1 Year Old in Daycare and Always Sick

J.

I hate to say it but....this is very normal. I have a son who is in daycare now and when I was younger I worked in childcare and I even got sick a lot.

It will take about a year for his immune system to build up but once that happens you should notice a difference.

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My kids are not in daycare, but starting at 7 months my son got ear infections, one after the other, at 10 months we got tubes put in his ears, very simple procedure, and have not had a problem since. The doctor would have gladly kept giving me antibiotics, we had to try several kinds and he was on them almost everyday. I insisted on a ENT doctor referral and to have tubes put in because I was so worried about what the antibiotics were doing to his immune system, not to mention the constant pain he was in. As far as different illnesses it is normal, but having had worked in a daycare (n still work in a church one occasionally) not every worker is the same as far as cleaning. Some run out the door. Toys should be soaked in some bleach water, things should be wiped down, hands should be washed. It really does help somewhat. Ask if they are doing this. His immune system will build up as he grows, they sell yogurt products that help strengthen the immune system.

1 mom found this helpful

Isn't this the hardest thing? My daughter suffered through a 6 month long ear infection. A couple of months before she got her tubes, I was in the office less than two weeks one month--she was either sick from the ear infection or suffering from antibiotic side effects.

You should definitely get a referral to an ENT--you probably don't even need a referral if you have a PPO or OAP.

The good news is she has rarely been sick in the last year since the surgery. I have combatted some of the colds/infections with a course of Mucinex at the first signs of congestion. It has worked great to thin her mucous and keep it from progressing to a sinus or ear infection. Talk to your pedi about dosing.

I also added Floradix children's vitamins and a children's immune support supplement to her daily routine and I think it has made a difference. I seem to notice her catching something when I miss some days due to business travel. Check Whole Foods or even HEB.

Have an open discussion with your employers about what is happening. Keep in mind, also, that you may be covered under FMLA depending on the size of your company and tenure. Taking unpaid days is hard, but it can help you hang onto your job and take some pressure off your employer--they lose out too when you have to miss.

Good luck...this too shall pass.

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Hi J.
When our son was 8 months old we went through that too, and I know exactly where you're coming from. We both worked and our baby had to be in daycare and he got sick constantly! Its very frustrating I know.
In a daycare environment I know thats normal but I couldn't take it, and I moved him to another daycare. It did get better at the new place believe it or not.
Sorry I don' t have more advice for you, thats just what we did at the time.
Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

This happens to kids in daycare and kids not in daycare. Ear infections happen because their own Eustachian tubes are so tiny and cannot expel the fluid.

Here in Austin (Texas), the winter was so mild, it was a constant allergy pit! Imagine being a baby and having your body try to process all of that gunk.
Right now with all of the bloomin' flowers and trees, more allergies, then comes the lawn mowing!

With both of you, you need to tell your employers about the situation. You are not alone. Explain the situation and try to keep them informed. At some point I would also suggest you explain all of this to your doctor and see about tubes.. My husband wanted to wait for so long, that at one point our daughter lost hearing! That is when I put my foot down and said he could take a valium, I was taking her to surgery!

Hang in there mom, lots of us have been there. It is so frustrating, but even if you were home all day, this would be going on.