To not expect to have to do this at baby group?

[Hands124496]

I've been taking my son to a few sensory sessions. He's 8 months old.

Adults are asked to gel their hands with alcohol gel obviously that's fine and understandable. But they keep asking me to do my baby son's as well

To be honest I've just pretended to do it a couple of times but I'm just wondering if I'm unreasonable for feeling uncomfortable doing that and thinking it's an odd request.

The first thing my son does is put anything and everything in his mouth! I've no doubt if I rubbed gel in his hands he'd want to taste them! It also dries out my own hands having to do it everywhere nevermind a babies skin.

AIBU to think it's not reasonable to expect parents to gel their babies hands before a group?

I understand I don't have to go to that group, I'm just curious if others would find it weird.

Nope, no way. Covid is airborne, very little transmission via fomites, sanitising an 8 month old babies hands is awful I’m glad you didn’t do so. Babies NEED germs that’s how they build their immune systems up. A wet wipe is fine.

Baby’s put their hands in their mouths all the time so 1. I think gelling their hands would be pretty pointless anyway and 2. It would be cruel because it’s very drying on the skin and if they do put their hands in their mouth it would taste horrible to them

I wouldn't do it, mostly because it seems like an entirely pointless exercise for a child who's hands are going to be everywhere. You'd have to sanitize every 3 bloody minutes.

If he puts everything in his mouth then how is the 'anti bac' to stop germs spreading the problem?

It's there to protect your child from getting sick (as well as others) but if you don't like the rule then DONT GO, you don't have the right to attend then flaunt the rules though.

no one has asked my 6-month-old to sanitize their hand but then she never joins in or touches anything when we are out, frankly I remember how sick (from common colds, vomiting bugs etc...) my older two constantly go from these groups before a worldwide pandemic kicked in.

We sanitise my toddler's hands regularly and have all through the pandemic (so since he was 1) and he has had zero issue with sanitiser.

Iwouldnt because at that age, they are putting their hands in their mouth all the time and therefire he will out the alcohol gel in his mouth. The alvohol isnt the issue, its all theoter chemical in it that are.

Also, the washing hands all the time is outdated advice for covid. it's way down the list of helpful things to prevent covid when opening windows, wearing masks etc... are right at the top.

Which then bears the question: do they open windows? do they check CO2 levels in the room? What about some air filtration/ventilation system?

I would just wipe his hands with a baby wipe.

Seems a bit OTT doesn’t it. I wouldn’t be keen either.

How utterly bizarre. Agree with PP children under two SHOULD NOT use hand sanitiser. Point this out to staff and offer to baby wipe his hands. Find somewhere else if you’re uncomfortable.

Covid is spread in the air not by touch. So this is useless. Just say you are allergic and baby too.

I don’t think you’re being weird - I definitely wouldn’t do this either.
If people are THAT paranoid then why do they go to the class🙄

Yep, wipe with a baby wipe or wash hands but no hand sanitiser for an 8 month old. Wouldn’t want little ones eating it and unlikely to help stop spread in any way.

Bonkers.

I'm also sure it was proven that while hand sanitiser works, soap is far better.

@Stompythedinosaur

Just pop in the loo and wash his hands as an alternative? I don't like the idea of sanitising a baby's hands, but it isn't unreasonable to ask for them to be cleaned.

I came on here to say the exact same thing. I would prefer to do this.

My granddaughter got drunk from alcohol gel and we were within an inch of having to take her to hospital.

Not strange at all. More strange if not done. However I don't agree with alcohol gel as it's better to wash hands but in this situation totally expect gel for you and DC... especially dc

Its daft, a baby doesn't need to use hand sanitiser, so long as his hands are washed at some point that's fine.
My cat likes to suckle my fingers, she spat them out when she tasted hand sanitiser. I'm sure a baby would find it equally disgusting.

I used to sanitise my children’s hands AFTER baby groups many years pre-Covid. I used Milton or ones that are marketed for children and gentler on the skin. They pick up all sorts clambering around these places. But then I’m the sort of mother who once sanitised the chain of a swing before putting my PFB into it…

Just take your own gel or wipes and you’ll be fine.

I wouldn't use hand sanitiser on my baby either.

Just wash his hands instead. Babies' hands can get pretty mucky once they're crawling.

I wouldn't have when DD was that small. She had quite sensitive skin and was prone to eczema. I think it's quite harsh for baby skin too.

She's 2 now and will happily hold her hands out for gel now and I have no issues with it.

No one has asked for babies' hands to be done at any classes we have been to.

It’s annoying, but just pretend?

I totally see your point. Washing his hands would obviously be a better solution, but obviously it is pointless really as he will be sticking them in his mouth right after, so will be spreading any 'germs' he has anyway. I definitely wouldn't gel a babies hands, ever.

I would never use sanitiser on a baby or toddler. Apart from the fact that it is completely pointless, the alcohol content is extremely high (pretty much double the alcohol content of gin or vodka) and it also contains some pretty nasty chemicals to ensure it is undrinkable.