Our 18 month old son who had a private nanny until he was 16 months old, started at a very nice daycare center (Northeastern IL University) 1.5 months ago. Before that, he was only sick once in his life. It was stomach flu and it passed quickly without medication. In the past 1.5 months he has had Fifth Disease, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, Pink Eye and now he has a double ear infection and is on his 3rd antibiotic. (first wasn't working, second caused a rash.) I'm questioning this whole daycare thing, even though I love the center and his teachers and he seems to like it there when he's well enough to go. My other option is a nannyshare, which will be more expensive and he would miss out on socialization with a group. And, I sure am tired of having emplyees. Anyway...Does anyone have a child who got sick a lot in daycare at first, but then was fine after building up his/her immunity?
We were sick a lot through our 9 months of "nannyshare", and through out our first 6-8 months of daycare. Once it seemed like we had run through every major childhood illness, it all just stopped. (Knock on wood.) She's 27 months now, and it just seems to be the minor sniffles here and there. They get this stuff eventually. Better now than in kindergarten.
My son had a nanny until he was 8 months and then we put him in a nice daycare. The first month, he was maybe there all of one week b/c he was so sick wiht a stomach bug, pink eye, etc. He's 23 months now and in pretty good health. He does still get the sniffles or some sort of bug but doens't need to see the dr. I wash his hands every morning once we get there and I also put some probiotic from Whole Foods into his cereal every morning. I got this tip from another mom when he had a stomach bug that lasted for 2 weeks. I swear, the probiotic really does keep him healthy. Just b/c your child is older when put into daycare does not mean their immune system is better. Bc they had little or no exposure to other children, their immune system is weak and it will take time to build up.
N.,
My niece has been in daycare since 7 months. It's a very nice, rather expensive one, and she has been sick ALOT. She has gone through exactly what your son has gone through- hand, foot and mouth, double earaches, etc. She's now 18 months old and still seems to get sick alot. It actually surprises me that she still gets sick as much as she does. Are you doing anything to help your son keep his immune system strong? I would recommend vitamins for him, as well as a probiotic. I sell both, if you are interested, and can give you more info. You might not be able to avoid the germs at daycare, but you can help him fight off some of what he is exposed to.
Good luck,
T.
Although the illnesses may be distressing, which would you prefer: potentially being sick now and missing a few days of daycare or potentially being sick in elementary school and missing out on precious learning time?
Our baby has 'moved rooms' three times due to his age at his daycare. Like clockwork, he gets sick about a week after the switch. It's never anything major - mostly a little cough or a runny nose. After that initial period, he rarely gets sick. And he was formula fed too - go figure!!
What I would be most concerned about are the illnesses your son is getting and why on EARTH your daycare center is allowing parents to bring their child to school so sick! Kids are going to have runny noses and feel a little worn down; that's to be expected but it sounds like they need to do a better job of enforcing their 'sick policy' (fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose if not clear, etc.). I'm fine with the concept of daycare, but my biggest complaint are the selfish parents who bring their super-sick kids to daycare when they really ought to be home.
I would suggest using a nanny and for socialization have the nanny take your child to park district playgroups or baby classes. That way they are exposed to less germs.
It will get better!! I have been a family daycare provider for over 18 years and I always tell the parents the first 6 months is the hardest. Your child is also at that perfect age for illness. At that age the children are always putting their fingers and toys into their mouths and around their face. Which of course does not help. Maybe you can ask the teachers in his room to wash his hands more often and wash his hands as soon as you get home. Also, the children should be washing their hands when they arrive at the daycare. I know you said you are happy at the daycare you are at but you might want to try a smaller setting until your child builds up his immunity.
Believe me it will get better. My children were very sick when they were younger. You name it they got it! Now they are extremely healthy teenagers! It will pass.
