Sick All the Time

Hi S.,
My son (23 mo) started daycare about 2 mo. ago also, and has been sick on and off ever since. We actually had the tubes put in his ears a couple of weeks ago because he had gotten a very bad ear infection (his first ever) which turned into mastoiditis. Anyway, my Pediatrician said that there isn't a whole lot you can do to prevent it - when there are a lot of kids in close quarters they will spread germs.She recommended that you look for the lowest child/classroom ratio possible and just look at general cleanliness when shopping for a daycare provider. I would talk to the director about their policy with allowing sick kids to attend. Also, I hear that it is ultimately good for them to build up their immune system. People I've talked to said to expect a lot of colds, etc. for the first year. My little guy was NEVER sick until daycare - so I know how you are feeling! Let me know if you want a recommendation for the Ear,Nose, Throat doctor that we used. Good luck!

S.,

It is normal for a child to pick up a cold or two because they have to build up an immune system against various flus and bacteria. However being sick the entire time is not what I would call normal. I would check with the pediatrician to see why your child is so easily affected by the viruses. At the day care I go to, you cannot drop your child off or you are required to pick them up if the temp is 100 degrees or more. The mom that is dropping off the constantly sick child has no regard for others. She should be at home with her child making sure he/she gets better. I would check on the policy of sick children and if they don't have one then pull your child and put them somewhere else. If they do have a policy then I think you should suggest they enforce it.

That is a common problem with daycare facilities. However, it is not always the case. I worried about that myself when I went back to work & for that reason I chose a very strict, but loving in-home daycare that was highly recommended. My daughter has only been sick 2x since I went back to work a year ago & neither of those times was it something she caught from there.

How many ear infections has your son had? While tubes aren't the most appealing option, sometimes they truly are the best route to go. You need to be able to trust your Ped's opinion. If you are not, then there is nothing wrong with questioning him, seeking a second opinion or finding a new Dr. altogether.

Good luck!

~M.

S., Hello I'm a preschool teacher here in Henderson and also a mother of a 8yr. old and 3yr. old. When I first took my daughter to preschool with me she did get the ocassional cold and sore throat symtoms, she was 4 when she started preschool however when I put my son in school at the age of 2 he was constantly sick, so much that I wondered if I should pull him out??? At the younger age level it is crucial that the staff be on top of personal hygene. Because you know everything goes in their mouths. Ask the director how often they clean toys,mats and classrooms and what they use to disinfect. It sounds like your child it getting sick too often. I hope this has helped I know how hard it is to see your child sick all the time.

Hello S.,
What you are describing is very common. I used to work in a private preschool facility for a few years. The children pass around colds, flus, and everything else. Especially at young ages where everything goes in their mouths. Daycares are usually required to send children home if they have fevers or are very sick. However, if it is just a runny nose, the children are not required to be picked up. It is up to the facility to be cleaning areas, toys, and things frequently. If you don't think the facility is doing a good job, look for a new place to put your son, or look into at home care. I have two children under 3 years. Since I started staying home with them, they rarely get sick. I know the pains of constant medication and doctor visits. You have to do what you think is best for your child, even if it is moving to another facility or caregiver. I wish you the best.

Personally I've been lucky with my 5 month old son. But I would bring this problem up with the director of your daycare. Do they not have sick care seperate from well care? I would complain that a student of the daycare that is OBVIOUSLY sick is coming into daycare and getting other children sick. That child should be put in some type of "sniffles" room, or not allowed into daycare. Your son getting a few ear infections would be normal from daycare...but not as often as you described.

My son, now 3 yrs old, started daycare when he was 13 months old. He was in the Dr's office at least twice a month with ear infections, colds, and my personal favorite--roseola. The Dr had him on a kind of low dose recurring antibiotic and had also recommended tubes or taking him out of school all together. It seems that after I changed schools to a closer location he seemed to be getting sick alot less. And, now that he is three I haven't had to keep him home at all due to illness. But I completely understand your frustration and it will get better.

S.

My daughter went through the same thing. She started daycare at 10mos and was sick for about the next 2 months. Your story sounds all too familiar. We were on the route to tubes in the ears also.
My daughter was getting even a little sick and it always ended up in an ear infection. Eventually my pediatrician recommended Singulair (which is an asthma medicine) so that when she was getting sick she would stay decongested. It helped with the ear infections so that little things like runny noses and coughing didn't end up in antiobiotics and doctors visits. I would talk to your pediatrician about maybe a decongestant/antihistamine working under the same principle. It might work, it did for me.
As for talking to the director at the daycare, it will do no good. Eventually your son will build up a tolerance to all those daycare bugs, but it definately takes time.
Good luck.