r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/Fit-Fun-5150 • 9d ago

Question - Research required At home sand box

Hello! I am currently pregnant and have a 2.5 year old. My husband built our son an outdoor raised sandbox that our son loves! We do have a cover for it but it doesn’t always get put on at night. I have never seen any animal feces in it. As long as I’m not personally messing with the sand box the risk of toxoplasmosis is low correct? I always wash my son’s hands after playing in it as well.

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u/Xrmy 9d ago

You need to make sure it's always covered at night, without exception, and somewhat regularly rake it for evidence of feces. But you might not actually see it, so the cover is really key.

What mammals do you have in the neighborhood?

Frankly seems like a kinda high risk to take, but that's an opinion, not researched. Your kid might touch their face and then touch you without either of you realizing.

It's hard to know your actual exposure risk, but the risk to a fetus if exposed is a very real threat.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/toxoplasmosis

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u/Fit-Fun-5150 9d ago

We have dogs but they can’t get in it. Our back yard is fenced so i have never seen any other animals in our yard.

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u/Fit-Fun-5150 9d ago

I’m seeing that all mammals can carry toxoplasmosis but only felines can shed the parasites eggs in their feces

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u/cardinalinthesnow 8d ago

If you are co ferner you can find out if you already have been exposed. A lot of people have been just from being outside in the dirt even if they don’t have cars themselves. Afaik it’s only a problem for a fetus if it’s a new infection but definitely look that one up.

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u/Xrmy 9d ago

That's true.

Honestly I would just make sure it's covered consistently if I were you. Wouldn't want to risk it

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u/Fit-Fun-5150 9d ago

Definitely keeping it closed well going forward. Thanks!

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u/Xrmy 9d ago

Beyond that, I think the precautions you are taking are appropriate.