Keep older sib in Day Care when twins (likely premies) will come home? (repost in multiples)

karebearmccroar · October 2012

Hi all,

I mostly lurk and get tons of great info on here, thanks for letting me get more educated about premies. I lurk because I am 32 weeks pregnant with twins- I've been on bed rest since 21 weeks for PTL, had lots of scares and been in and out of the hospital on mag, etc. We are amazed and grateful to have made it this far!

My OB and MFM still think I won't make it That much further- dilated 1 cm, shortened cervix, 6-8 cx an hour even on 20 mg nifedipine every 4 hours right now. So I really wanted to ask you about Day Care for my son.

Since being on bed rest, my 18-mo old son goes to day care 2 days/week (nanny other days). It helps him get out of the house and socialize. For a week now, he has had what they think is hand foot and mouth and/or roseola based on symptoms. He was so sick with fever, now he still has a body rash and blisters inside and outside of his mouth, most of all he is so sick and so MISERABLE. He got the virus from a boy at day care who was fine last Fri and showed symptoms on Sat.

Meanwhile, I can't imagine if the twins were here already. It would be so dangerous for them to be exposed or even get a fever, so not good. I don't know how I would protect them, since there is so much drool and his little hands are everywhere putting everything in his mouth since it hurts. We try but there is no way to keep up with the hand sanitizing/washing, which is fine when just adults are around him but it would be downright scary for the twins.

I had originally planned to keep DS in day care(small in home, only 6 kids) 2 days/week when the twins arrive, to help him get out of the house to play and socialize and to help us have time with the twins. But now I have been learning so much about things like RSV and quarantine as much as possible, lowered immune systems in premies, etc. I don't want them getting exposed to illnesses through him. But I know it will be hard on him to be isolated from friends, the park, day care and be stuck in the house all day where Mommy will have her hands full. But if it is better for the babies we would have to do that.

What would you do? Should we pull him out of day care when the twins arrive? If yes, for a month or two, or all winter till Spring? What do you think?

Thanks in advance, sorry so long and I appreciate anyone who even read this far- I just don't even know what to do!

mrsemily08 · October 2012

My gut reaction is to keep him in DC to keep some normalcy/routine for him, and a little bit of a break for you. you're pretty far along, so that is good for the babies. That said, this is probably a good question for your pedi after the twins are born, since its hard to predict now how their lungs etc will be.

jcsntms06 · October 2012

I keep my oldest daughter in daycare when my youngest was in the NICU and first came home.This was also at the end of RSV season (March). Both kids were fine for the first 5 months and then just this past month, both of them have come down with the random colds that are going around. My youngest daughter is also in daycare with her sister. I had to go back to work, so I had no choice (it's an in-home provider with only 8 kids). I think it's a good idea to keep your oldest in DC to keep me socialized. Like PP I would ask your pedi.

Praying that you can hold off a few more weeks. Please keep us posted.

urbanflowerpot · October 2012

First, welcome to the board. I'm sorry it looks like you'll be joining us but you're doing a great job keeping them in; every day counts.

What would I do? I would wait until they are born to make a decision. If they come early they'll definitely be doing NICU time in which case DC will be extremely helpful for you plus as an adult you can keep yourself healthier by washing hands and face a lot (can't visit if you're sick).

When I brought them home I'd more than likely pull him out (if it were me). I worked in DC/early ed for over 10 years and as a SAHM now (of an 18 mo old) DC isn't "necessary" for that age. I take him to the park and he hangs with other kids. It's extremely germy - small home or not. But that's what *I* would do DS was born when his lungs weren't quite developed and had A/B issues, on a monitor, and gets chronic bronchitis.

Good luck!

sucrets4 · October 2012

I hope you can stay pregnant as long as possible!

DD was born at 33w5d and we didn't have any restrictions about staying in or RSV or anything. I would think that since you're getting really close to the point where the lungs are developed (and I'm assuming you already got the steroid shots) that the twins would be okay. Unfortunately, I know plenty of FT babies who had RSV, so it's not like being FT makes you immune from it.

Honestly, having to deal with twins and a toddler, I would probably send DS to day care since you're going to have your hands full with 2!

gringa78 · October 2012

I would keep him in day care. Keeping him at home won't keep him from getting sick...he can pick up a virus anywhere. Firstly, keeping him in day care will keep his schedule normal when all the change happens once the babies arrive and secondly, it will help you retain some sanity because your life is going to be a whirlwind once the babies are home or in the NICU. All you can do is your best at home with the newborns... tried to keep DD away from them and that lasted about 5 minutes (another reason to have him in day care...he won't be touching/sneezing on them all day).

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Keep older sib in Day Care when twins (likely premies) will come home? (repost in multiples)

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