Dogs are the best friends, no matter what and forever!

I'm sorry, but what a fecking pair of dipsh1t parents! While I love dogs (all animals for that matter), I still value my kid's health more. A child that old hasn't had time for his immune system to mature, and these twats are letting their dog (who probably just got finished playing tongue-twister with his arsehole, and has a mouth full full of yummy bacteria) lick their infant right on the frigging lips! Are these idiots for real?? Introducing a child to your pets is a good thing, but these people are too stupid to be parents.

#2 there actually is research beeing done at the University of Arizona with the working hypothesis, that dogs germs are probiotic and beneficial for human health. I would do it the same way as these parents to make sure the new arrival is a positive experience and a social bond is formed before jealousy issues arise.

The fact is that breast fed babies (I know most of you are guys in here, but you understand the concept) get a huge amount of antibodies directly from their mother's milk and protects them for months while their own immune system has time to build it's own defense.

#3 http://www.snopes.com/critters/wild/dogmouth.asp
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=1213870

Until the verdict comes out from the University of Arizona (and having both a degree in Biochem and a Nursing diploma myself, my doubts are somewhat high on that hypothesis), I'll just stick to the head scratches/belly rubs.

#5 Yeah, i admit the hypothesis sounds a bit sketchy. But its basis is the observed improved health of dog owners and their families of which many engage in unsanitary activities with their pooches. So, at least it doesn't seem to be a big health hazard. Your 2nd link supports this notion btw

#2 in my country they say: ( when someone is healing quickly ) his wounds are healing like wolf has been licking them

it's also beneficial for a baby and child to be introduced to germs early in life ( common sense is as always required ), there are many studies showing that kids who grow up in "sterile" environment ( overly protective parents disinfecting every child step ) are ending up with weak immune system and all sorts of health problems later in life ( in comparison to kids who had normal childhood )

This is a difficult one. I spend an awful lot of time in the company of dogs and I really do appreciate the necessity of creating an early bond with the dog and the new baby but! I also have some knowledge in the field of the autoimmune system. I don't think it is a good idea to have the dog licking the babies mouth, I don't let dogs lick anywhere near my own and I must be full of antibodies. The first few weeks of the babies life is difficult enough without adding the risk of lung worm, heart worm and the rest. I would be interested to hear the personal opinion of any medics on here with their own children? On a lighter note which is the note I prefer to play on my Bassoon, I hope the dog remembers this moment as the moment when his life changes forever, shorter walks being told to be quiet more often and being shut in the kitchen when relatives come to visit his replacement as top dog of interest

I'll make it simple #2.
How many instances of babies dying or getting gravely ill from dog germs can you recall or have heard of?

Search it out and you're hard pressed to find anything.

god or not for the kid, you must appreciate the overwhelming kindness of that dog.

#5, same profession here ....what kind of work do you do?
I agree with #5 through #11...again common sense is the key, let your children play outside a lot, let them eat dirt, but teach them to wash their hans before meals and coming home from public areas, and don't take small children to the area of a hospital that has a lot of "super bugs".

#12 Quick summary; Tried for 2 years to get into Optometry but didn't have the grades (looking back - too much partying ), girlfriend at the time was in Biochem and taking all the same courses so I figured that I should finish with something decent, came from a medical family and was working p/t in an Emerg anyway so went into Nursing with friends/coworkers, after few years Nursing field went down the tubes (government cutbacks) and I switched fields. Accountant for 12 years now, but I still follow science due to friends/family/interest (that's why I'd be interested to see the results from #3, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one )
I'm in no way a germaphobe. On the contrary, I know that kids who grow up in rural areas tend to be the healthiest. I used to let my son romp around in the dirt and muck as he pleased when he was small so that he could build up his immune system, and he was almost never ill (when he was, it never lasted long, nor was it serious). Some people I knew were the complete opposite, and were so sterile that their kids were almost always sick.
I have more to say, but the comment I was writing was too long. I have to wait because I can only update my comment

#13 What did they teach you about anecdotal evidence?
please continue...

As far as dogs go, we never had one while my son was growing up. We had 2 cats, but we would never let them lick my son on the lips (nor let their snout go anywhere near ours or his lips). We also made sure to keep the air clean and dust-free in the house because of the cat litter. There are diseases that come from cat feces (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis) that can even come from other animal feces, although to a much lesser degree.
#6 I would think that the reason for improved health of dog owners more because of:
1) The need to take the dog for daily walks forces the owner to get outside for sunshine and exercise; sunshine providing Vitamin D for depression (depression lowers the immune system), and exercise also improves the immune system.
2) The companionship from the dog provides joy/happiness/sense of well-being to the owner which also improves the immune system.
I have a feeling that the studies won't find any direct correlation to the actual bacteria.
#9 http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/animals.html
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/swbmp/Pet-Waste-Management.cfm
Should I post more, or do I need to find a specific case for you?
For those that think the dog kissing on the lips is simply cute, I have to ask this hypothetical question: Suppose instead the parents brought the baby home to find that dog had laid a fresh, big steamer on the carpet, and instead of Chesty running up and giving Ben a slobbery kiss, Daddy leans over and scoops up a finger-full of luscious chocolata-goodness, and smears it on little Benny's lips like he was putting on lip balm on an icy winter's day. Would it be cute then, or would you be staring at the screen in disbelief? Things that are funny in movies aren't always the same in real life

I wish i hadn't enabled you to continue. Those pictures are hard to get out of the head now.
You're probably right doubting a causal link between bacteria and health in dog owners. I simply stated that this research is going on to make the point that intimate contact with dogs (that sounds a bit wrong...) doesn't seem to have severe adverse health effects.

#16 Sorry about leaving the images, but I just meant to get my point across; that it's pretty much the same thing as when Chesty does his "soul-searching", and then gives you a slurp immediately after.
There have been some studies as to allergies and dog (pet) owners: http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/09/study-why-dogs-and-cats-make-babies-healthier/
but I have yet to find any real case studies regarding why the pet dander and dust helps. This may just be a case of low priority in universities/research funding or researchers completely overlooking it.
The CDC and EPA posts clearly indicate though, that the fecal matter IS an issue, and there are plenty of sites with credible references that support what I'm saying. I'm not going to sit here and post them all; I think I've posted enough.

#17 I for one am really glad you are not as it's getting rather Laborious.

I was so afraid that Chesty was going to see little Ben as a giant Scooby Snack surprise treat.

#13, thanks for the interesting info on your nursing career, was wondering what made you want to go into optometry, even though I am sure it's a fascinating area, you just don't hear too many RNs wanting to go there..your ER experience is probably pretty extensive because nowhere do you see the garden variety of medical problems as in an ER. I admire ER nurses, you have to be very flexible. We get them after the ER stabilized them. Nowadays I think the best place to go after graduation and 2 years of clinical experience is into a nurse anesthetist program, I would if I would be younger, super interesting and very good pay...interesting info, always like CDC and EPA info, it's evidence based and factual..the images are not bad at all, but I guess we are desensitized to a point...there is not much that fazes me...I too think hand washing is the most important component of hygiene...I did read the study where children growing up rural around farm animals are healthier than their counterparts...all in all interesting stuff..Thx

what are you guys saying???? It's just another family member, man... relax!

You're welcome thundersnow! Optometrist in the family and what she was showing me interested me a lot at the time. I was pre-optom before RN, and you're right about anesthetics.
Joeman - I completely agree that they're another family member. I'm merely pointing out facts rather than basing my actions and opinions solely on emotions - as I see the people down-voting me for providing factual info (even when requested) are doing . Having a debate with people like that is like a broken pencil - pointless.

That's cool #22..well I'm glad to hear you are still nurturing your passion for science/nursing even though you are now working in a totally different field. Even though sometimes I dream about working in a different field, deep down I know I would probably be unhappy and really can't imagine doing anything else but nursing...really don't have any other skill anyways, lol..Don't fret about being down voted (kinda funny coming from me, I know), it happens...I up voted you