My older sibling had quite a few visits to the pediatrician when she was little. One day, after yet another appointment for a common cold, the doctor, perhaps a bit exasperated, turned to my mom and said, “You need to let that baby get dirty.” I can picture my freshly bathed sister, looking pristine in her perfectly clean outfit, as if she’d never set foot outside her bubble.
My mom was utterly taken aback. She had longed for a baby, and now that she had one, she was determined to do everything by the book. Wasn’t keeping her baby safe from germs part of that? Bathing her daily? Ensuring that dirt never resided under her tiny fingernails? It turns out that, back in the late 1960s, the doctor knew a thing or two. Research, like that from WebMD, has shown that exposure to germs can actually be good for infants; babies who encounter these microbes are less prone to asthma and allergies later in life.
Though hesitant, my mom ultimately took the doctor’s advice because she desperately wanted to see my sister healthy. Slowly, she let my sister explore the floor and play in the dirt, and lo and behold, my sister’s endless cycle of sickness began to fade. By the time I came along, I was free to roll around outside with dogs, bugs, snakes, and frogs—pretty much living my best life covered in dirt.
The Importance of Embracing Messiness
Kids need to embrace the messiness of nature. Thom McDade, PhD, from Northwestern University, says the young immune system thrives on exposure to everyday germs, allowing it to learn and adapt. It’s as if our immune systems need a good challenge to remind them they can’t just retire early and leave us wheezing.
Humans have evolved alongside microbes and bacteria, and these tiny organisms are not just around us; they live within us too. Here’s a wild fact: our bodies host three to ten times more nonhuman cells than human cells, including viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Yes, you heard me right—fungi! Gross, right?
Given that our bodies are comprised of so many bacteria, it makes sense that we don’t have to be constantly purging all the germs around us. We also need to ditch the excessive use of antibacterial products. Studies indicate that antibacterial soaps offer no additional benefits over good old soap and water and may even contribute to the rise of superbugs—definitely not what we want.
Our kids should dive headfirst into the great outdoors, catch worms, splash in mud puddles, and smear who-knows-what on their faces when they think we’re not looking. We need to pull back on the hovering and fretting about them staying clean or ruining their clothes. They don’t require daily baths—just wholesome food, plenty of exercise, and, yes, dirt.
Maybe they even need to lick random objects and munch on their boogers, but let’s not dwell on that too much.
For more insights on family planning and options, check out this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination. And if you’re curious about at-home insemination kits, visit this site to learn more about a reliable option.
Conclusion
In summary, letting kids get dirty is not just okay; it’s essential for their immune development. So, let them play in the mud and embrace the natural messiness of childhood.