Seeking Advice on Daughter Being Sick Constantly

Believe it or not the problem could be too much bathing.
A long time ago my older sister's daughter Maia was always sick too. Her doctor told my sister not to bath her everyday
just clean her up nightly before she went to bed.
Sponge baths were recomended.
She didn't give the child as many baths and wouldn't you know it, she stopped getting sick as often.
Now don't rule out what they say about building the ammune system with germs.

You might consider having a blood test done to rule Primary immunodeficiency as well asconsideing food allegies which, if the cause, woulweaken her immune system allowing her to pick up anything and everything.

These have been my experiences.

I am in the same boat as you. My son who is almost two went was in private care where he was the only child until about 2 months ago when I had to put him in daycare. 3 days into it he brought home stomach flu and shared with the rest of us. He has been sick ever since. Everyone says that it helps to build up his immune system and such, which okay I get, but daycares really are cesspools. At any rate, expressing my frustration to my pediatrician he suggested that every morning before I send him off to school, that I take a q-tip with vaseline on it and gently rub it inside my son's nostrils. The vaseline creates a barrier against the germs. He said as a pediatrician to keep from getting sick himself from all the germs brought into the office, that he does this every day. So I started it about a week ago and so far this is his first week without bringing home some new "stuff" to share with us. Not saying it will fight all germs because kids will still touch everything and then stick their hands in their mouths, but it does seem to be helping.

Good luck,

K.

To be honost she needs to see an allergist.

Hi, B.,

To boost immunity, I would suggest quality probiotics like Natren, Udo's Choice or Jarrodophilus. All of these can be purchased in a health food store. They will be located in the refrigerator section. Next, a whole food supplement like Juice Plus or Source of Life is a must for every child in daycare. These are different from vitamins as they are made from actual fruits and veggies, not synthesized chemicals, so the body is able to assimilate a lot more of the good stuff. Last, go have your daughter adjusted by a chiropractor, particularly one with pediatric experience. Look for someone who is NOT advertising to car accident victims, but is interested in wellness. In Jacksonville, I would highly recommend Dr. Mark Pierce or Dr. Leslie Bronson.

Peace,
H.

I would give her elderberry extract. I make my own, but you can get it at the health foodstore. It boosts her immune system before going into public places. I'm sure she'll be better when you start your maternity leave for your second blessing on the way.

Sometimes protecting kids too much can weaken their immune system too. My advice would be to just treat her at home unless she is really in need of antibiotics, in other words even if she has a fever for more than a day or two, I would treat it at home unless it is a really high temp like over 102.5 or if she is just lathargic or getting dehydrated, also sometimes you can just call the doctors office back at the end of the day or after hours and ask the doc for advice on the phone. hopfully this is helpful to you good luck

This sounds like allergies. Try changing some of the most common allergens in her life, or it could be allergic to her daycare. My friends child was allergic to her school and had to change schools because it was mainly the new carpet that was installed. So try changing laundry detergent, your household cleaners, soaps and shampoos.

I hear "airborne" is really good.

I am so sorry to hear that your daughter is feeling so badly. I know it takes a toll on you too and 6 month pregnant!!! Igh! I have 4 kids but all school age so not always sick like the preschool ages. Have you considered a sitter instead of preschool. If you live in the area I would be happy to meet with you and mabye I could help out. I have much excperience!
Let me know, wish you and your family well.

I would honestly recommend seeing a pediatric allergist (or an allergist in general... sometimes it's tough to find someone who specializes in kids) to see if the problem is deeper than just "being sick a lot." My youngest son has been non-stop sick since birth. Colds, ear infections, sinus infections, you name it. If it was going around, he got it. If it wasn't going around, he got it and gave it to everyone else. We took him out of daycare at 19 months because it was so bad. We thought that would make a big difference. It didn't. So we went to the allergist to see if the problem was environmental or something else. He had one simple blood test done. He didn't even cry for more than a second. After more than a year of trying various vitamins, herbs, and countless medications, we are finally on our way to solving the real problem. We assumed it was probably an allergy or multiple allergies. Turns out it wasn't. One of the tests run during the routine allergy screen tests antibody proteins (no, I had never heard of any of this until the results were in) for deficiencies. Turns out he has what's called low immunoglobulin G. It's the antibody protein in our bodies that helps to naturally fight infections. He either wasn't born with enough or has developed a deficiency which prevents him from keeping away viruses or getting rid of them once they've latched on. Nothing we could do on our own would've fixed the problem. He was a breastfed baby with a good diet and good environment. None of that mattered because of this deficiency. We're in the process of seeing an immunology specialist at All Children's in St. Pete to see where we go from here. Anyway, the point is your daughter sounds so much like my son. I wish that we had known the cause long ago. It would have saved so many sleepless nights, unnecessary meds and vitamins, and sick days for this poor boy. Hope this helps a little. Good luck and best wishes.

My son was sick all the time like you are describing. I - like you - was constantly in the doctor's office. I took my son to an ENT (Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor). David needed his tonsils removed. Once we did that, he was a different child - literally overnight.

I took David to the hospital for the tonsilectomy. He was quiet, lethargic, fussy, wouldn't eat good. After he had the surgery, the next morning, my son was up moving around and feeling 150% bettr than he had in almost a year.

I advise you to take your little one to an ENT for evaluation. I can honestly recommend All Children's Hospital's doctor - Wade Cressman (800) 456-4543 ext 4305.

I know All Children's Hospital is in St Petersburg, but you can't ask for better doctors and a hospital. Also Dr. Cressman has an office in Brandon, and in North Tampa at the All Children's Annex on Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

HI MY NAME IS B. I HAVE 2 GIRLS KARA WHO IS 3 GOING ON 13 AND A 3 MONTH OLD (KIANA. I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD WHEN WE HAD HER IN DAYCARE HONESTLY THE ONLY WAY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP HER WELL WAS TO TAKE HER OUT...NOW I STAY AT HOME DURING THE WEEK WITH MY GIRLS AND WORK ON THE WEEKENDS ... IF THAT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR YOU THEN I WOULD SUGGEST VITAMINS THEY DID HELP HER OUT ALOT AND SHE CONTINUES TO TAKE THEM... ORANGE JUICE HELPS BUT WITH YOURS BEING SO LITTLE THEN YOU MIGHT WANNA WATER IT DOWN BECAUSE OF THE ACID...ITS NOT ONLY YOUR CHILD THO...ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE KIDS IN DAYCARE THEY ALL STAY SICK...SO I HOPE THIS HELPS .

SYMPATHIC TO YOUR PAIN AND FRUSTRATION...
B.

Hi, I'm curious about what your doctor is saying...?
Have you looked at other daycare centers? This is a very unusual amount of time to be sick.

Don't freak out about ALL germs... she has to build up immunity by actually having some contact.
Best of luck,
M.

Hi, my son was sick on and off after he started daycare at about 14 months, I started him on vitamins daily and after a couple of months he would never get the colds or coughs as bad as the other kids. It's tried and tested by us, as when we run out...if we wait too long I swear he gets sick just like that! I was just curious if you had given her daily vitamins or not yet to help out what her diet may be lacking. But I would try that.
Good luck, I know how you feel just fed up and so tired of not sleeping. I am due with my next this Dec. also!!
-V.

This may sound strange but I learned at the beginning of this year that there is a link from allergies and asthma to regular household chemicals. Even the baby shampoos carry an ingredient that has been linked to ear infections. Since switching to a more natural and affordable brand of products my daughter is no longer on allergy meds and my husband no longer wheases from asthma. If you'd like more info send me a message and I will tell you about it. I have a lot of experience in daycare as well....I worked in one for about 7 years. We generally would not allow a child with a runny nose in the daycare...unless it was medically proven that it was from allergies. But my advice....get the chemicals out of your house and add vitamins and if the daycare is not cooperating, switch centers.
Kim

Dear B.,
Unfortunately your doctor is right. Daycare centers keep pediatricians in business. My son is 20 months and has been in daycare since 12 months. He got sick constantly with everything from rotavirus, ear infections, rashes, fevers, sinusitis, etc. He saw an ENT at about 16-17 months and she removed his adenoids and put tubes in his ears. He still gets sick but maybe about half as much. And now he doesn't get so sick he misses a lot of school either. Being with a babysitter or at home doesn't guarantee your daughter will be healthy. My cousin has 2 children and both stayed at home and both got sick a lot and had to have tubes put in their ears. I know of several other children also who stay at home and get sick a lot. Germs are everywhere and it is good that she is building her immune system. My suggestion (that worked for me ) is giving your daughter yogurt everyday (twice a day if she is on antibiotics). I actually give my son Activia which is yogurt that's supposed to have extra good bacteria. Your daughter really needs this if she has been on a lot of antibiotics. You may also want to add something called Lactinex (it is OTC and available in the pharmacy but you have to ask for it because they keep it in the fridge.) You add the granules to food, juice, etc and the tablets you can crush and do the same thing. Both yogurt and Lactinex (and Danactive) are probiotics and help replace good bacteria so she can fight off bad bacteria. Start teaching her to wash her hands and let her watch you also. You could check out your local health food store and see what is available. Don't be afraid to try homeopathic remedies (I use Hylands brand for teething, colds, etc and they work!) There are a number of good vitamins ( a mutivitamin sounds like a must) and "immune boosters" also. Do some research and check it out. It is worth trying but I swear by the probiotics!! Good luck!
K.

I had the same problem with my daughter, we even had to get tubes in her ears....But the best thing I did was switch daycares........she hasn't been sick since..She now goes to Family Ties and she was constantly sick when she went to Belleview Playland. It may be a coincidence, but I don't think so.

Check with the health food store for probiotics, they do make them for children. Also, look really closely at your household budget. With another baby coming, you may be able to justify staying home rather than paying for two in ft care.
Also, with the new one especially, nursing is the best thing you can do for the baby's immune system. Be sure that nobody is smoking around her or in your home or car.

You might want to talk to your doctor about a refural to see an immune doctor. My son was sent to an Asthma and Allergy specialist and that office also did immune systems. We go to one on University by Memorial Hospital. Email if you want information. It's a good office and they see children too.

You have received some great advice. I would personally go down the allergy road too. Next time you go to the doctor, see if he can give a Rx for common allergies. A friend of mine got the Nasonex nose spray for her 6 month old and it work wonders! My son was constantly sick for the first 5 months he was in daycare, but it has already gotten A Lot better. If yours has been in so long, then I don't think it should take 13 months for her to adjust. Although, my doctor said the same thing those firtst 5 months too. He said that they can actually be sick more than they are healthy in a year. The second best option, try another daycare. Home daycares are great because they usually have the same kids going there week after week. This place might have unusually bad cleaning practices (or lack of). I hope you can get this worked out. It unbelievable how bad you feel when they are sick!

have you tried saline nose spray? it has no medications just salt water (doesn't burn) and they have special sprays for infants (simply saline infant's). follow the directions on the can and do frequently. children can store bacteria and viruses in their sinuses, which connects to the ears. warning;;;; she will not like it at first due to the weird post nasal drip sensation, but if it keeps her healthy its worth it.

there is a juice that is sold indipendantly made out of mangosteen juice. It is found that this juice can help with busting immune system of some people. As long as child is weaned to juice I can't see why you couldnt' try it. if you would like more info ____@____.com

I am not sure what is going on with your little one, I will pray .. I was wondering did you try to get a second opinion because my 6 yr old just started KG this year and he also has been constantly sick .. I know when I took him into All Children's on Halloween night they really couldn't tell me anything and my lil man had been coughing for 3 weeks then running a very high temp for 1 week .. They told me that he had a flu virus that had been going around and that it was a pretty nasty one this year and that 9 in 10 children that had went there were sick from this .. 2 days later when I took him to the pediatrician she told me that she was suprised that the Dr. at the hospital didn't notice that he had strep she swabbed him and it came back positive, sometimes someone else will notice something the other person didn't ..

Only advice I can give to keep your lil one comfortable is to try popsicles for the throat or cold stuff .. I know they have some new ones to keep the kids hydrated while they are ill, and I was using one medicine so it is probably better to alternate so they don't become immune to the same one ..

I wish I could help more .. I know how frustrating it can be not knowing how to make em better ...

Sincerely, T.

I agree with Susan on probiotics. Even the immunity-boosting yogurts in the supermarket would be a quick and easy way to see if your daughter's immunity system needs a jump-start or if it's a problem with that particular daycare or allergies.

I know how fustrating it can be on both you and your daughter. I have been here in Sarasota for 3 years. For the last two years every winter and spring my daughter, who is now 6, was going through something similar. It started with a runny nose then would turn into this horrible cough that wouldn;t go away and would last for months. I was going to the Dr's and he would continue to put her on allergy and astma medications.(she was on breathing treatments and everything.) Fustrated because he couldn't give me anwsers I took her to a specialist. They took like 6 viles of blood then told me at that age it's to young to tell wether they have allergies or not. Anger, fustrated, yes! Finally I meet a women with similar problem in past she reccommend I go see this chropractor. Not sure what he could do for my daughter but I was feed up with Dr's and desperate to help my daughter I went. He explained how the nervous system and everything else is connected to your spine and when thats out of wack it breaks down your immune system. It was worth the shot.. so we went every week for 1 month then every other week, now once a month. Within the first month all of her symptoms including her cough were gone. She has not been sick since. He adjusts children,infants, adults, and even dogs. He is an amazing guy. If you want to talk more about this situation or what his name feel free to email me ____@____.com

i was just in your shoes about 6 months ago. my then 18month old son had just started daycare for the first time since he was bone and it seemed like everytime i picked him up from daycare he had another cold or sickness. my pediatrician kept reassuring me that this is quite normal for children who are in daycare for the first time especially around cold season. i was at my wits end because no matter what i did he would continue to get sick. (just so you know up until i enrolled him into daycare he had only been sick once or twice)essentially what i found out was my son had never been exposed to every day common virus so his immunity had not been built up. be patient it should soon pass. i think by the 2nd or 3rd month everything started getting better.