New Reason to Get a Dog: Baby May Get Sick Less
Photo: The BumpDo you tote antibacterial wipes in your diaper bag? A new study may convince you to swap out the sanitizer for a house pet.
In the Finnish study, published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers studied nearly 400 babies from birth throughout their first year. They focused on the respiratory health of the infants in relation to their contact with cats and dogs. Turns out, Fido can offer health benefits.
Not only did the babies who live with dogs have fewer instances of respiratory tract symptoms and infections than babies without pets did, but they also needed fewer courses of antibiotics and experienced less ear infections and runny noses. Cats weren’t proven to significantly affect the babies’ health.
“These results suggest that dog contacts may have a protective effect on respiratory tract infections during the first year of life,” wrote researcher Eija Bergroth of Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, in the study’s conclusion.
It’s not the pets themselves that help baby’s health — it’s the dirt and grime they track around the house (yup, a little messiness is good for your kid!). Researchers suggest that children exposed to germs develop stronger immune systems, making them better equipped to defend against bacteria and respiratory infections.
Do you have a dog or cat? Do you think it’s beneficial to your baby to have a pet?
Plus, more from The Bump:
Should You Get Your Kid a Pet?
Charlize Theron’s Parenting Trick? Her Dogs!
The Knot Blog
The Nest Blog
hmmmm not sure how I feel about that one, between my parents house and my house where my little one is always at, he is around 6 dogs and if it was supposed to help him not be sick … he was ill with respiratory infections 3 times before he was 9 weeks old. And I have NO vacation/sick leave left at work due to how many times he has been sick since birth. It’s been at least once a month. UGH. Maybe we need another dog. HAHAHA!
I believe that can be the case, we have three dogs and my mother in law has 4 dogs and our little one (who is almost 6 months) has never had a runny nose, respiratory infection or ear infection. I’m not sure if its because of the dogs or that fact that I’m breastfeeding or both but either way I do agree that its important for babies and kids to be exposed to dogs at an early age.
I have 2 dogs in my family, I really think they helped my 10 year old to be healthy and not get as sick. She only had one ear infection at 6 months and thank God is a healthy child. I hope my next child on the way benefits from this as well.
I have 3 dogs that my son has been around since birth, and i also breastfed. He has had a few strep throat cases, but hes not sick very often. Its very gross watching him try to french the dog, i try to stop him, but he ends up doing it anyways, but still,he seems to be no worse for the wear.
My son was born 3 months prematurely. He spent 3 months in the hospital before he came home. We have a dog, my baby has been raised on formula (I wasn’t able to breast feed due to poor milk production due to delivering so prematurely), and has been going to daycare since he was 6 months old chronologically (adjusted-age 3 months based on due-date). My baby’s now 10 months old chronologically (adjusted-age 7 months) and respiratory wise he is doing great! Ever since he’s been home from the hospital, he’s only had 2 colds & has NOT needed to use any antibiotics. In contrast, my nephew (who was born full-term a month before my son AND has been raised on breastmilk) has had more respiratory infections and has already been on several courses of antibiotics. The main difference is that my nephew doesn’t have a dog.