- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Pre-School and Daycare
Don't know what to do...
My DD goes to preschool 3 days a week 3 hrs. a day. She started in this school in the toddler room, just moving to preschool room this Sept. A little back story, at 3 months old she got RSV and Bronchiolitis, needing nebulizer treatments. From then on, whenever she gets the slightest cold she gets this terrible croupy sounding cough and wheezing, etc and needs the nebulizer. Now she uses inhalers since she's old enough for that. She got a cold (started w/fever on and off for few days) 2 weeks ago, on a Sunday. Following Thursday she woke up from nap w/the nasty cough so started inhalers. This past Monday she said her ear hurt so took her to the doctor, she's got an ear infection and was sent for a chest xray because of her cough. Chest xray said "questionable pnemonia". Went today for a follow up and lungs are clear but ear infection still there. She hasn't been to school in the last 2 weeks. Her doctor said health wise it'd be in her best interest to take her out of school for the winter because of her history of wheezing and low immunity. He said socially it wouldn't be great but health wise it would be better, plus I just had a baby who is 11 weeks old so it'd obviously be safer for her if her sister wasn't going to school and bringing all kinds of illness home to her. I see his point and I don't want her to have to keep getting sick and going to the doctor (which she HATES). On the other hand, she likes going to school, likes her "friends", every time we pass the school she says "there's my school" she knows it's part of her routine, etc. I asked her if she wants to start staying home with me and she said "no, I'm not sick anymore, I can go to school". I'm currently a SAHM, my parents are also retired so can help me if I need it with watching the kids so she doesn't NEED to be in school right now. I'm also concerned w/the fact that next year, sending her back is going to be really difficult. I just don't know what to do 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Don't know what to do...
Is it your pedi who is suggesting pulling your DD out of school? Does she see an asthma specialist or pulmonologist? If it is a specialist telling you this I would probably follow the advice. If it's your pedi, I would get a second opinion from a specialist before taking such a drastic step.
Good luck!
My twins are 5! My baby is 3!
DS#2 - Allergic to Cashew, Pistachio, Kiwi
DS#3 - Allergic to Milk, Egg, Peanut, Tree Nuts and Sesame
Honestly......I think your doctor's suggestion is kind of weird. I can't imagine a doctor telling you to keep an otherwise healthy 3 year old out of school.
I get being nervous (both my boys have asthma issues....), but at some point, she is going to have to be able to be in a school setting. I actually think it is better for them to be exposed now rather than in Kinder and beyond when you really don't want her missing school.
You said she is on inhalers. Is she using them consistently? Also, is she on any allergy medications? You might want to try Singulair or some Zyrtec.
I agree with the PP. If her situation is serious enough to pull her out of school it seems like she should be seeing a specialist anyway. Certainly get a second opinion before taking such a drastic step especially since it sounds like you aren't 100% sure or in agreement with the doctor.
I would also talk with the teachers and explain her situation. Maybe they could be extra diligent about having her wash her hands A LOT and keep the room clean and surfaces washed as much as they can.
I think that's REALLY weird advice for a doctor to give. What are you going to do when she's 5 or 6?
I would see a specialist for an opinion or at the very least see another general practice pediatrician. Alot of kids have asthma, RSV, etc. and continue to go to school.
My daughter has a history of asthma with viruses ever since a bad case of RSV almost 2 years ago. Her pediatric pulmonologist warned us that her first winter in school would be difficult in terms of colds/asthma. But he also said that will be true whether her first year is at 3 or 5 or 15 or college, so not to change our lives to accommodate this. As he put it, she's going to go through this at some point, it won't be fun or easy, but it's just what's going to happen.
She started school a month ago and spent this past weekend wheezing after having had a cold. It wasn't fun, but I gave her her inhaler (he prefers inhaler treatments to nebulizer treatments), started her on prednisone, and she got over it. Any kid will be sick a lot their first year of school because they are building immunity that year. I'd keep her in and know it will get better!
Hmmmm... maybe I am in the minority but I would consider pulling her out of school if you don't need the childcare and can compensate with activities at home. Especially if you have a baby too.
My son had a horrible first winter with wheezing/asthma issues that landed us in the hospital a half a dozen times. His last two winters have been better and I am more hopeful for this winter. I do everything in my power to keep him healthy (lots of healthy foods and water, extra sleep, vitamins, tons of handwashing) and that means we sometimes miss out on things in the winter time like storytimes or music class. This winter I will be extra careful because DD is so young and I don't know if she will have the same asthmatic issues.
Do what seems best for YOUR child and YOUR family. And good luck!
www.facebook.com/TryVermontFirst
I love these two beautiful children!
As someone who has taught preschool (3's), 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 6th grade I strongly believe that preschool is hugely important. A solid year before kindergarten is vital. I'm working with 3's right now, and am seeing these kids learn to socialize. I look across the hall at the 4's and the ones that don't know how to sit in circle, use kind, productive words when talking to other kids, and interact with adults other than family are kind of lost and at a big disadvantage. Some days I feel like what we're doing isn't getting these kids anywhere but I have to remember that it's about laying foundations. I'm laying their foundations for next year, which lays their foundations for kindergarten. It's definitely a big deal, imo. However, if your child is going to be like pp's child and in the hospital several times over this I'd definitely skip it and cross your fingers she catches up next year. You can't replace school with activities at home or even in your community, but it's not worth several hospital stays. GL
My oldest is the same- constantly on nebulizers, ear infections (we have had 4 sets of tubes), reactive airway disease, sinus infections, etc. She was ALWAYS sick until she was 4. She was in F/T daycare. I had to work. I also had a ped tell me that it would be better if I stayed at home. I told him I would be happy to do if he paid my bills!
Anyway, the last year or so has been so much better. I agree with the previous post that said it doesn't matter when your child starts school she will have these problems. So, it may just be 2 years from now.
I brought home little micro-premie twins and Callum's had lung problems (probably in part b/c of the ventilator). I understand the concern. Harm brings home everything from school and it gets to Cally. Next year he starts and so we are bracing ourselves but hoping for the best. It really is hard. Throw in that I have a seriously compromised immune system I feel frustrated there isn't more we can do.
With that said for our family we have found pre-school as invaluable. Seriously Harmon has grown so much socially and academically in one of pre-k than I could have ever imagined. For me I would do everything in my power before pulling him.
Also I realize you are concerned about the new baby but something to keep in mind this is a hard time for your older chid. I didn't realize that until after a few months but the older child's world is thrown apart. I wish Harmon had something like pre-k back in those days. He was struggling not being the center of our world anymore. I think for kids in this boat it means a lot to have an outlet where they can be really stimulated. It helps blow off steam so to say.