Preemie and Daycare

Hi L.. I too have a preemie, although mine was born much sooner than yours at 27 weeks gestation. I was advised by our Neonatologists that it is advisable for my child not to attend daycare until atleast 2 years of age due to having a weaker immune system than most "term" babies, so I have been home with her for the past 15 months. I think the best thing for you would be to consult your pediatrician and see if they think it is ok for your child to be exposed to the germs other children may bring into your home. Our child had to get the RSV vaccine every month during cold/flu season, if yours did as well will he be exposed to it from other children you may bring into your home as the vaccine does not prevent RSV but keeps it from being as bad if it is contracted. If I were you I would definately consult your pediatrician before you did anything. Hope this helps.

I don't have a preemie, but I am fresh off of my 9 month old son and my 3 year old daughter having RSV and it was horrible. My son almost had to have an IV because he stopped eating and drinking and started getting dehydrated. He got an ear infection and had to have breathing treatments 3 times per day. I am so thankful that he wasn't a preemie because I can't imagine how bad it would have been if he was. He was a full term, healthy baby and this took him down. I still don't know how he got it since he is home with me and only goes to the nursery at church, but nonetheless, he did. So, I'm not sure how to help in your situation other than to say that I might wait until he is a year old to put him in any kind of day care unless you absolutely have to. I just feel like until they are at least a year old, they get really sick really quickly and I would imagine a preemie would be even more susceptible to illness. You can't put them in a bubble and my son still picked this virus up somewhere even though he isn't in daycare, but it might be best if you could try to keep the younger one shielded from the germs for as long as possible. Just my two cents! I wish you luck with your decision. It's so tough to know what to do as a Mom! :-)

By the way, I have enrolled my son in Mom's Day Out for the fall, so he will be going too, but he'll be 15 months old when he starts, so I feel okay about that. My daughter is in MDO now and will be in preschool next year, so I do think those programs are great! Good luck!

L.

I don't think you are being silly. It's a justified consern.

My son was born 5 weeks early in 2005. In July he will be 4 years old. When he was one he started mother's day out and went twice a week. We did this for two years. When he turned 3 I put him in full time day care and he is doing great!

This is not to say that your son won't get sick. My son was sick many times that first year he was in mother's day out, but everything always worked out for the best!

Good Luck!

Could you wait a little bit longer? I have been in child care for a couple years now, and he is going to get sick, as it gets closer to summer though its more of just runny noses. My son who was a summer baby I went back to work when he was 3 weeks, my daughter (who was a preemie) was born this past November, I won't go anywhere near.

Is he still getting the special preemie RSV shots? Ask your pedi. Find out what the main 'illness' concerns are... Because if the main concern is RSV (and if he is still getting vaccinated against that), that might not be as much of a worry. Flu season is about to end, so again, that might not be as much of a concern. Not sure if strep throat is a primarily a winter months thing... But in regard to timing, it might work more in your favor since he would be starting in the late spring and summer.

I used to work in daycar and even run one. I have ran some very nice centers and worked and some that are not so wonderful.
I honestly would wait! He will get sick! That was my biggest battle with my staff was cleaning, washing hands, santize, etc. It is horrible.
Daycare can be so dirty and full of germs. Parents dont understand that when they ar sick that have to stay home. They get mad, upset and convince doctores to relise them etc. They dont need to be there is they are sick at all. It is a never ending cycel. The only thing I can advice you is if you do put him in. To be PICKY AS POSSIBLE.Look at the rooms, toysm, changing areas. Watch if the teacher wash there hands every diaper change, and the kids, Wash before serve food, clean child nose, etc. Really wacth out for that stuff. It really matters. Ask them about there pocily for sick children.
I have worked for a dayacare that is no questions asked your chidl is sick they HAVE to go home and stay out 24hours regardless of doctor note. And I have worked at a center that they said they where strict, but then the director would let them stay. Be very caeful!

You are in no way being silly. It is a hard decision to make and only you know what you feel comfortable doing.

I will be going through a similar situation in a few months. You see, my daughter was born 17 WEEKS premature! I had her at 23 weeks back in Novemeber and she wasn't due until 2 weeks ago and she is still in the hospital today. My oldest daughter is going to be 4 in June and will be ready for school come August. My preemies doctor actually had concerns because of the illnesses that my daughter could catch and bring home to the baby. Although 9 weeks and 17 weeks are way different...my little one his endured numerous infections and surgeries and is suffering from chronic lung disease so it might be a totally different situation for you! Just check with your sons doctors to make sure it is totally safe for him to be in a daycare. Hope you make the decision that is right for you and your little one!

Take care.
L.