B.B. asks from Saint Augustine, FL on September 25, 2006
Seeking Advice on Daughter Being Sick Constantly
My daughter is 16 mths old and is constantly sick. We honestly make weekly visits to the doctor. In the last 6 weeks we went to the doctor every week except one and she was only well for 5 days. She of course is in daycare, which I know is our problem because everytime I drop her off or pick her up another kid has a running nose or something. Is there anyway to bust her immune system or to help her so she doesn't catch as many illnesses? She seems to be sick a lot more then the other children in her daycare. Honestly I need a break and a good night sleep especially since I am 6 mths pregnant. I feel so guilty for having to put her in daycare when obviously it is not working out, no child so young should be sick this much she deserves to feel good. I keep antibacterial wipes in her diaper bag and car to use when we go out, I have a high chair cover and shopping cart cover, we have tried everything I know of to prevent her from getting germs but it doesn't seem to be helping. I really need some advice and help so my daughter can start to enjoy life better instead of being sick all of the time.
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I just wanted to provide a little more detail. My daughter has been in daycare since she was 3 mths old, so we have been dealing with this for 13mths now and it doesn't seem to be improving. My doctor assures me it is normal with daycare and will get better over time. I think by now she must have had every cold there possibly is. I also breastfeed her for over a year and both of us were sick for the whole first year of her life. And that is no joke, I got everything under the sun even mono which lasted a few months.
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P.S. answers from Tampa on October 02, 2006
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.
S.M. answers from Tampa on September 28, 2006
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.
K.S. answers from Tampa on September 26, 2006
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.
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H.M. answers from Ocala on September 26, 2006
To be honost she needs to see an allergist.
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H.P. answers from Jacksonville on September 26, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
H.W. answers from Sarasota on September 26, 2006
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.
T.B. answers from Tampa on November 09, 2006
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.
C.J. answers from Tampa on September 25, 2006
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
B.J. answers from Jacksonville on November 05, 2006
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.
M.H. answers from Sarasota on September 26, 2006
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!
A.S. answers from Indianapolis on September 26, 2006
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.
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