Toddlers and dirt!

[georgee]

Hi all

I've been lurking and you seem like a nice sensible lot so I'm hoping you're going to tell me I'm a mad neurotic woman who needs to pull herself together.

I have a toddler, as no doubt many of you do, or have had while pregnant. Of course she's into everything, including digging around in mud, picking up dirty sticks and stones whenever we're outside, and try as I might to keep her hands out of muck, they always end up filthy. We wash them when she gets home and I wash mine constantly. But there's the muddy clothes, the shoes, the dirt wherever else I haven't noticed (eg on me when I've had to pick her up). I feel I'm fighting a losing battle over a tide of filth.

I know all this is perfectly natural with toddlers and a stage they go through. But when it comes to my pregnancy, is it something to worry about? Isn't it just what happens when you have a child and another one on the way? I find I'm in a constant state of tension when out, shrieking 'Don't touch that! Put that down! Come out of there!' etc for no other reason than that I'm petrified I'll catch something (eg toxo) from all this muck. I hate to spoil her fun but I'm scared.

What are others' attitude to this (hopefully a lot saner than mine)? Could I catch something (I know I could in theory but what are the odds really)? I'm 14 weeks btw.

Chill out! You won't catch anything

Thanks hilly. I know I'm being an idiot, I just needed confirmation .

I'm usually the one giving my dd the dirty stick to play with!

Anything to keep her occupied for ten minutes

Hehehe. ellesabe definitely the same here.

I wouldn't worry georgee, it's not as if you're getting covered in dirty sewer muck or anything like that, it's just a bit of dirt. Probably good for your immune system anyway

I have a rough and tumble 5 year old, who, only today was using his hands to catch newts in the pond at the park.

A ten month old who mouths anything.

2 cats, one who is a bit if a killer and brings. Lovely treasures home for us

A 5 month old puppy who is a typical pup-in puddles, digging, in ponds etc

And I'm 18 weeks pg with dc3

Your body will be immune to most everyday bugs etc and dirt strengthens the immune system.

The only thing you need to be especially wary of is cat poo.

Let your toddler venture

Oh yes the rising tide of filth. I have DS1 2.6 and DS2 4 months. I got a little angsty on occasion whilst PG and over DS2, but have given up really. Recently potty trained, and am fairly sure there are wee handprints all over my house.

Just make sure there is no cat poo around, and you'll be ok if you are regularly handwashing. I had 2 bouts of D&V when pg with ds2, having not had anything like that for about 10 years. Lousy, but doesn't harm the baby.

I always think its a good job toddlers are cute, as in so many ways they are completely foul.

Ah, I love you guys . Thank you for putting my mind at rest.

We don't have this prob as dd1 is a clean freak - she can't stand dirt anywhere! I think medical/scientific research has proved that kids that grow up with pets are less likely to develop allergies/ asthma than those who don't as they're exposed from an early age and become sort of immune. Same thing with dirt, if she never gets into anything she can't develop any tolerance to it and will end up suffering with more things as she gets older. Obviously make sure she doesn't eat it or put anything in her month in terms of plants etc but otherwise don't worry