play groups and catching bugs

[R TULLOCH]

Has anyone else had the problem of when ever I take my LO to a play group, within 12 - 24 hours she is sick with something?
What can be done? (If anything)  The toys they lay out must have the saliva of a thousand babies worked into them, and I bet they dont get washed or disinfected at the end of each day, I tried bringing along our own activity toy and the other kids just kept trying to grab it because it was something new 

I want my LO to socialise and make friends but its such hard work when she is ill - I dont take her as often as I would like to have.

Anyone else had this problem?

[Erin M]

Absolutely!  At the mom's group I go to, we take turns cleaning the nursery and the toys.  I also make sure I wash her hands as soon as we leave.

[sue]

It's a delicate balance.  You want them to be exposed to germs in a "healthy" amount so they can build up their immune system, but at the same time, the play group should have some pretty strict rules about cleanliness so the germs don't get out of control.  I would say an occasional mild illness would be acceptable (and possibly unavoidable) but if your little one is getting sick most of the time, they are not keeping up with acceptable sanitary conditions (are they washing the toys enough/thoroughly? are they wiping down snack tables?  change tables?  do the children wash their hands before snacks? etc.)

[hawkeye1315]

I'm not sure if this is the place for my question, but it is sort of related to this thread.  With regards to washing our LOs hands after playgroup.  Sometimes it's hard to get to some proper soap and water, so what are your opinions of using the waterless gel disinfectants on our LOs?  I am concerned it is too strong for their delicate skin.  Often I use a baby wipe to wipe his hands after a music class/playgroup. 

[sue]

A nurse at one of my baby groups said that baby wipes are only good for "wiping away the big stuff" and that they actually don't disinfect.  I assume she is talking about the alcohol free ones (which most of them are now because alcohol can irritate baby's skin).  I honestly don't know how accurate she is and was just now searching online for the answer with no luck.    Does anyone else know anything about this?

[estherofi20]

i always use those desifectant gels... no problems here... but i'm no expert

[aisling]

Is it possible you could ask the playgroup leader to have a "washing up bin?"  That is what we have at ours.  Any of the items that have been mouthed, they kindly ask the Mums to put them in this bin and not back in with the others.  They also have signs posted.  Everyone is really good about it.  Then one of the leaders washes the bin when it is full throughout the day.

HTH.

Aisling x

[Erin M]

I put some of the antibacterial gel on a wipe and spread it out a bit -- I think it kind of dilutes it a little and makes it easier to wipe.  DD is a dedicated thumb sucker, so I don't want her eating too much of it  - yuck