Do kids need to be sick to be healthy?

TOP OF MIND

Is the hygiene hypothesis true?
In the late '80s, video rental stores were thriving, slap bracelets were all the rage, and a few scientists in Germany changed how we all think about germs. They published a study showing that children from smaller families had a higher likelihood of developing hay fever.

They speculated that children with fewer siblings may be at a higher risk of allergic disease because they catch fewer childhood infections.

This led to the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that overly clean environments can be problematic and that children need to be exposed to germs to build up their immune system.

But is there any truth to this?

The important bits
All experts agree that kids need exposure to germs to build up their immune system, but not all agree on which germs are needed. You see, followers of the hygiene hypothesis believe kids need pathogenic (disease-causing) germs to build a healthy immune system. Basically, they believe the more colds your kid has, the stronger their defense will be.

But that's not what the new data suggests.

The new data says kids need "good" bacteria to support a healthy microbiome, and this good bacteria comes from the great outdoors, and even pets! Early childhood exposure to microbe-rich environments like farms and pets is associated with a reduced risk of allergic problems.

Other ways to introduce the good bacteria? Eat fermented foods, fresh fruit and veggies from a local garden. Use sponges to wash dishes and force your kids to play outside more. Have them climb a tree or something!

But what about building immunity? We know that diseases like chickenpox can be more severe in adulthood if you fail to get them in childhood. And there is some truth to this line of thinking. Immunity is a great thing, but this does not mean you should seek out infections.

What's it all mean?
Some germs are good. Some germs are bad. We want the good germs. Please continue washing your hands.

And if you feel like your kid is getting sick too often, here are some extra steps you can take.

DID YOU HEAR

💸 Stay-at-home parents are severely underpaid
You hear people say things like, "Managing a household is a full-time job!" and yet stay-at-home parents earn nothing for their hard work! A new study by Beike Biotechnology suggests stay-at-home parents should be earning between $4,000 and $5,200 per month. Find out how they landed on that number here.

🍩 Can sugar really make your kid hyper?
Most parents believe sugar causes bouts of hyperactivity in kids, but experts say there's no truth to it. There have been lots of studies, and there's no legit connection between sugar and hyperactivity. So why do parents still believe this? Well, it's probably because sugar is often associated with exciting events, like birthday parties or holidays. It's not the sugar making your kid crazy, it's the festivities!

👀 What are your blind spots as a parent?
There was a popular thread on Reddit asking parents, "What blind spot(s) do you think we parents have these days?" and there were a lot of answers. The top five responses were...

1. Lack of independent play

2. Overscheduling

3. Too much handholding

4. Relying too much on parenting gurus

5. Mental health overload

Click here to find out how you can avoid succumbing to these. 

🐾 What's so special about Bluey?
You've probably heard a lot about Bluey recently, and if you have young kids, you likely already understand the brilliance of the show. But if your kids are old, or still too young, you might be wondering, "What's the fuss all about?" This article does a wonderful job of explaining the show's greatness.

👩‍🎤 This mom brought her toddler to Coachella (twice!)
Here's how it went.

A DOSE OF GOOD

@fitdadceo

It amazes me how confident kids can be about not liking a meal that's NEVER BEEN SERVED TO THEM BEFORE IN THEIR LIVES! #parenting #beforek... See more

BITES WITH KIYAH

As a nutrition scientist, I look to nutrition research to help me understand where there is solid evidence for a cause and effect relationship between the foods I eat and my health. One of the places this evidence is clear is about dietary diversity: People whose diets consist of a wide variety of foods tend to have better health outcomes. 

But how do you actually encourage your family to have a diverse diet? It doesn’t have to be overly complicated or require drastic changes to your routines. Check out this free PDF with five strategies for eating a variety of foods, which you can start using immediately!

Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on Instagram.

BEST-REVIEWED PARENTING PRODUCTS UNDER $20

Looking for some products under $20 that could potentially change your parenting life? We have some recommendations.

All the products listed below have over 5,000 five-star reviews...

This Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer will speed up your pancake/waffle game dramatically. All you have to do is throw the wet and dry ingredients in the bottle, shake, and pour!

Stained clothing? You need Grandma's Secret Spot Remover it's a toxin-free fabric stain remover that can remove oil, blood, paint and much more. Some people swear by this stuff, and for just $14, it's probably worth a try.

These nearly unnoticeable corner guards will protect your kid from bumping their head on the coffee table. Not exactly a fun purchase, but definitely a necessary one. 

This super neat sight word Bingo game makes building your kid's vocabulary fun and easy. It has over 13,000 5-star reviews. It's one of the best reviewed products on Amazon.

PARENTING WIN/FAIL

This week, loyal reader Whitney E. shares how she's secretly celebrating her daughter's heartbreak...

Your secret is safe with us, Whitney!

Do you have a parenting win/fail you'd like to share? Submit one using the button below to have it featured in a future edition!

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked you who your favorite TV mom was, and 40% of you said Clair Huxtable, while Carol Brady and Sophia Petrillo came in a close second and third!

RECALLS

GROUND BEEF

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service sent out an important public health alert this past weekend.

Ground beef products produced in March and shipped to retailers nationwide may be contaminated with E.coli.

There's no official recall for these items because they're no longer available for purchase, but some people might still have them in their fridge or freezer. Officials are urging folks to throw out any products that match the dates listed above.

Click here for a full list of impacted products.

Also Tesla Cybertrucks... 🤦