J cannot be near a puddle without jumping in it and cannot see mud without wanting to squelch it.
Consequently, he is very often dirty, soggy and happily rolling around outside.
There are various theories about why there has been a rise in food allergies and asthma in recent years and one of these is the hygiene hypothesis. It suggests that young children are not exposed to enough microbes to stenghten their immune systems.
Now, I do think there is some sense to this theory. There are studies of children in developing countries that show as soon as their quality of lives improve and they move to more sanitary living, their incidence of food allergies increases.
However, I think it is often misquoted to suggest parents are inflicting allergies on their children by keeping them coddled in cotton wool.
J’s allergies are genetic and were present from birth. With baby A, I was telling doctors her symptoms were from a milk allergy from the day she was born. Sadly, whether we let them play in the mud or not isn’t going to change this and I think too much emphasis is put on the hygeine hypothesis.
So go little J, dive into the dirt and enjoy. Not because it will stop you being allergic to nuts but because you love it!
Oh what fun! I remember doing this. as a kid. I think supervised messy play is a great idea for any tot. Angela
It does make sense because like your immune system if you are not exposed to certain illnesses when you are younger it can get worse as you get older.
I agree, it’s important to get a balance, getting grubby, squelching in mud and not trying to keep everything too antiseptic. I know most toddlers adore it, so the fact it hopefully helps protect many of them is a bonus.
Ah this is so lovely. Kids just love dirt and water whatever else is going on with them. Such cute pictures x
This is cute and so true, you should definitely let him jump in the mud! He looks adorable doing so too. xx
Oh Pickle loves puddles of all descriptions! He is lactose intolerant – nothing to do with muddy puddles!! Kaz x
Little L is obsessed with mud and puddles. I agree with you, I do think sometimes we are perceived as wrapping our kids in cotton wool and just letting kids be kids isn’t going to stop things that are actually genetic.
Monkey’s allergies are the same and I am wondering if our second will also have them. However we try to limit the use of anti bac products in the house, don’t get me wrong its clean just not sterile! He hardly gets ill (touch wood) and he plays outside in the dirt every day at nursery comes home covered but I wouldn’t have it any other way. xx
It’s impossible to know if there’s anything we can do to prevent them, so I just crossed my fingers your second skips them x
What wise words, everyone should read this! It is never going to make a difference to a real allergy, but I must say I think my kids are pretty hardly and I believe growing up on the farm and being allowed to get muddy and play freely without worrying about jumping in lakes, rivers and mud beyond concerns for their safely has helped in so many ways. Awesome photos to prove your point too! Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
I love your post. And I totally agree about the hygiene hypothesis. We all need to get our kids to be a little dirt up at times – as long as they enjoy it of-course. Little J is so cute playing the messy mud! 🙂 x
I agree. Molly was born covered in eczema – nothing was going to change that.
Yes, I think when it genetic there is really nothing that changes that.