Pets, Your Baby's Immunity & What the Research Really Shows
If you’ve ever found your fur baby sniffing inquisitively around your newborn, you’ve probably wondered…
is this actually good for them, or is it unhygienic?
It’s something many parents worry about... dogs licking toys, walking over the play mat, cats brushing past blankets and general day to day mess that comes with having animals in the home.
But what does the research actually say?
The answer, backed by growing research, may surprise you. Did you know that early exposure to pets can support your newborn’s immune system?
Several large studies have found that babies exposed to pets in their first year of life may develop a stronger, more balanced immune system.
Research published in journals such as JAMA Pediatrics and Clinical & Experimental Allergy has shown:
Babies living with dogs had lower rates of respiratory infections in early life
Exposure to pets was linked to a reduced risk of allergies and asthma
A more diverse home environment supports the development of the gut microbiome
Your baby’s immune system is being trained early on. A gut rich in a diverse range of microbes from the family household can positively influence health in both the short and long term.
Finding the right balance
Keeping a newborn in a completely sterile environment isn’t necessarily the best approach. That said, this isn’t about throwing caution out the window. You should still absolutely, sterilise feeding equipment where needed, maintain good hygiene and avoid obvious exposure to illness
I’m certainly not suggesting letting your dog lick your baby’s face, or your toddler share their latest cold.
But a baby growing up in a normal, lived in family environment, including pets, appears, from the research, to gain meaningful health benefits.
This month’s takeaway
It’s not about creating a perfectly clean environment. It’s about creating a balanced one. And sometimes, the everyday realities of family life are exactly what your baby’s body needs for the building blocks for their long term health.
