On average, babies who grow up with dogs need fewer antibiotics than other kids.
Baby loves their puppy
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There are many benefits to having a dog and here’s a new one…kids get sick less.
A new study has found that growing up with a dog might actually be good for a baby’s health. Researchers in Finland followed nearly 400 families and found that babies who lived with dogs had fewer respiratory infections, needed fewer antibiotics, and had more healthy weeks during their first year compared with children who didn’t have a dog at home.
Baby and their rescue dog
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Scientists think part of the reason may be all those dog-related germs and microbes that come into the house. As it turns out, a little exposure to different germs may help a baby’s immune system develop. And there could be other factors, too — families with dogs may spend more time outside and have different routines
Babies and dogs go together like......
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So, basically, your dog may be doing more than stealing food, shedding on everything you own and taking up half the bed. They might actually be giving your baby’s immune system a little boost, too. The researchers say the findings add to what we know about how a child’s early environment can affect their health.
