To not want the dog near my baby?

[changednamealways]

I see so many people letting their dogs lick their babies and slaver all over them, I couldn't think of anything worse. Aren't dogs mouths full of germs, they lick their own bums after all? I even hate my baby crawling on the carpet because the dog walks on there when he's walked outside barefoot, probs through his own wee. Is anyone else like this or am I being a bit over protective? Can the germs do him any harm? He's 5mo:)

YANBU
Dogs and babies are not a good mix in my opinion too. I’d have where the baby crawls be a dog free zone for cleanliness reasons. Dogs should not be allowed to lick babies because their immune systems are still developing and various germs can transfer that are nasty and harmful. The dog may also decide to nip baby, which with their delicate skin can easily break skin, bleed and scar. Babies and toddlers should never be left in same room as a dog without an adult to supervise and closely watch the dog.

Studies show that javing pets is extremely good for children's immune systems and for exposure to allergies. I'm not ready to say YABU it's really a matter of personal taste. Do some research and make an informed decision. Speak to your child's GP and look at peer reviewed studies on the subject

Well I wash my dogs feet, as baby or no baby I don’t want anyone’s dirty feet in my house! My dog isn’t a ‘licker’ I wouldn’t be a fan of too many licks, as their mouths do have a lot of bacteria. The NHS have a post about dogs and good gut bacteria. Loads of people have dogs growing up, to my knowledge I’ve never read or heard about doggy germs harming a child’s health. I’d say you are being a little over protective, but no harm in teaching your dog not to lick if you don’t like it. Enjoy your baby and your dog

I agree about the licking, not so much about the carpet unless you never walk on it either. Carpets are pretty filthy when you think about it, but I never worried about DS crawling about on them.

My aunt is a secondary science teacher and did an experiment once leaving dog slaver, cat slaver and human spit in petri dishes or similar for a week.

The bacteria in the cat spit was abundant. Human spit almost as bad. Dog, barely visible.

YANBU about the licking but you are being a bit precious about the crawling where the dog has walked , a bit of dirt won’t hurt your baby .

Yanbu,,,dog lick & babies don't mix in my opinion.
If a husband licked & picked his backside I'd expect him.to wash his hands before he went anywhere near a person and if his hand went near his mouth 😛😛 wrong !!

You're over reacting. Your child will no doubt grow up to be one of those kids that are scared if a dog so much as looks in their direction. Exposure to a dog will build up your child's immune system.

Carpets you are being unreasonable.
Licking less so. Saying that both me and my husband grew up with dogs, who I'm sure licker us and we seem to be okay.
Personally though I wouldn't let a dog get that near to a baby's face, dont let my cats get too near my baby and I imagine they'd do less harm than a dog.

As far as I know, a dog’s mouth is vert clean and more hygienic than a cat or even a human!

Unless your baby has a weak immune system then it will be okay with the dog. As others have said, carpets can be grim. If you remove shoes at the front door your carpets will be less dirty.

I wouldn’t like a dog licking my babies when they were crawling though.

Actually it reduces your child’s chance of allergies so it’s not all bad. Farmers’ kids have the least allergies - if dirt is good then that explains why my farming cousins were so hearty!

My dogs have never been allowed to lick anyone, much less a baby. With regards to the carpet I always had a tummy time mat for them when they were tiny that the dog was not allowed to touch and was picked up when not in use. As they got bigger I got a play mat (a big rug with farm complete with tracks, fields etc) that again I picked up when they weren't using it. Along with hoovering every day at least once (he is a very hairy dog). None of my dc have ever got sick from the dog .

I don't think dogs and babies mix, either, but a few germs aren't a problem.

Having some boundaries for reasons of safety and hygiene is a good idea. However, as a PP has said, babies and children who grow up with pets (particularly dogs I think) have far fewer allergies than those who grow up without. As far as I know and can remember from studies, this includes fewer food allergies too! Although I don't know a great deal about how that works....perhaps another poster can shed some light.

I had a dog when my children were small, didn’t worry about washing dogs or children’s hands after touching the dog. Children are now late 20’s and have never had a proper tummy bug or anything other than a basic cold so based on my experience (and identical extended family experience) I would say you are being unreasonable.

Is it your own dog?
If you don't allow your dog to lick your own face, don't let it lick your childs.
Carpets are gross anyway - nothing to do with dogs.
But to me your OP sounds OTT and anxious.

If it were me, I wouldn't have carpets anyway but a dog licking the face wouldn't bother me.

Please read Dr Jenna Macciochi Immunity:The Science of Staying Well if you want to know more about the research behind it.

I have a dog and I live him but he's not allowed to lock me never mind any of my children, especially when they were babies. I can't stand seeing people let dogs like them all over their face and in their mouths, its absolutely disgusting.

I wouldn't be too bothered. I'd probably stop the licking (although I also wouldn't freak out at a lick or two, dogs mouths aren't actually as unclean as you think) but I certainly wouldn't be bothered about the carpets. Carpets are gross either way imo but nothing to get worked up about. Some germ exposure is good for the immune system.

The only thing that would be going through my mind when it comes to dogs and babies would be not leaving them alone together due to the possibility of aggression more than anything else.

@WildWaterSwimmer how so when he lives with a dog and interacts with it constantly? I don't have an issue with him stroking him and playing nicely, you're the one over reacting there haha

I have a dog, she’s not particularly licky tbf but it’s never really worried me.
She used to love sleeping next to the kids when they were babies.

I mean, dogs sniff at and sometimes eat other animal’s poo so I’ve always felt a bit 🤢 about it personally!!

My kids grew up being licked and their children are licked by the family pooch. No harm done what so ever. My dogs adore kids and can't help the odd face kiss 😅

My partner was very similar about our dog and the baby at first. Took a few months for her to get over it. I understand, although don't agree with, the no licking thing, it was the floor that annoyed me. Sweeping and mopping before our daughter was allowed down onto it...every time.

Once our daughter started to crawl though, she realised she wouldn't be able to control and sterilise the environment constantly, so she eased off and is alot better with it now.

Our dog never licks our daughters face, but does lick her hands if she's been eating previously. She finds it hilarious and she's just getting to the stage where she will seek the dog out for a little cuddle.

I can't get too worked up about dirt and germs, but that's just me.