Mom too worried with germs and disease
I've a six month old baby. He's very healthy. My girlfriend (his mom)
is literally terrified by the "dirt, germs, bacteria, and viruses" and any
illness they could cause.
So..just to name a few, she wash child hands constantly when other adults touch them. She wash floors and baby toys after someone came into the house. And she does not allow that other babies (ie. his cousins) touch our baby...
I think that all this is a bit too exaggerated, especially the isolation from other babies - although I understand the concern. My girlfriend say that she behaves so until our baby will be one year old.
She is right, or she is following her fears?
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(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, your doctor or your girlfriend's doctor)
It is possible that your girlfriend is experiencing postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The hormonal changes during and after pregnancy are associated with multiple mental health issues, most prominent postpartum depression, but also the lesser known postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD.
While the most common symptom of postpartum OCD are obsessive thoughts about harming the infant, another symptom is fear of exposing the child to something harmful, for example diseases or toxins.
If you talk to your girlfriend and get the impression that she is having intrusive thoughts, or can't stop doing what she is doing, or get the impression that she herself is suffering from her actions, try to suggest talking to her doctor (whichever doctor she trusts most - for example her gynecologist, pediatrician or GP can all refer her to a specialist) about it. While the OCD often goes away on its own, the symptoms can be treated.
Again, not saying that this is definitely the case here, but it is something to be aware of. Talking to her about why she does what she is doing (is she afraid the child will die, for example?) showing her that this is not recommended should be the first thing to do.
Estimates of how many women show postpartum OCD vary greatly - I could find estimates between 1 and 10 percent. Unfortunately, most scientific studies I could find about this are behind a pay wall.
Prenatal and Postnatal OCD
Onset and Exacerbation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Babies/children build up their immune systems by being exposed to germs and dirt. Keeping them away from germs and dirt actually gives them a weaker immune system. (http://www.webmd.com/parenting/d2n-stopping-germs-12/kids-and-dirt-germs)
This is not to say that you should bring your baby hang out with plague victims. Some germs (mold etc) can make baby really sick.
The following web page gives some sensible guidelines: www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/germs-and-babies.aspx
Like Martin, I think Dave's answer is the correct one --too sterile an environment has been convincingly shown to be harmful. However, I think it's also important to understand this from your girlfriend's point of view. This kind of paranoia is very common among first-time parents, so try to be understanding of her, she's just doing what she thinks is best for your child. Hopefully once she sees the actual research, she'll understand that her actions are counter-productive, and change her behaviors.
You both might enjoy these "first child, second child" commercials --they show how universal this is: youtube.com/watch?v=ZMhHzucl9lI youtube.com/watch?v=UyhJazT3kqo
On top of Dave Clarke's answer (which is the answer in my opinion), I would suggest that you and your girlfriend look at other people's kids of different ages and talk to their parents. My wife and I could tell you stories of all the disgusting things our kids licked and chewed, and they survived fine to be (so far!) well-adjusted teenagers.
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