Hi Moms, I know that having my 12 month old in daycare will give us plenty of colds, but I seem to be sick all the time. Right when we get better, we get sick again. I'm eating healthy, taking prenatals (yes pregnant again) and still get sick. I'm resting as much as a working mom can with a 12 month old. Anything you Moms are doing to avoid colds?
Sorry you are sick so often. That happened to us when my son started preschool! Aside from washing your hands very often, make sure your healthy diet has a lot of variety every day: grapes are healthy, but not so beneficial every day as having grapes one day and bananas the next, for example!
Extra vitamin C and zinc have always helped me and are safe while pregnant (500mg and 50mg respectively.) Make sure you are drinking lots of water. Washing hands and not sharing food or drinks helps, but it's near impossible to keep from being exposed. Just think of it this way, you and your son are really boosting your immune systems and will eventually not get so sick as often.
WASH, WASH, WASH YOUR HANDS!! After our whole family was sick non-stop for 3 years (this begins when they get into school or daycare), and then getting pinworms on top of it all (see other mom's question) I became a hand-washing fanatic. I'm just this side of OCD. :) I made my family members do the same, though it took me 2 or 3 years to fully convert my husband. And we are hardly ever sick any more.
Hi Candy, I know how you feel! When my oldest daughter (now 25 years old) was in daycare, I had a year of off and on pink eye. Everytime she had it I'd getit, and as soon as I got rid of it she had it again! We change our hand towels in both bathrooms every day and that helps. I used to use Airborne the minute I felt I was getting something, but I guess there is some question as to whether that actually helps, and I am not sure you can use it during pregnancy. I now drink XanGo 1 oz 3 times per day and I have not had anything illness since I started drinking the mangosteen juice. This winter will be the true test. I have a mom-owned biz here on mamasource - www.referralco-op.com and it gives lots of info on XanGo. Here is a copy of what they say regarding cold and flu season from their site about XanGo:
Supports the immune system*
Inflammation is one of the first responses of the immune system to infection. Symptoms will usually include a redness or swelling, both caused by an increase in blood flow.
Promotes a healthy seasonal respiratory system*
Because the upper respiratory tract can be affected by seasonal changes, maintaining a healthy respiratory system throughout the year is important for good health. Some studies may suggest that antioxidants are beneficial in this process.
Maintains intestinal health*
The gastrointestinal tract—consisting of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach and small and large intestines—is a prominent part of the immune system.
Neutralizes free radicals*
Large molecules with powerful antioxidant properties, like xanthones, may stabilize free radicals. Left uncontrolled, free radicals can damage cells, tissue or DNA.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
FYI - I have a contest for a free bottle (25 oz) of XanGo on my site. Feel free to visit and I wish you and your family wellness now and always. Valerie G. :o)
Candy,
I feel your pain... Wash your hands frequently and most of all wash your daughter's hands right after daycare and frequently during the day. Kids touch everything and can harbor all kinds of bacteria on their hands. Also, make sure her nails are cut short so the dirt and bacteria can't get trapped under the nail bed. Good luck!
Molly
Probiotics, increase your Vitamin C, exercise, sleep and eat 5-6 meals a day that are high in nutrients. Avoid sugar which inhibits your immune system.
Put a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse. Use it on your hands and your daughter's hands AFTER you walk out the door of day care, but BEFORE you touch any of your car door handles. Take daily vitamins, and try for 30 more minutes of sleep for all of you EVERY night. (Weekends too.)
Good luck.
Children get sick a lot because they are developing antibodies. Unfortunately, we get sick from them. Some years are worse than others. Hand washing helps, as does taking suppliments, but some viruses you are just going to get. They are airborne and can't be avoided. Expect to get sick until your child has developed the antibodies. By around third and forth grade the illnesses should decrease to about 3 per year.
Don't worry, this happened to me and it will pass after his first year of day care. Wash hands a lot and whatever you do, don't eat off his plate!
Ditto on the handwashing (ask any teacher!) Also, I use ImmuneFizz (available at Costco) regularly during the school week (once a day or every other day). Lastly, the minute you notice the slightest bit of soreness or scratchiness in your throat, put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into each ear. (Be sure to give it a few minutes between ears to give the hydrogen peroxide a chance to fizzle and do its thing). Someone gave me this advice last year and I thought they were crazy, but I have to admit that it works so effectively that even my kids have me do it for them when they feel a sore throat coming on. (The premise is that some germs are airborne and work their way in through the ear canal, and the hydrogen peroxide stops them in their tracks). At any rate, it's an inexpensive treatment, and most homes have a bottle. Hope this helps.
Wash hands a million times a day! Also talk to your doctor, you might not have a cold it could be allergies.
Good Luck!
yes, there is so much you can do. Pump up your immune system..and there are a myriad of ways to do this for you and the entire family. I like to be proactive on all fronts...physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
Here are a few ideas... Reduce immune busting foods such as sugar and white flour and processed foods and stressful activities such as violent TV, fighting, gossiping and complaining (especially not loving yourself)...and believe it or not, microwave foods. Add foods that support the immune system and the body...fresh and alive, raw, organic, balanced, low or no processing...etc...
Physical exercise and yoga or meditation has an up=effect and so does being grateful.
Giving to yourself give you more ENERGY.
Using this holistic approach is easy and do=able with the new energy psychologies such as EFT, TAT, PEAT and the WOW process.
Warmly,
Laura
Yes, I got more colds too when my kids were this age. Of course, wash your hands & try using sanitizers. What has saved me the last 3 years is findinf zicam nose gel. I have been using that at the 1st sign of a cold (for me the sensation in my throat is always an indication, weird taste & hurts a little to swallow). I usually just have my cold for a day when I start the zicam right away. You need to keep taking it for 48 hrs AFTER your last sypmtom tho...I have gotten lazy a couple times & then the bacteria has a chance to multiply in your nose & I got really sick. The gel kills the germs where they multiply right in your nose. Works amazing for me! A real lifesaver :)
Living with small children is a bit like living in a petrie dish - but eventually it does subside. Whenever we seem to be having a constant time of illness, I break out some disinfecting wipes &, at least once a day, walk around the house wiping down all door handles, faucets, remotes, etc., anything that a germ can be transferred to. Of course wash hands frequently as well.
There are plenty of natural & not-so-natural ways to boost your immune system, but definitely check with your doctor before taking ANYTHING since you are pregnant. I was told I couldn't even take extra Vitamin C because the required amount is included in the prenatal vitamin.
You might ask about the vitamin Echinacea (sp?)- pronounced "ache-in-ay-sha". It's a natural immune boosting supplement, but I have no idea if it's safe to take during pregnancy. Whenever we travel up to Oregon I start taking this a week or two beforehand just to avoid getting sick & it usually works.
I would also suggest having you & your child checked for allergies, just in case.
Good luck & get as much rest as you can too!
We found a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement at the Whole Foods store that has helped us a lot with colds. I would definitely recommend you ask your Dr. before taking any other supplements or use any cold remedies, since you are pregnant.
As others have already said, getting more colds is natural when your child is in daycare, simply because you have increased the possibility of exposure, and it takes a while for the immunity to build up.
I love Emergen-C! You can get it just about anywhere now; I buy the big value pack from Sams Club. It is a powder mix you put in water twice a day. It has 1,000mg of Vitamin C, a ton of minerals, and Vitamin B for a little energy boost. I would definitely check with your doctor to see if it is ok to take pregnant and for your 12 month old. I am a teacher and seem to get sick every year from all the little germies my students bring to school. I have not gotten even a sniffle since I started taking Emergen-C last year.
Good luck!
Number one advice: Stop eating processed sugar: no soft drinks, candy, or other sweets: this inhibits your immune function. Number two would be to eat half a cup of plain yogurt (or plain with a spoonful of berries, you can get frozen berries and defrost just enough for a couple days at a time.) Studies show that people who eat half a cup of yogurt daily get something like a third of the colds as everybody else, and it's because real yogurt (with live cultures) helps pack the intestine with the bacteria it needs to support immune function. I would highly recommend Strauss brand, it's also local to Northern California and they treat their cows great, and healthy happy cows make excellent milk. You can buy it at the Petaluma Market, Whole Foods, and The Good Earth in Fairfax. Maybe one day Raley's will carry it if they don't already. PS: Echinacea isn't something you want to take all the time. You should only take it when you feel something coming on, and it SHOULD NOT be used during pregnancy at all. It stimulates the uterus, possibly resulting in miscarriage.
This is what works for us: wiping down the door handles and light switches with the Clorox wipes and washing hands often. For my preschooler, this involves washing her hands as soon as she gets home. For me, this might sound a little weird: nasal/sinus rinses. The idea has been around for a very long time (originally called a Nedi pot). I use a squeeze bottle and do it in the shower every morning when my kids have a cold. It has helped me avoid some colds altogether and shorten others considerably. I have to say, the first ten or so times I did it, I thought "this is crazy". But you get used to it. You can get it at most pharmacies and drug stores. I think mine is called "Neill Med Sinus Rinse".
As everyone has mentioned, it does get better as they get older.
Wash your hands often, if you think their clean, wash them again. Don't touch your face with your hands. Wipe down all surfaces in your household. Wash the baby's hands right when you get home. I make my kids go to the sink when they get home to wash their grimy hands. One more thing, Wash your hands!!! :-)