In the beginning Matt and I did our best to clean and sterilize bottles on a regular basis. We often washed the toys and pacifiers that Tanner and Abigail would play with and chew on during the day, but no matter how often we washed and sterilized everything they still picked up germs from visitors and each other.
During the thirteen months I was nursing I didn’t clean my breast each time they switched sides during a feeding and I’ve yet to meet a lactation consultant or pediatrician that will tell you to do that. To this day Tanner and Abigail take each others pacifiers and put them in their own mouths and there is little I can do to stop it from happening.
Just before The Twinkies started eating solid foods I asked our pediatrician if I should use separate bowls, spoons, and cups for each child. Dr. Russ told me that it wasn’t necessary because they already share “family germs” on toys, pacifiers, and other items around the house. If one gets a cold the other will likely get it too since they share everything.
Since that day Tanner and Abigail have shared EVERYTHING! I make one dish of food and I use one spoon or fork to feed them both. They drink from the same sippy cup and I have caught them feeding each other food that was prevously in their own mouth. Dr. Russ’s “family germs” theory has cut down on the amount of baby dishes I have to do, even though I still do them at least every other day. In the beginning each child had their own bottle of ibuprofen and medicine dropper, labeled T and A. Now we use one bottle and one dropper for ibuprofen and their daily fluoride drops.
Since The Twinkies began the "sharing phase" of their lives they have each had three minor colds and one BIG bout with ear infections and fevers (February 2011). For the most part they are pretty healthy and I hope they stay that way...although I am sure they won't.
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