Is this just par for the course at day care...

NicoleWI

or could/should it be avoided?

Part 1: Yesterday when I picked up our daughter at day care they had her in a jumpy thingy, but since she's not very tall, the cloth-covered front of the seat part was right in front of her face and she was chewing on it. I was pretty grossed out, since that's not something they can clean. Is this just stuff that can't be avoided at day care, or should I say something to the teacher? Plus, there's a sign that they now have a kid out with hand-foot-mouth disease!

Part 2: They have now put her in the jumpy thing without checking and I was surprised...it's a little before I probably would have done it. A few weeks ago, I also found out that they were putting her in the Bumpo at day care. Ironically, I had just tried the Bumpo at home the day before but she cried, so I figured she needed more time to build up strength. This isn't a huge deal and I don't expect them to check in with me all the time, but is this normal?

Thanks.

SBMBride406

The cloth seat on the jumperoo can be cleaned (its removable and machine washable) but why is she in there if she can't see over the top? That seems weird. Does she have good head control yet? We have one at home and DS always chews on it...I'm not sure that can be avoided.

My daycare never checked with me before they try out a new toy, exersaucer, etc. That wouldn't bother me. If you have preferences, you should make them known.

butterball123

Are you sure they don't wash the seat for the jumpy thing?  Our daycare washes it once a week.  And I know it's a little gross, but once she's moving around, she'll probably be putting a lot grosser things in her mouth that other kids have chewed on.  Our daycare has a basket of toys they wash once a day, but I'm sure there have been times where DS has put something in his mouth that another child had put in theirs earlier in the day.

I think 3 months is kind of early for the jumpy thing because I think we waited until DS was able to sit up by himself before he went in our.  Otherwise he was just in the bouncer or laying on the floor with a boppy (same at daycare too). DS never really cared for the bumbo either, but if I remember correctly, aren't they used for helping infants sit up who aren't quite able to do so on their own?

If you are uncomfortable with that they are doing, then I would just talk to them about it.  And about the sign, it's a policy (and I think a state one at that) that they are required to place a sign on the door if someone in the room has been sick.  It stinks, but it is a nice little warning for you to keep an eye out for DC and to watch for signs.

joelle&joseph

Ditto PPs, the jumpy covers are usually washed at least once a week.  I know at the DC DS used to go to they washed it everyday because I would get there early and the girl would be putting it back on every morning.  But I don't think they should be putting her in it until she is at least 5-6 months old.  There was a big sign at the DC that said not to put children under 6 months in them.  I would also worry that they were putting her in the bumbo that soon too.  I would ask them to check with you first.  There is nothing wrong with that.

Temp159135562506975

we put Ds in a bumbo and a jumperoo at 3months... he loved both - i see no problem with it- and would NEVER expect them to ask me before trying out a new toy with my child... that is a little crazy to expect IMO (i used to be a teacher and worked in daycare during college).

as for the chewing on - you just have to get used to it- every toy in there gets put in mouths... it's what babies do - you can't avoid germs... as long a they have a regular cleaning schedule for things- that's the best you can do.

auburnbride2be

If you don't want her in certain things yet, I'd just tell them. I know that I didn't want DD in the swing our bouncy when she started because we were trying to correct a flat spot on her head and they had no problem keeping her occupied in other ways for me.

WrkgMomLA

I'd be very stern with them.  If there's a kid with HFM Disease, take it VERY seriously.  While it's not a life-threatening illness, it's absolutely MISERABLE for you and your LO.  DS had it (he doesn't go to day care - my Mom keeps him - don't know how he got it), and we were all miserable for 2 WEEKS!  I'd be very serious in telling the caregivers that you don't want DD in/on any toys that cannot be fully sanitized at the end of a child's use of them.  Good luck!!

SarahMay77

My DD has been a master drooler for 3 months, so she's always wearing a bib.  She's still a little small for the jumperoo, but her bib covers the cloth part.  She ends up chewing on that instead.

They never ask me about moving her to new toys.  The ony "rule" that they have is the babies must be 5 months old to sit in the big 6-person stroller.

MAprincess

It's not reasonable to expect DC to ask about every toy for every child- they'd be on the phone all day!  But I agree with pp- if there is something you DON'T want her in, then you need to express that to them so they know.  They aren't going to know otherwise.

Also, they definitely wash all of the fabric seats, etc.

My DS had HFM disease- it only lasted three days for him and only one day was really bad.  He had a rash for over a week, but he wasn't bothered by it.  I am sure once the case was identified, the child left day care and everything was sanitized-- at least that is what they do at our DC.

el25

Unfortunately there are many things that happen at daycare are unfortunately par for the course.  I work across the street from my daycare so I pop in everyday to see my daughter.  The kids all chew on the same toys.  As soon as a teacher sees this, they pull the toy and put it in the dirty bin, but it still happens.  Also, our little ones think it is cute to pull pacifiers out of other babies mouths and suck on them, when teachers aren't looking.  Of course they do everything in their power to not let it happen, but it happens anyway. These are the few drawbacks of daycare.  I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.