Why I Let My Baby Get Dirty

There's a lot that can make you sick these days: environmental pollutants, germs mutating into stronger genes that take even stronger doses of medicine to get rid of, allergens that seem to be becoming more serious with each generation....it's enough to make your head swim.  Many people these days overcompensate for the germs and pollutants by assuming that if you are absolutely germ-free and full of medicine then nothing will be able to hurt you. Makes sense right?  Well, not entirely. While western medicine definitely has its place, the human body was designed to fight off illness and have an immune system in place that would adapt as needed.  No, we are not superhuman and are impervious to any and all disease or infection, but to assume that our bodies are so frail that we must live in a bubble is just a waste of time and energy.

I'm assuming you are all educated people, but for those who live under a rock or in their beautiful plastic bubble, here's the Barney style of it:  For the immune system to properly function and protect a body, it must be introduced to a variety of germs, allergens and pollutants.  No, do not take your kid to the nuclear plant.  No, do not keep them around someone with the bubonic plague.  However, the mild germs that are in dirt, plants, and on household animals are a great way to build up the immune system and allow it to start maturing, so that it can handle stronger germs and allergens, viruses and such.

     

  Allowing your baby to play with the animals and get their hands and feet dirty is a great way to do this.  Our dog loves to lick baby B's face, although it annoys him so we try to limit it. The cat loves to lick his head for some reason.  And we allow it.  We've let B play in the grass and feel the leaves on plants and trees, literally since his 5th day earthside.  Not only is it sensory and engaging his brain, but it's helping to make him healthy since his immune system can start working.

Now, before anyone gets their panties in a twist, we do not leave our kid dirty and grimy.  He gets a bath every single night.  We wipe his face and hands after he plays or eats.  And although we do not blindly follow the CDC when it comes to vaccinations, we have chosen what we feel to be the most important ones.  And he has only had one cold thus far, and one ear infection which was brought about by his reflux.  Obviously he's going to get sick every now and then, and it's always possible that he will end up with a disease, God forbid.  But by allowing him to play and get dirty, this incredibly important exposure to his environment will help build up his natural defenses, and hopefully help minimize future illnesses.  The germs are good.



Embrace the good germs, people.  Embrace!

Brooke is not currently amused by baby B sitting on her to catch her tail!