13 Month Old Never Been Sick

Hi S.,

It is a great thing! My daughter rarely gets sick and many of her friends get sick a lot. So, I do understand feeling the way you do and wondering. Part of why your child does not get sick is you probably don't worry about whether he will. So, don't start worrying about why he is well. Just be really grateful that he is so healthy! It means you and your husband are doing a really great job with nutrition as well as lifestyle. Children get sick when they get sick. If it is a concern for you, you could have some tests run or discuss it as well with his physician, however it seems very normal to me. :)

The thing that people say about immune system is funny to me, because we have recently found out that most of what was done to us as a kid is horrible for us. We have opted out of antibiotics and gone the homeopathic route now due to our own past sickness. I do agree that children should build their immune systems, but I do not agree that it takes getting sick to do it. There are many vitamins as well as juices and fruits and veggies that add to building the immune system. We use a website called GHT. You can google it and it will come up. The company is Global Health Trax. To me though, as long as your child is getting vitamins, minerals, and exercise and eating correctly, and it sounds like it if he never gets sick, that is wonderful! Blessings to you and your sweet family. :)

K.S.

2 moms found this helpful

are you breastfeeding? that can hold off getting sick for a long time, i know. in that case, i wouldn't worry about it.

it's true that it's good for kids to get sick so that they can build up their immune systems, but i haven't heard that it's not good for kids not to get sick! if you're really wondering, i'd ask his doc. :) hopefully they'll say, "count your blessings!".

good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

I say hoping they will get ill now is just an old wives tale. It sounds to me like he has a great immune system. If you are nursing him still he is benefitting from your immune system. Keep doing whatever you are doing!

2 moms found this helpful

Sick babies are soooo miserable... it's a blessing to have them healthy so long! My daughter has had 4 or 5 colds in her life, all very mild, while the other children we know who go to daycare are constantly bringing home nasty bugs. I'm sure we'll get them all when she starts preschool next year, but for now, I'm just happy we're all well. I wouldn't worry about his immune system... he'll still be 'young' if he goes to preschool and starts being around other kids more.

2 moms found this helpful

Continue being proud! My 12 year old was that way (never got his first fever until he got an earache @ 20 months old), and to this day he barely catches anything. Seriously, our house will be hit with the flu so bad that everybody else will be dryheaving, and he will just say 'I'm not feeling good, I'm going to take a nap,' go & sleep for 3 or 4 hours & wake up feeling fine! It's clear that you are not keeping him in a bubble, so it sounds like he has naturally built up immunities already (as opposed to protecting him from germs, which can lead to the later issues others are warning you about). Enjoy your healthy baby!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,
Your little guy is building immunities by being exposed to children who are ill. I once did daycare for a dear friend and the child was sick a lot. I would never think to turn away the sick child from care simply because I had a 1 year old and a 5 year old who were continually healthy. All three are adults now and my two are still very healthy except for the occasional stuffy/runny nose thing that is a big part of life in the NW. You should be proud of the fact that your boy is healthy. Good for you! No worries, OK?
Best to you,
J. S

1 mom found this helpful

my son has never been sick either but i breast fed cause i herd that helped with there immunity and so does sleep. i would not worry to much. :)

1 mom found this helpful

It sounds to me like you are exposed to a lot of jealous people who want to make you worry about something can't just say thats awesome that you boy has such a great immune system I knew a guy in high school that never got sick even when we all had food poisoning he just had a little stomach ache some people are just lucky that way if you had him living in a bubble so that he never was around the viruses and what not then I would be worried but that is not the case your doing great.

1 mom found this helpful

I don't thlink you have anything to worry about except for "Worry" itself. Be happy he is not sick at such a young age. Believe me, he will get sick sooner or later....Nana I.

1 mom found this helpful

He may not need to "build" up his immunities because he already has strong ones! One of my daughters is/was the same way--even if she got sick, whatever she got, she got to such a lesser degree than my other two. When they all had chicken pox, she had about 10 chicken pox and was barely sick at all! Some children are just hardier and healthier by nature and it is NOT a bad thing. Things like getting enough sleep, plenty of exercise, and eating well all influence a child's immune system. I think you should relax and feel good that your child is so healthy. Sure, he may get some illnesses as he ages, but that is typical too. Celebrate his healthiness and don't worry about it!

1 mom found this helpful

My son is almost 13 months and other than a runny nose once he has never been sick either. I breastfed for most of the first year which I believe is the reason. Its inevitable that they will get sick, they have plenty of time to "build an immune system". Be thankful!! =)

1 mom found this helpful

S.-

You've gotten so much good advice that I hesitate to put in my two cents, but here goes... Your little boy is getting exposed to all the viruses and germs from your friend and her little ones. Even though he isn't showing any symptoms, he's building his immune system every time he goes over there. He'll probably have his "fair share" of colds and what-not over the years, but for now, just rejoice in the fact that your little boy is happy and healthy.

Sincerely-
B.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,
Congrats on your baby boy!
Did you breastfeed him? That may be why he's never been sick. If you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, then he had adult immunity. If you continued to breastfeed until he was one, then he already has a lot of immunity built up.
I say, stay proud of the fact that he is so healthy and just ignore the "conflicting opinions" that make you doubt your situation.
Take care!
J.

1 mom found this helpful

He could be a very healthy boy w/no problems. He may be carrying the bugs but not symptomatic.
Since you are wondering what you could be in for, mind you this is probably not the case, but better prepared than shocked later. Friends of mine whose children developed autism also noted that their kids were never/hardly ever sick. I AM NOT saying this is true of your little bundle. I am only presenting a worst case scenario. If you look for other symptoms now and in the next couple of years you will have your eyes open to this possibility growing. If there are no other signs than HE IS FINE!!!
I hope he is just a very healthy baby, and chances are he is.
M.

1 mom found this helpful

First of all, can you really control this? Since I don't think you really can, be happy about it. There is no way to tell how many germs he has come into contact and fought off with an awesome immune system or if he has had lower exposure. Either way be happy his health is one less thing to worry about. The only thing that comes to mind that I personally see as negative are those crazy moms (I mean no personal offense...) that sterilize EVERYTHING and don't allow their children to explore their environment for fear of germs. AND I do know there are studies that support early exposure to allergens like pets (dander) reduce the chance of those allergies later. It is not set in stone and I wouldn't get a pet just to have the exposure but something to ponder. Enjoy it while it lasts; I imagine you will get some "fun" sick days sometime when he starts school no matter his immune system!

1 mom found this helpful

My son is 7 and the only times he ever got sick was when I took him in for a well-baby check!!

He has now been exposed to other kids in lots of settings and he still does not get sick very often. I only got sick twice year growing up, usually a GI bug and a cold, usually about 6 months apart. I think he probbaly has a good immune system.

1 mom found this helpful

I would just take the sickness as it comes. You may be eating healthier than your girlfriend, and he might have better genes. Who knows. Just count your lucky stars. Maybe her children are the ones who need an extra dose of vitamins!

1 mom found this helpful

I have been told that too - that it is not good for your child to be not sick and that they need to build their immunities when they are young. My son is healthy as a horse!!! He will be 2 this month and he hasn't gotten really sick at all. I think he is fine. Maybe he has a high tolerance for fighting back all the bad germs. I don't know. I think your son is fine too. He probably has a high tolerance like mine does. I'm glad that I don't have a sick baby all the time. Giving them atibiotics, cough medicine, and other medicines. Thanks but NO Thanks, I will take my healthy as a horse son. Good Job on keeping him healthy.

1 mom found this helpful