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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take a baby to lambing day

24 replies

Mammie81 · 27/03/2011 11:16

Not really an AIBU but need a quick answer as we are going this afternoon!

Theres no danger is there? Done a quick google search, nothing comes up. I know its unsafe for pregnant women as we went last year and they had signs up (although I was actually 2 weeks pregnant then and didnt know it yet!)

DP was a bit concerned but I dont think theres any danger. DS is not actually going to be touching the animals and neither am I!

OP posts:
LessNarkyPuffin · 27/03/2011 11:18

No touching, but also no touching of things that those dealing with the lambing have touched.

NoWittyName · 27/03/2011 11:18

Ditto to what LNP said.

Psammead · 27/03/2011 11:20

I wonder what would be dangerous?

Is it a day when the lambs are born?

What could pose a risk? Do the blighters shoot out really fast? Or is there a danger of crazy hormonal ewes stampeeding?

PrincessConsuelaBananaHamok · 27/03/2011 11:21

listeriosis??

obv you will be v careful with handwashing there, yes?

Original poster
Mammie81 · 27/03/2011 11:22

Ive been every year and they are scrupulous with the hand washing. Have alcohol gel everywhere and a room for hand washing which you have to walk through to get out.

Im taking the carrier so its not even like the wheels of the pram will get contaminated. I think DP is being a bit over cautious.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 27/03/2011 11:24

Psammead, visiting pregnant ewes and newborn lambs (to watch/help them feed and pet them/coo, make aah noises) is risky because of the infections that pregnant sheep and newborns may have. They can cause miscarriages. Infections like chlamydiosis, toxplasmosis and listeriosis. You're such a townie. Grin

scuzy · 27/03/2011 11:25

never heard of this!!!

beesimo · 27/03/2011 11:27

You need to tell the bairn that sometimes the lambs can be born 'asleep' it dosen't happen that often but it can be upsetting. We have school trips to our place and the town bairns love it. All you have to do is mind you shut the gates and don't go on the wander and you'll have a lovely day out.

DuplicitousBitch · 27/03/2011 11:29

i grew up on a farm, i really don't know how i survived

squeakytoy · 27/03/2011 11:29

Assuming your children are not pregnant, then the "dangers" are absolutely minimal.

Psammead · 27/03/2011 11:29

Gosh.

I never knew that. Sounds cute though! I mean apart from the risk to life and limb.

Lambs almost make me want to be vegetarian.

beesimo · 27/03/2011 11:29

Show of Hands

You'd wilt the grass you walk upon

Can nobody say anything on this bloody net thing without someone has to be the voice of dooooom!

ShowOfHands · 27/03/2011 11:31

The risk is with pregnant women really and only in lambing season. And any farm open to the public will have signs everywhere warning you of this. The risk is minimal but in the same bracket as 'don't change cat litter' or 'wash all veg thoroughly' or 'wear gloves to garden'. Standard advice but doesn't often come up in day to day life.

ShowOfHands · 27/03/2011 11:33

Where's the dooooooom beesimo? I've lived on a farm for years. I was explaining to Psammead why they advise pg women not to rub themselves on pregnant/newborn sheep.

Salmotrutta · 27/03/2011 11:34

I've never heard of a lambing day either! Is it at some sort of petting zoo or something Confused?

And I'm not a townie - we have farms all round us here. But they don't do a lambing day - it goes on for days on end and isn't considered a spectator sport. LOL

When I was growing up I used to help out at on friend's farm during lambing time. It was great fun - no worrying about health and safety in those days!

Original poster
Mammie81 · 27/03/2011 11:38

Its just a day where you can go in and see the baby's being born. Its very cute.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 27/03/2011 11:39

Lambing days are just a way of increasing revenue and letting people see lambs being born, newborns being cared for etc. They usually have tractor rides and stuff too.

And it's just better knowledge of risks. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and frolicked amongst lambs and pigs with no knowledge of the infection risks to pg women (though I knew how many stillborn lambs you got).

They know now there's a small risk to pg women, they make it clear to you so that you can make a decision/minimise the risk to yourself. It's not elf and safety or the world gone mad, it's just a better understanding of miscarriage risk.

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 11:41

Where is it? I need a day out Grin

caughtinanet · 27/03/2011 11:42

Yes, I'd take a baby and did with my DCs

beesimoo - are you joking about still born lambs ? By baby I assume the OP means a child under a year old

GentleOtter · 27/03/2011 11:46

You will be fine, just good handwashing if you touch anything. (Sometimes you can pick up orf and ringworm etc from fenceposts.)

I agree with beesimo that some lambing is not always straightforward but they may take the sheep away from view if it is struggling.

We are hovering over our flock as there may be lambs quite soon. Smile

beesimo · 27/03/2011 11:47

SOH

Actually we don't charge a brass farthing

Thanks for tips I will watch out for mad pregnant women who want to rub themselves on pregnant sheep and newborns.

ShowOfHands · 27/03/2011 11:53

You don't beesimo, most of the places round here do (including the farm I've lived on for years- just moved). And it's because they're otherwise struggling sadly. But it's not prohibitive and worth it usually.

I love lambing days and watching children enjoy them is just fabulous. You are right to point out that sometimes it isn't straightforward though.

Psammead · 27/03/2011 11:56

Nothing wrong with knowing the risks Smile

I was ignorant and now I know.

I would love to come to a lambing it's not put me off or anything.

Psammead · 27/03/2011 11:58

beesimo you should totally charge! I would pay.

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