Is there an age limit on taking babies to farms/petting places?

[WhiteGeisha]

I want to take LO to a Goat Farm but a few people have advised me against this due to the bacteria kids can pick up at such places and that they can be very harmful to babies if they get it on their hands etc.

LO is too young to be touching the goats, she would just look and go red in the face through excitement

Is it ok or should I not bother? Her dad is home in 4 weeks so thought it would be a nice day out for us.

I know my stepdad wouldn't let me go to lambing because of the reasons above.

Anyone know or have any advice?

 

[special_kala]

Its fine as long as you remember to wash their hands regularly

Dont trust goats though! Took River to one of those farms last month and we bottle fed one...the git bit me!

 

[pinklizzy]

I took Erin to an open farm/lambing day when she was 5 months. I was just careful about washing our hands and took an alcohol gel with me as well.

 

[Murphy98]

I don't think its a problem personally as long as you wash their hands after and keep them out of their mouth before that.

We took LO to pet some sheep over the weekend and had a great conversation with the farmer. He told us that in his experience children under 18 months old who are exposed to the animals seem far less likely to be afraid of animals later on - that was his thought on it anyway.

I was surprised how much our son engaged with it - I helped him pet the sheep and he giggled each time I reached his hand to the wool.

 

[WhiteGeisha]

I don't think its a problem personally as long as you wash their hands after and keep them out of their mouth before that.

We took LO to pet some sheep over the weekend and had a great conversation with the farmer. He told us that in his experience children under 18 months old who are exposed to the animals seem far less likely to be afraid of animals later on - that was his thought on it anyway.

I was surprised how much our son engaged with it - I helped him pet the sheep and he giggled each time each time I reached his hand to the wool.

Aww sounds lovely. Think I will take her and just be mindful and watch what she touches and where her hand go x

 

[Babushka99]

I went to Hackney City Farm with my l.o and it was so disgusting and stinky. They also had big signs about e.coli everywhere. On the plus side she did like looking at the animals even if they did look abused and unhappy. But that is a London farm so I'm sure other farms would be a lot nicer and she didn't get ill or anything.

 

[Cattia]

The farm near us has alcohol hand gel by every animal pen and they have special ultra violet light things that you put your hands under and it shows up if there is still any bacteria left.

 

[WhiteGeisha]

The farm near us has alcohol hand gel by every animal pen and they have special ultra violet light things that you put your hands under and it shows up if there is still any bacteria left.

This sounds good. I don't recall seeing anything like this at the Goat Farm when I last went but when I went it was 2 years before LO was even on the scene so I wasn't in 'mum thinking mode'.

Will take some gel and maybe a flask of warm water and soap to wash everyones hands before we get back in the car.

 

[lindseymw]

As long as you tame care & wash your hands then it's fine.

My friend lives on a farm that has cows, sheep, chickens etc & her little girl loved going around all the animals from being a baby.