Give Hands a Good Scrub

[LancesMom]

Thought I'd share:

Give Hands a Good Scrub
Hand washing tops the list of healthy habits children should learn for one simple reason: Doing it often — and doing it right — can reduce the number of colds, flu, and other infections children get by 50 percent! That’s a lot of sore throats, runny noses, and just-plain-ickiness a child can avoid simply by stepping up to the sink, especially at key times: before eating or heading to the playroom with a friend (this will keep germs on shared toys to a minimum), after coming in from playing outside, and after sneezing, coughing, petting an animal, or using the potty.

What’s more, even a baby can start to pick up on this all-important healthy habit — by watching as you wipe off her hands (do it frequently; according to some research, crawling babies handle and mouth the random stuff they find lying around more than 80 times per hour); and then, when she’s old enough to follow simple directions, by mastering these hand-washing how-tos:

1. Use warm water and soap.
2. Make lots and lots of suds; bubbles trap germs.
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds — about the time it takes to sing the ABC song or “Happy Birthday” twice through (at normal — not breakneck! — speed).
4. Rub fronts and backs of hands, and between every little finger: Friction is as important as soap and water for getting little mitts clean.
5. Rinse thoroughly, so that every single germ goes down the drain.
6. Dry hands on a clean towel.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/healthy-habits-for-children.aspx

[soccerchik8287]

Great tips! I didn't know that bubbles trap germs!

[sarah824]

Thanks for sharing! I didn't know about the bubbles trapping germs. 

[i.heart.myboys]

Thanks for sharing this. We knew this stuff. With my 15 month old being special needs I make sure that we do everything to keep colds away.

[NicholasMama608]

Great tips.  Thanks for sharing.

[countrymomma81]

I taught my daughter to sing her ABC's while washing her hands. It's the only way to get her to wash long enough. 

Good advice, thanks!

[KalesMommy912]

Tfs!

[soccerchik8287]

I was thinking about this post today, and my daughter LOVE the foam soap. Having "fun" soap is a great way to get kids more excited about scrubbing themselves down :)

[kaidansmylife]

Tfs

[ashleyfm]

 Thanks for sharing!! It is always great for us to review.

[lillucky8]

We use the happy birthday song at the hospital, wash your hands and since happy birthday to make sure you are doing it long enough