Germ-killing toothpastes, antibacterial soaps, sanitizing deodorants, bacteria-banishing home cleaners. With all of these products on the market, you'd think everything in hand's reach is likely to make your family sick. But are all germ-killing products really protecting us in the long run? To find out, we interviewed Jessica Snyder Sachs, author of Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World. Here, Sachs gives us the lowdown on which products are worth it … and which aren't.

Germ-killer Overkill
After making a career out of interviewing scientists and researchers about germs, Sachs is quick to advise that most germ-killing products on the market -- including nasal sanitizing gels, toothbrush sanitizers and handheld UV-light germ zappers -- aren't necessary and may be harmful. Sure, they kill germs. But the bigger question is: Do we want them to?

Some germs are harmless, and exposure actually strengthens our immune systems."When we lump all germs together and try to wipe them out of our lives, we end up with an increase in autoimmune diseases, allergies, asthma and other disorders," says Sachs."We've gone about trying to over-sanitize our lives, when it's really just a tiny percentage of germs that cause disease."

Sachs suggests that nasal sprays meant to wipe out all the bacteria in our noses, good and bad, is "freeing up the "parking spaces,' so to speak, for potentially dangerous bacteria to take up residence. We need to remember that our bodies are full of good bacteria that help keep out the bad ones," she says.

It's not just our bodies that may be suffering from sanitation overkill; germ-killing products may also compromise humans' ability to fight disease-causing germs in the long run. Sachs suggests checking the label of antibacterial soaps for triclosan, a chemical shown to work like an antibiotic, which she says is usually listed as an active ingredient.

According to Sachs, triclosan is ubiquitous in our environment now."It ends up getting flushed down drains and is found in sewage plants, rivers and lakes," she says."There is concern that the widespread use of these antibacterial products is going to fuel drug resistance -- a huge problem today -- without giving any real benefit."

So is there a place for germ-killing products in our lives?

Beneficial Germ Killers
Most experts agree that a few products do promote overall health by reducing the transmission of disease and infection."Studies have shown that good old-fashioned soap and water, as well as alcohol gels for sanitizing hands, reduce the incidence of picking up an infectious disease," says Sachs."The way most of us catch an infectious illness is through our hands: We inoculate ourselves when we touch our eyes and our noses with germ-covered hands. You can interrupt that transmission cycle just by using ordinary soap and water to wash your hands regularly." Here are the germ-killing products you should have on hand:

·         Sanitizing gels. When you're in a place where you don't have access to soap and water -- like when you're navigating a busy subway -- alcohol hand-sanitizing gels are an ideal (and healthy) solution.

·         Germ-free humidifiers. These are also generally regarded as a safe bet, and most experts suggest they're a worthy health investment."Humidifiers can become breeding grounds for mold and mildew, which are types of fungus that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma. That's why you want to be careful that your humidifier is clean and has a HEPA filter that will remove mold and mildew."

·         Kitchen cleaners. Another place where antibacterial products may have a place is in the kitchen, says Sachs."We've been using antibiotics in our livestock for years, and consequently a lot of our meat and eggs are contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria." If you handle raw eggs or meat, you may want to use an antibacterial kitchen cleanser to kill the germs left behind on kitchen surfaces. Sachs suggests vinegar may be a better bet: It's acidic enough to kill bacteria naturally -- without reinforcing the cycle that's contributing to creating drug-resistant bacteria.

The most important point to keep in mind, says Sachs, is that while we should reduce exposure to infection-causing germs, the vast majority of germs aren't harmful."We have to get away from the idea that all germs are bad," she says.

So don't go overboard ridding your house of germs and bacteria. Know that it's okay for kids to play in the dirt. And the next time the neighbor's dog licks your child's face, let it go. Just be sure to keep washing those hands.

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Your medicine cabinet is stocked with acetaminophen, throat lozenges and saline spray for your little one’s next cold. While that can help with symptoms, they don’t do much to comfort and soothe -- that’s our job!

To help your child feel comfortable as she recovers, I recommend a few smart parenting strategies. Here are a few of my must-have items to keep your little one content and comfortable through the worst of cold and flu season.

1. Activities
Rest is key, so it’s helpful to have options on hand to keep them occupied while in bed or on the couch. Have them read, draw, color, make a craft or watch movies. I like to keep some new books and movies tucked away for sick days. To make the day as fun as possible, you can also spread out blankets on the floor or set up a tent in the family room.

2. Popsicles
To ease the ache of a sore throat, whip up a batch of popsicles with your own mold. Let your child pick out their favorite 100 percent fruit juice flavor. Not only will the chilliness soothe the pain, but the treat will also deliver some much-needed vitamins and minerals.

3. Fun foods and utensils
When they’re sick, most kids don’t have much of an appetite or can’t keep much in their bellies. But what kid likes to eat plain, bland food? My parenting strategy: Give them something to smile about by serving them in fun dishes, or using a crazy straw in their smoothie or soup. Consider using food coloring to make a smiley-face in their applesauce; get creative!

4. Touch
Research shows that touch can rev up the immune system, according to a study in The Journal of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. And that may help speed up your little one’s healing process.

To give your child physical contact and affection -- without exposing yourself to germs -- write on her back. While you spell out letters with your fingers, have her guess the letters or spell the words. When I was a kid, this was my favorite sick-day ritual. Write out special sayings to comfort your child like, “feel better” and “I love you.”

Help make your little one’s sick day a little better with some creative touches you can both feel good about.

Feed a Cold

Sick kids don’t always want to eat, but it’s important to make sure they get enough nutrients. Make a game of it by playing restaurant: Give your child a menu of healthy choices, write his “order” down on a notepad, then deliver the meal on a tray. Keep it fun with foods like “orange smiles” (oranges sliced into smiles); toast cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters; or chicken soup served in a thermos. To soothe a sore throat, Amy Clark, founder of MomAdvice.com, suggests fruit-juice popsicles or a fruit smoothie (a mix of ice, yogurt and fruit in a blender). For a fun, fizzy drink, mix a colorful electrolyte juice with ginger ale and serve in a fancy glass -- don’t forget the silly straw!

Make a Sick Day Special

Keep a few special items on hand that you only pull out for sick days. Clark suggests hitting a thrift store to buy a small, inexpensive suitcase. Decorate it with brightly colored buttons and bows, and fill it with some special items: pajamas with your kid’s favorite cartoon character on them, a mug with a family photo on it, and a few toys, games, coloring books, puzzles and art supplies reserved just for sick days.

Try a Spoonful of Sugar

Get little ones to take their medicine by mixing liquids or crushed pills with something sweet, like a smoothie, pudding, applesauce or fruit-flavored yogurt. (Just be sure to ask your pediatrician or pharmacist if it’s OK first, and make sure your child takes the entire dose.) You can also make liquid meds fun by using a medicine dropper instead of a spoon -- let your child squirt it into his own mouth one drop at a time. 

Soothe Aches and Pains

For a fever, congestion, or aches and pains associated with the flu, a little TLC can go a long way. Try massaging your little one’s aching neck and shoulders. Clark also suggests filling a tube sock with rice and freezing it to use as a cold pack. Help to clear a stuffy head by enclosing yourselves in the bathroom with a steamy shower: Clark recommends letting your child wear his bathing suit for a “day on a tropical island,” and for a special touch, adding bubbles and tub toys.

Create a Comfort Zone

Kids need to get a lot of quiet rest when they’re sick. Create a space where they’ll actually want to relax by pitching a tent in the living room and filling it with a sleeping bag, pillows and a flashlight, as well as some favorite books, stuffed animals and quiet activities like puzzles and board games.

Play Doctor

Keep a toy doctor’s kit on hand, and with your kid, practice looking into each other’s ears, giving pretend shots and listening to each other’s coughs. Be the nurse and come in to check on your “patient” often. Fluff the pillows, take his temperature and listen to his heartbeat.

Go Old-school

Skip the TV, video games and movies, and instead take advantage of some quality quiet time with your child. Play a few rounds of tic-tac-toe, I Spy, Go Fish or charades. Make up stories, cut out paper dolls, sort through old photographs, or pull out some old board games, puzzles and coloring books.

Reach out

When you’re away from your sick kid, Clark suggests keeping in touch by using a baby monitor -- many of the newer models offer two-way communications. You can also give your child a bell, a walkie-talkie or a cell phone to get your attention when you’re needed.

Turn the Lights out

Help your kid get into “rest mode” by pulling down the shades, turning off the lights and playing some quiet activities together in bed. Carole Kranowitz and Joye Newman, authors of Growing an In-Sync Child: Simple, Fun Activities to Help Every Child Develop, Learn and Grow suggest a game of ceiling flashlight tag or shadow puppets on the wall. Stick some glow-in-the-dark stars on your child’s ceiling and make wishes. Tell ghost stories (not too scary -- you want your kid to fall asleep!). Or just lie down, cuddle up and take a nap together.

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Where are you planning on spending the holidays? According to a recent national survey, more than 40 percent of families are planning on packing their bags. Unfortunately, traveling can leave kids cranky, bored or upset -- and parents frustrated. But you can steer clear of these bumps in the road with a little advance preparation. With the following simple strategies, your next trip will be less stressful -- and more memorable.

1. Discuss your destination.
To prepare your kids for the unfamiliar, tell them what they can expect. If your sister has three dogs and two cats, for instance, prepare your kids for a wild week: “Aunt Linda’s house is a little loud with lots of people and animals, but that is what makes it fun!” Children are better able to handle change when they’re in the know.

Also, remember to stay positive. Even if you’re dreading the traffic to your in-laws’ home, avoid griping in front of your kids. Instead, discuss topics that will help create positive memories, like how excited you are to decorate the tree with grandma and grandpa.

2. Gradually change their schedule.
If grandma’s house is in another time zone, shift your kids’ bedtime by 10 to 15 minutes in the week or two leading up to your vacation. This adjustment will prevent them from becoming exhausted on the trip. Also don’t forget to plan for a week of readjustment when you return.

3. Pack activities.
To keep your kids from chorusing “are we there yet,” bring plenty of toys and games to keep them occupied. Ask your kids what they want to do in the backseat or on a flight, whether it’s playing a handheld video game, reading books or drawing on a new sketchpad.

When they get bored, bring back travel games from your own childhood. Some favorites from my family: finding license plates from every state, searching for letters of the alphabet on road signs and punch-buggy contests.

4. Bring touches of homes.
Children thrive on the familiar. When you’re out of your normal routine, providing things they know helps to ease the discomfort of unknown situations and unfamiliar surroundings. Pack five small items that you use in your child’s daily life, such a favorite spoon for breakfast, his toy train, a plastic fish for the bath, a favorite book and his own pillow. These touches provide consistent reinforcement throughout the day that home isn’t that far away.

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Photo: Corbis Images

As a parenting expert, I often teach one simple, free way to get your kids to stress less, fend off colds, and sleep more soundly. It sounds too good to be true, right? But these are just a few the benefits of one simple action: touch.

Children need physical touch as much as they need the air they breathe. After all, it's the only one of the physical senses that humans can't live without. That's because our skin plays an important role in the stimulation of hormones and function of the internal organs. In fact, a growing body of research shows that touching has many rewards, such as

• Healthy growth and development. Research from the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute found that infants who received regular massages from their moms grew more and gained more weight after a month.
  
  
• Less stress and anxiety. Touch can improve the relaxation response, lessening stress and anxiety, reports a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.
• Better sleep. Need more shut-eye? Give a few more snuggles. According to a study published in Infant Behavior and Development, babies who were given regular massages slept more soundly than those who didn't.
• A stronger immune system. Massages boost the production of natural killer cells, cells that fight off viruses and other invaders, reveals a study from the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute.
• Reduced aggression. In a study of 17 teens, those who received 20-minute massages twice a week reported feeling less hostile after about a month. Their parents also said they seemed calmer and less aggressive.

But even with all these proven benefits, children receive little physical contact from their parents -- and even less in day care and preschool settings. According to a study published in the journal Early Child Development and Care,  preschool children receive physical contact less than 12 percent of the day, and boys receive much less than that amount.

To foster more contact with infants and toddlers, I recommend that parents incorporate the following actions into their daily routine:

• Bathing

• Breathing

• Breastfeeding

• Giving kisses

• Gently massaing your baby or toddler with soft strokes

• Snuggling

• Engaging in physical play, like tickling

Holding and/or carrying your child in a soft baby carrier (just keep in mind that the overuse of strollers, swings and plastic carriers can prevent young children from getting the physical touch they need every day)

As children grow older, it's only natural that they begin to pull away. But their need for touch always remains. While you want to respect your kids' developing individuality, you won't want them to stray too far. To stay in touch (literally), try changing it up with:

• Snuggling

• Back rubs

• Neck and shoulder massages (and don't forget to ask for one yourself!)

• Rough-and-tumble play -- without competitiveness or aggression

• An occasional kiss, but respect the child's cues as to what makes him or her comfortable

What About Dad? 

It's just as important for fathers to make physical contact with their children. Rough-and-tumble play is one way that even the most reticent dad can handle touch, without feeling too uncomfortable.

If you didn't receive a lot of touch when you were a child, this may all seem a little too much. But just remember that our bodies need the sensation -- just like they require food to eat. So if your kid is feeling a bit under the weather, make an effort to comfort her with some extra snuggles; you just may speed up her immune system and help her get more of the quality rest she needs. And with time and practice, those hugs, snuggles and massages will become a natural and joyful part of your daily routine -- and that will help your kid stay happier and healthier year-round.

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Photo: Corbis Images