, that's how you roll. Not my problem.
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