Eeekk... Germs!

This article explains why we are so paranoid with wiping things around Ben (especially when we go out for family outing etc) as germs are everywhere!! In the article, it mentioned 4 common places where germs can hide which are:

Restaurant high chairs:
High chairs are pretty germy at home or at restaurants. However at a restaurant, you’ve got other kiddos germs to contend with. Use a natural wipe on the parts your child may touch or use a travel high chair cover.
(My feedback: What we do is before we place Ben into the high chair, hubby will hold Ben 1st while I, armed with a pack of baby wipes will go all around the high chair and wipe it all over. Surface, top, front, back, sides, underneath, plastic, wood, metal, whatever parts they are.

Hmm.. on another note, maybe we should consider getting a portable high chair or baby booster seat for dining purpose, at least we are assured of the cleanliness and no need to worry not enough baby chair at restaurants. But so far those I check on the Net is for up to 1 year old... 3 more mths left for Ben to fully utilise it before he turns 1 year old.

Anyone can recommend where to get a portable baby chair which is easy to carry around, preferably just strap onto existing adult chair?)

The park or other play area:
Not surprisingly, studies show that kid play areas are stuffed full with germs. While you can’t avoid these germs entirely, you can teach your little one not to be that child on the playground who licks the slide.

Mouth and eye contact is a fast way to spread icky germs. Make sure your child avoids mouth-equipment contact and that she doesn’t rub her eyes after playing until she’s washed her hands.
(My feedback: We try our best to wipe whatever that we're going to put Ben in or the very least we can do is to ensure he doesn't stuff his hands/fingers into his mouth until after we wiped em' clean)

The doctor’s office:
Some pediatricians have well-child areas for kids who only need check-ups. See if yours is one of them. If not limit exposure to other sick kiddos by making sure your tot shares no kisses with others, keeps toys out of her mouth, and washes her hands after playing with the toys in the waiting area. One smart idea is to bring your own toys and books, but most kids really want the toys at the office, so just wash hands after.
(My feedback: Oh heck... guilty guilty guilty!!! Although we hold and carry Ben around either in our arms or in the baby sling/carrier, I totally forgot about the weighing machine, the measurement deck and the bed where we placed Ben on for the paed to examine him. Gaaaaaahh... must be careful next time!)

Shopping cart handles:
I saw one study that noted that shopping cart handles are especially germy and dangerous because someone may have touched meat, then touched the handle. If your child touches that handle she could be exposed to illnesses like salmonella. This is one place where disinfectant wipes can be a good thing. One good choice are Mrs Meyers surface wipes. These are more environmentally friendly than other wipes, not tested on animals, and biodegradable. Plus they come in a small pack you can carry with you. (My feedback: We not only wipe the handles, we also wipe the seat all around it and the sides as well. Actually we tried not to put Ben in the shopping cart by bringing along our own baby stroller but Ben fusses after sitting long in the stroller and we got tired of holding him after a while - mind you, we had to push the stroller, shopping cart, occassionally push MIL in wheelchair and lug a 10kg baby so, in the end hubby put Ben in the shopping cart while I push the stroller and MIL. Picture shown here was Ben's 1st shopping cart adventure at Tesco)

To wrap this post up, we can never be too comfortable with anything around us. Germs lurk around in all places, just because we don't see the dirt and grimes at the surface doesn't mean its clean. Remember to always carry baby wipes and disinfectant stuff around with you at all times.