Published on Jan. 29, 2018
Before we dive in, it helps to understand what’s already on your hands.
While it may sound unsettling, your hands naturally carry a mix of microorganisms.
Dr. Ketan Shah, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, explains:
“Transient flora are acquired from contaminated surfaces or people, are more amenable to removal by hand hygiene, and can be associated with infections. These include staph aureus, E. coli and other gram-negative bacilli, viruses, and yeast. Millions of bacteria normally live on our hands, and the number of bacteria doubles after using the restroom,” Shah explains.
Resident vs. Transient Flora
- Resident flora
- Naturally live on your skin
- Help protect against harmful organisms
- Transient flora
- Picked up from surfaces or people
- More likely to cause infections
- Easier to remove with proper hand hygiene
This includes bacteria picked up during diaper changes—especially if hands aren’t washed afterward.
How Germs Spread in Your Home
Germs don’t stay in one place for long.
Dr. Anjali Vora, an infectious disease physician and the medical director of infection control at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, explains how easily bacteria can travel:
“Bacteria and viruses from our hands can easily spread to environmental surfaces in our home and stay present for hours in some cases, and lead to potentially serious infections in others,” according to Dr. Anjali Vora.
Why This Matters for Babies
Babies and young children are especially vulnerable because they:
- Frequently put hands and objects in their mouths
- Have developing immune systems
- Touch multiple surfaces throughout the day
Shah adds:
“80 percent of transmissible infections are spread by touch, including touching others, but even touching one's own mouth, eyes, and nose. Most bacteria, viruses, and parasites are spread by the ‘fecal-oral’ route, which means organisms on hands, contaminated after using the restroom, end up in the mouth of another person.”
What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Hands?
Skipping handwashing can expose you and your family to a range of illnesses.
Shah explains:
“Germs that can be transmitted by contaminated hands can be swallowed or inhaled, such as salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, adenovirus, and influenza, [and] these germs can cause gastrointestinal illnesses such as gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea) and C. difficile colitis or respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, flu, and strep throat. Other illnesses transmitted by contaminated hands include hand-foot-mouth disease and eye infections. All of these infections can be prevented by hand hygiene,” Shah says.
Potential Risks Include:
- Stomach illnesses (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Respiratory infections (cold, flu, strep throat)
- Hand-foot-mouth disease
- Eye infections
Is Hand Sanitizer Enough After a Diaper Change?
In busy moments, reaching for hand sanitizer might feel like the easiest option.
When Hand Sanitizer Works
Vora says:
“An alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content can be used in place of washing your hands. Washing with an antimicrobial soap and water may be preferred, as it also ensures removal of soil and fecal material from hands. However, if your hands are not visibly soiled and were not in direct contact with urine of fecal material, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer could be used in place of soap and water, as this may be more convenient."
This makes sanitizer a helpful option to keep:
- Near your diapering station
- Within reach during busy moments
When You Should Wash With Soap and Water
Even though sanitizer is convenient, washing your hands is still the gold standard.
Why Soap and Water Is Best
Shah explains:
“On one hand, studies have shown that alcohol-based sanitizers may be more effective at clearing pathogens, but on the other hand, certain pathogens are not effectively killed by alcohol-based sanitizers, such as norovirus, C. difficile, and cryptosporidium. According to the CDC, washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of microbes in most situations. If soap and water are not available, then the next best intervention is using an alcohol-based sanitizer with an alcohol concentration between 60 and 95 percent. Hand sanitizers also don't work as well when our hands are heavily soiled or greasy.”
Best Practice for Parents
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Do this after every diaper change when possible
- Use sanitizer temporarily if needed—then wash soon after
A Simple Habit That Protects Your Family
It’s easy to overlook handwashing in the middle of a busy day with your baby. But taking a few extra seconds can make a big difference.
Quick Routine to Follow
- Use hand sanitizer immediately after changing your baby (if needed)
- Secure your baby safely
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
Keeping up with hand hygiene helps protect:
- Your baby
- Your family
- Yourself
Because when it comes to germs, prevention is always easier than dealing with illness later.
