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Original poster

What is the current park “etiquette”...?

58 replies

fireflylanegirls · 21/02/2021 13:47

I’m a (very) anxious first time mum, and have been living under a rock for the last year....

My son has recently turned one, he’s becoming really active and playful and I was thinking I’d love to take him to the park.

We’ve been before but never used the baby swings etc.

So I’m wondering, what do you do?

Should I wipe swings before and after we use them? Would I take some gentle anti bac wipes for my sons hands.

I don’t want to appear to me the “looney” mum who’s washing everything (baby included) down, but since I’ve never used a park during the pandemic, I’m really anxious on what I SHOULD be doing.

Any advice please?

OP posts:
Blibbler · 21/02/2021 13:50

Ive not seen any wiping of equipment. I do keep my kids in gloves but thats mostly been due to the weather and we wash hands when home. I can see with a younger child you might want to use wiles on hands as more likely to put hands in their mouths.

Moltenpink · 21/02/2021 13:52

Where I live it’s all normal in the park, the kids play with no social distancing and the adults stand round chatting. I haven’t noticed anyone wipe stuff down but it makes sense & wouldn’t judge anyone who did!

Camomila · 21/02/2021 13:53

I have a just turned one year old, I've just been letting him play as normal but I wiped his hands with a babywipe before giving him a snack.

Bert2020 · 21/02/2021 13:54

Like pp I kept my daughter in gloves and washed hands at home and a full outfit change. She also licked a piece of equipment so we haven’t been back. I would take your little one during the week if you are able when it’s quieter. If you want to wipe before your one uses then do so, I know I wouldn’t think you strange for it.

AubergineDream · 21/02/2021 13:55

The kids play totally as normal in our local parks, parents stand a bit further apart than they used to, but chat, no masks. I bring some wipes or hand gel for before they have a snack if having a snack on the walk home, I've not seen anyone else do that though. It's the only place that feels normal

Spillanelle · 21/02/2021 14:01

I’ve not seen anyone wiping things down at our park. My toddler was licking the slide today anyway so it would feel pretty futile.
The parents are generally pretty good at standing a few meters apart though, which I think is about all you can do. And sanitise your hands before and after.

Mincepiesallyearround · 21/02/2021 14:01

I just anti bac there hands before they eat a snack. Depends on the baby though, if they like to chew their fingers and stuff you might want to hand gel a bit more. Have fun!

Anothermother3 · 21/02/2021 14:05

Usually just antibacterial there hands after if I remember the gel and then wash hands as soon as we get in (small park 5 mins away) but wouldn’t judge you for wiping stuff.

Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 21/02/2021 14:13

I can’t really use antibacterial gel on him, he’s only 1.
But I do have some sensitive wet ones which are antibacterial.

OP posts:
OverTheRubicon · 21/02/2021 14:16

I've been using hand sanitiser before and after each trip, and imploring them to do less nose-picking and hugging of random kids Blush
Try not to stand too close to other parents, but that can be hard when some people inch closer and closer forward, however I'd think that chatting with another parent is much lower risk than 2 kids tearing about together.

Biggest tip is to head out earlier in the day or failing that, late afternoon, it's much quieter.

OverTheRubicon · 21/02/2021 14:17

aargh I meant 2 parents chatting is much higher* risk

beela · 21/02/2021 14:22

You could wipe things down if you wanted to, it wouldn't do any harm, but an anti-bacterial wipe isn't going to help against covid because it's a virus.

Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 21/02/2021 14:25

@beela

You could wipe things down if you wanted to, it wouldn't do any harm, but an anti-bacterial wipe isn't going to help against covid because it's a virus.
Oh so what could I use on 1 year old hands? Can’t really use antibacterial gel.
OP posts:
Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 21/02/2021 14:27

@beela

You could wipe things down if you wanted to, it wouldn't do any harm, but an anti-bacterial wipe isn't going to help against covid because it's a virus.
@beela

So what could I wipe the swings down with Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 21/02/2021 14:33

I’ve been using antibacterial hand wipes for months. I hate hand gel 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Camomila · 21/02/2021 14:37

I use normal baby wipes (like for nappies) Probably doesn't get rid of much virus but they get rid of mud/soil at least.
If the toilets are open you could go wash their hands at the sink when you leave?

Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 21/02/2021 14:38

@Camomila

I use normal baby wipes (like for nappies) Probably doesn't get rid of much virus but they get rid of mud/soil at least. If the toilets are open you could go wash their hands at the sink when you leave?
Our local park doesn’t have toilets, it’s only small. I guess I’ll use the antibacterial wipes. Has to be better than nothing?
OP posts:
HesterShaw1 · 21/02/2021 14:43

Outside transmission has been proved to be so minimal as to be negligible. Pretty sure the same has been found for surfaces. Yes wash your child's hands before s/he eats, but you'd do that anyway surely. Please don't go disinfecting swings!

Sevensilverrings · 21/02/2021 14:44

This is tricky. It’s essential for young children’s immune systems that they are exposed to ‘germs’ dirt etc. Sounds counter productive, but it’s true. I wonder what we are setting ourselves up for, or if the balance is fine and they still pick up enough? My kids are dirt monkeys, but the dirt is so much less about other people just now...less viruses and tummy bugs, more mud and worms.
I’ve never seen anyone wipe park equipment, for what it’s worth. Go and have some fun, meet some other mums. Your little one will love it.

ConkerBonkers · 21/02/2021 14:52

Just do what feels right for you. If you want to wipe everything down then go for it, noone will mind, and will understand your concerns, especially as your child is so little and bound to be putting their fingers in their mouth

PiratePetespajamas · 21/02/2021 14:52

I have taken water and liquid soap for baby’s hands. It’s not as much faff as it sounds and is more effective than a wipe - esp If they’re still in that phase of putting hands in mouth - and better anyway because we don’t really want our kids to built up resistance by overuse of antibac products. Nobody even bats an eye, though I’m the only person I’ve seen do that.

AubergineDream · 21/02/2021 15:02

The wipes are just antibacterial chemicals and alcohol in a wipe, whereas the gel is the same chemicals without the wipe. Difference is the wipes don't get into all the crevices and many don't have the right proportion of alcohol. So you would be better using an antibacterial gel (at 70% alcohol or above) than the wipes. Ultimately both will dry their hands out, neither are ideal compared to soap and water, but the wipes will not do the job properly whereas the gel might if used properly.

Really I don't trust anything but soap and water

AubergineDream · 21/02/2021 15:03

I have used the gel on my own young child with no adverse effects

AubergineDream · 21/02/2021 15:05

If you are going to use wipes, I would get the Clinell antibacterial and antimicrobial wipes for hands

VoyageInTheDark · 21/02/2021 15:11

I've never seen anyone wipe park equipment. I anti bac gel my DD's hands after we're finished or if she wants to eat or drink anything