Is hand washing really necessary for children?
I’m quietly peeling my banana, minding my own business, when my 2-year-old daughter walks up to me. She opens up her palms and looks eagerly into my eyes.
She doesn’t open her mouth for a small bite. She wants a big slice of the action, to hold and manage as she pleases.
I ignore her. I don’t want to share. She persistently holds up her hands and refuses to open her mouth.
Defeated, I drop my banana, pick her up, take her to the sink, lather up her dirty fingers generously with soap, and wash it through two slow 2-minute hummed recital of the “happy birthday” song.
Satisfied, I wipe her hands dry with a clean towel. Now, she can have her own slice. I cut a small size of the banana, carefully placed it inside her palm, and continued my work on the rest.
She takes the banana up to her mouth but it slips out of her chubby fingers onto the dirty kitchen floor. The girl bends down, tries to pick it up, but the slippery fruit slides right back onto the floor, twice.
Frustrated, she pinches the banana, swipes it across the floor, lodges it against the cabinet and she’s able to pick it.
She quickly shoves the banana into her mouth and gobbles it before I could stop her or shout “germs!”
I’m left standing with mouth agape, staring in horror, at the wet, cleanly swept arc left on the dirty wooden floor, wondering if all that hand washing was really worth it? 😪
It often gets frustrating teaching toddlers about proper hygiene and keeping their hands clean. But for now, especially in this COVID pandemic era, the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ) recommends strict hand washing during these key times:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before and after eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage.
Andrew Faniku MD
Andrew is a committed family man and pediatrician who is focused on improving your baby’s comfort. In his spare time, he creates acrylic paintings and writes short stories. He is also learning to use social media. Please connect with him:
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