The most recent case affects a new mom of twins. No one knows exactly how she contracted the disease but it is most commonly spread through open wounds or cuts – from bacteria which often lives on our bodies such as: Staphyloccus Aureus, Streptoccus Pyogenes and Aeromonas Hydrophila.

For more information about the SC case, please see the article at USA Today.

Women can be vulnerable to infection immediately after having a baby. The stress of childbirth can bring on infections of the endometrium (otherwise know as endometritis), breast or urinary tract. Childbirth wounds and incisions can also pose added risk.

One in 20 nursing moms suffer from mastitis which is a breast infection caused by cracked nipples. It can also affect non-nursing moms if their milk ducts become engorged.

Other infections can occur at the incision site of a c-section delivery or from an episiotomy in a vaginal birth. Urinary tract infections are possible if you had a catheter inserted during the birthing process.

Once you’ve brought your baby safely into the world, be sure to maintain your own health and well-being. Follow doctors’ postpartum advice and remember to nurture yourself while nurturing your own little bundle or bundles of joy.

Want it for free? Bye Bye Bacteria Corp. is a proud sponsor of the Magical Mother’s Day Giveaway Hop, taking place between May 7th and May 14th, 2012. Enter to win our convenient Fold-N-Go Changing Pad, large enough to cover the ENTIRE changing table in a public restroom – and antimicrobial to prevent germs from coming home with you in your diaper bag. Many thanks to Angie at Luv Saving Money for helping to promote our prize!

As a manufacturer of antimicrobial baby products, we are frequently asked if there is a difference between antibacterial and antimicrobial. Antibacterial is certainly a more familiar term than antimicrobial, but what do these labels really mean? Hope this information helps!

Antimicrobial
An antimicrobial, or antimicrobial agent is a product that fights microbial infections by killing or preventing the growth and replication of disease-causing microorganisms.

In simpler terms, an antimicrobial readily eliminates microscopic organisms such as: bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses, some algae, and some worms.

Antibacterial
An antibacterial, or antibacterial agent works very much the same, except that it only eliminates bacteria, having no effect on protozoa, fungi, viruses, some algae, or worms.

For more information, vist the Bye Bye Bacteria FAQ page

Ingestion of germs occurs when contaminated food or beverages are eaten or imbibed.

Breastfeeding: Make sure to eat healthily if you are breastfeeding. Eating foods like vegetables, fruits and lean meats will boost your baby’s immunity via the antibodies passed along in your milk.

Unfinished Food: Be safe when dealing with unfinished formula, or jars of food – and always use newly-washed silverware for feedings.

A baby’s saliva backwashed into a bottle, or spittle left behind on uneaten food can promote bacterial contamination. If you wish to divide a portion for later use, do so before the feeding instead of after.

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Thanks for reading, and best wishes to you and your family!

Bye Bye Bacteria Corp.

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Airborne contact occurs when germs are breathed in from the air. The air inside your house is likely much more polluted than the air outside.

We’ve all heard or used the expression, “stale air.” Indoors, the volume of air is limited and anytime you or your family talks, laughs, coughs, sneezes or flushes a toilet, new germs are expelled and subsequently trapped in the enclosed environment of your house.

Fresh Air: The best defense against airborne germs is fresh air and sunlight. By opening your home to fresh air you allow airborne germs to circulate, and eventually disperse, into the fresh new air.

By letting sunlight into your home you are tapping into earth’s natural disinfectant – the sun. High-intensity UV light, such as sunlight, kills many germs upon contact.

Vaccinations: There are vaccinations that help protect your baby from germs that are in the air. Be sure to keep up with your baby’s vaccination schedule as per your doctor.

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Indirect-Contact occurs by touching an item or surface (carpeting, doorknobs, dirty dishes, etc.) that is infected with germs. These tips will help reduce your baby’s indirect-contact with germs.

Shoes: Leave your shoes at the door. On any typical sidewalk you’ll find traces of urine and feces from various animals, residue from insecticides & cleaning products, food waste, saliva, sweat, and the decaying remains of various fauna.

Add to this microbial stew the germs you stepped on at the public restroom, or on the sewer grate, and you have a veritable army of germs eager to infect your floors, your carpet and eventually your baby.

Keep a pair of “indoor-only shoes” to change into when you get home. Ask guests to remove their shoes, keeping them in a designated area out of reach from your baby.

Anti-microbial wipes: These are very effective in removing germs from household objects such as toys, drawer or cabinet handles, phones, toilet handles and doorknobs.

Avoid disinfectant sprays. They may irritate your baby’s nose and throat. If you use a chemical disinfectant on an object your baby will later touch, be sure to rinse it with water after disinfecting.

Be extra vigilant in your wiping if you or a family member is ill or contagious.

Sterilize Bottles & Pacifiers: When purchasing new bottles, nipples or pacifiers, buy more than one, and choosemodels that are dishwasher safe. Before using a new bottle, nipple, or pacifier, boil it for five minutes.

Before each use, wash bottles and pacifiers in the dishwasher or use hot, soapy water with a cold rinse. If anything your baby would put in their mouth falls and touches the floor do not give it back to your baby without a new wash. Unfortunately when it comes to germs, the “five second rule” is simply untrue.

Textiles: Germs love to hide out on your fabrics, many of which – such as drapes, often go overlooked when it comes to cleaning time.

Lessen your cleaning time by getting rid of any heavy curtains or drapes and opting for hard wood floors instead of carpeting if possible. Area rugs are much easier to keep clean.

Wash your clothing, towels, tablecloths, curtains and any other common household textiles frequently. Always use  hot, soapy water (or with a disinfectant, like bleach) to prevent germ buildup.

Wash your baby’s laundry separately from the rest of your family. Without a disinfectant like bleach, soiled adult clothes such as underwear can transfer germs to your baby’s garments.

Once a week, after frequent use or after washing clothing from an ill family member, run a full cycle while the washer is empty. Use the hottest water setting and use bleach to disinfect the inside of the washer.

If there is a newborn in your home, be sure to check out our own Antibacterial Baby Products to see how they can help protect your baby from common infections.

Furniture: For disinfecting upholstered furniture, use a solution of tea-tree oil (a natural disinfectant) and water. Add 1 quart of water to a spray bottle, then add about 20 drops of tea tree oil.

Apply solution to a small and hidden area first, to ensure that the mixture will not damage your upholstery. If there is no adverse effect on the fabric the next day, you can safely spray the entirety of the furniture. Allow it to air dry by opening the windows.

Disinfect upholstered furniture at least once per month, more frequently if a family member is sick.

Food: Thoroughly wash counters, utensils, sinks and any others surfaces with soap and hot water after preparing meals to remove any microbes left behind from contaminated food – especially uncooked poultry.

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Direct-contact is by far the most common way to spread germs. Direct-contact requires some form of touch – such as brushing the hand of someone who is sick.

Hand-Washing: The most important and effective way to avoid direct-contact germs is regular hand washing. Make it a rule that anyone who handles your baby, yourself included, must wash their hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and warm water before doing so.

Since they can’t do it for themselves, be sure to regularly wash your baby’s hands as well, to remove any germs they picked up throughout the day. Be extra diligent after feedings, and after diaper changes.

Anti-Microbial Wipes: If you are away from running water for an extended period of time, carry disinfecting wipes with you to sterilize your hands before handling your baby. Wipes are better than liquid hand-sanitizers. Wiping with fabric helps scrub any remaining dirt from your hands, in addition to disinfecting germs.

Pets: Direct-contact is not limited to people. Germs are also transported by pets and other animals. These germs can be transferred to humans through direct-contact via petting, licking, scratching or bites.

If you have a pet in your family, check your records to ensure that their shots are up to date. Keep your newborn distanced from the pet for at least 6 weeks, by which time a baby’s immune system is stronger.

Discourage dogs and other pets from licking the baby. Keep litter boxes clean and out of reach. If you have an exotic pet, be sure to inquire with your doctor about any health risks to your baby. Turtles, for example, can carry the Salmonella bacteria.

Stranger Danger: Babies – particularly newborn babies, are extremely vulnerable to illnesses brought about by dangerous microbes. For this reason many experts recommend that for the first 6 weeks (while their immune system develops) you limit your baby’s interactions with new people.

When you have a newborn they can quickly become the center of attention. Everyone wants to hold, kiss or play with them. It is in your baby’s best interest, however, to limit the number of people engaging in direct-contact.

Ask potential visitors to delay their visits for 6 weeks, by which point your baby’s immune system is less frail. If this feels rude you may be more comfortable telling your friends that this advice came from your doctor.

When new people will handle your infant, ask that they not touch or kiss your baby’s face. Their face is the area most vulnerable to germs since a baby is most easily infected through their mouth, nose and eyes.

Siblings and Other Children: School aged children can carry some serious germs home from school and it is important to your newborn that you keep these germs away.

Prior to engaging in direct-contact with your newborn, first ensure that the school aged child has bathed and changed from their school clothes, and then washed their hands again.

When bathing is not practical, be extra vigilant in ensuring that the child has thoroughly washed their hands.

Coughs and Sneezes: Encourage siblings and visiting children to cough and sneeze into the fold of their elbow as this blockage helps reduce airborne germs. It’s an easy and fun trick for kids to remember, and is the preferred method in many public schools.

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Armed with this antimicrobial information you’ll minimize the exposure of your baby to household germs that can cause serious illness.

How Germs are Spread:

There are four ways that germs are spread from one place, or one person to another:

• Direct-Contact
• Indirect-Contact
• Airborne Contact
• Ingestion

Continue reading to learn how to protect your baby from each of these germ transfer methods.

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While it can be difficult to resist the urge to regularly change your baby when they wake in the night, experts say you should let them continue sleeping whenever possible. The interaction will needlessly stimulate your infant, which combined with bedroom lights and being wiped with cold, wet towels can rouse your baby enough to make getting back to sleep difficult.

Instead, invest in quality nighttime diapers and change your baby only if their diaper is soiled. If you must wake your baby for a nighttime diaper change do not turn on unnecessary lights, don’t talk, and use a warm washcloth for wipes.

Hope this helps!  Bye Bye Bacteria welcomes your input – please let us know what you think of this article.
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To Recap:

01. Start a routine leading up to bedtime.
02. Establish a set bedtime and wake time to set your baby’s daily clock.
03. Encourage your child to fall asleep independently.
04. Teach your baby the difference between day and night.
05. Use “White Noise” and other soothing sounds.
06. Regulate the temperature in your baby’s room.
07. Use simple, soft, washable crib bedding.
08. Stop your caffeine intake (if you are breastfeeding).
09. Cut your tie to the baby monitor.
10. Relax the rules on changing diaper at night.

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A baby monitor is an important tool for every parent, but when using one, avoid obsessing over normal nighttime noises. Everyone – babies and adults alike stirs and wakes briefly in the night. As adults we may not even remember because we’ve learned (from experience) to put ourselves back to sleep.

It is critical to your baby’s development for them to learn to get back to sleep on their own. By attending to your child each time they make a sound, you actually encourage them to wake more often. Instead of rushing into the room for every nighttime sound, wait a few minutes to allow them a chance to fall back asleep on their own.

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