I like my germ exposure. It helps me stay healthy. I make a point NOT to buy anything with antibacterial additives.

I don't buy anything with antibacterial additives because it's mostly pointless to do so. Regular soap kills something like 99.7 percent of germs. Antibacterial soap kills 99.9 percent of germs. Big whoop.

Safeway stores in our area (same owner as Vons in SoCal) have begun placing wet-wipe dispensers outside the store entrances next to the cart lines. Considering the usual sticky cart handles, I appreciate the chance to wipe them off before putting my hands on them.

Shopping carts have been around for... What?... 60-70 years. It's amazing the Human race has not died-off from dirty handles since then. :rolleyes:

Whilst I have no scientific data to back this up, nor is this a scientific opinion, but I have to echo the sentiments of CP in that I feel as though building a healthy immune system from day one is the best way to go. I know that as a child, I did a LOT of things that most parents would cringe at (and that I cringe at thinking back on). Dirt was a common part of my diet; washing my hands was something I did once a month whether they needed it or not; etc.

And I have a pretty healthy immune system. I rarely get sick and when I do, I typically recover quickly. Now I concede that a lot of this may be due to genes (longevity runs in my family on the paternal side). But I still believe that kids shouldn't be protected from every possible germ they may face.

I agree as well, but salmonella and staph infections are things I'll gladly protect my kids from.

Yep. Also, a higher level of vigilance during flu season is always a good idea.

Well, just to throw a monkey wrench in your theory, I was a premmie, in a sterile envornment for nearly 4 months while the medicos figured out if I'd live or not. When I was finally released to go home, surgical masks were the norm around me for quite some time.

And, thoughout my childhood, while I do not recall eating dirt as part of my regular diet, I was in it and had all the usual diseases. Rarely ill now and if I am, like Kevy, I'm over it quickly.

Everyone draws the line differently. To my mind, it all about what would I consider a "normal" amount of germ interaction, whether it's an adult or a child.

I probably would be pretty vigilant about things like restaurant tables, either wiping them down or bringing a place mat for my kid, because the kid will be putting their food on there, and sticking their hands in their mouth more than normal because they're eating and an < 2 year old kid sticks their hand in their mouth to eat. With a shopping cart, I might go so far as to wipe the handle down, but otherwise, I don't really care if they're just generally touching it, though I'd try to make sure they weren't using it as a teething toy option.