Toddlers and cold season

Bltbear82 · December 2015

I know this isn't really so related to pregnancy, but I'm hoping some toddler moms (or any moms really) can weigh in - how often do your kids get colds or some variation? I'm trying to figure out when it is excessive.

Long story short, DS is in an early 2s preschool program 3 days a week. School started mid-September and he's had 4 colds/bronchitis since then. It seems excessive to me considering he didn't get 4 colds last year total. I know being in school exposes kids to more germs, but we took classes 3 days a week starting at 6 months so it's not like he's suddenly exposed. I feel like this particular school doesn't do a great job of sanitizing. For example, when I went to wash his hands in the kids bathroom I found the soap bottle had been watered down to extend the soap. Is this normal and I'm over reacting (entirely possible)?

I'm asking primarily because his last illness sent us to the hospital and now we have to use a nebulizer every 3-4 hours when his breathing is labored. Which means no one will be sleeping here for the next few days. So instead of a normal cold we now have to be super aware of his breathing whenever he gets a little bit sick.

Thanks in advance!

Eta: clarity

JessicaB0627 · December 2015

The soap thing would concern me. I think daycares/schools have pretty strict regulations on sanitizing and hand washing and I don't see how watering the soap down could be allowed. I would definitely say something!

DD's been sick once in the last 6 months with strep throat. That's about as often as she tends to get sick. My friend has a son that I think permanently has a cold. The poor kid always has a cough/runny nose and a hard time breathing! Poor kid.

kbrands7 · December 2015

I agree that the watered down soap is worrisome. It is generally the case that back-to-school germs are awful, but 4 separate illnesses in that span of time seems like a lot. DS has had a cold or stomach virus once about every 6 months-- honestly, I get sick more often than he does. I believe I remember our pediatrician saying something along the lines of 8 colds or illnesses per year is still within normal range when they're little. I hope your LO gets better soon!

TunieBee · December 2015

It is normal for a young child in group care to have between 8-10 colds a year (lasting 1-3 weeks). This means it is "normal" for them to be sick half the year essentially. Your son may have reactive airways so his viral infections are accompanied by respiratory complications. Hopefully he grows out of that part.

Bltbear82 · December 2015

Thanks everyone! I'm going to be the crazy mom monitoring the soap bottles but I don't care, it's worth it if it means DS isn't sick as often.

Bluejay3030 · December 2015

Cold season is the worst!!! My daughter doesn't go to daycare regularly, but when she does she comes home sick half the time

. She's had two colds since September, but to be fair, one of them was from some sick friends who visited and not a daycare.

I'm sorry your kiddo has had such a tough go and needs to use a nebulizer right now. It's so hard to see your child that sick

. I hope he's back to normal soon for all of your sakes!

zekesmommy611 · December 2015

I feel your pain! DS goes to daycare three days a week and it seems he is sick at least once a month with some type of cough or runny nose. I know it's hard to prevent the spread of germs especially when they're little and I'm definitely guilty of sending DS to daycare when he is sick. His pedi has told me over and over that he will eventually build his immune system so hopefully the colds should become less.
DS has had a nebulizer since he's been 3 months for being sooo raspy. It does help but it's a pain to do ever 3-4 hours!
I would probably address the daycare and see if there's anything that could be done differently as well as addressing the soap issue!

mmemartinez · December 2015

When we switched from home daycare to a daycare school at 1.5 years the colds increased. I remember using a lot of sick days that year. Now he has been at a center for 2 years and is older and is rarely sick. Don't want to jinx it but DH just got over a bad cold, and I have it now, but DS seems just fine.

Bltbear82 · December 2015

@zekesmommy611 oh no! I'm sorry to hear your LO has needed one since he was so little. Is it every day or just when he's sick? It's so stressful, I can't imagine how that worked on top of all of the newborn stuff too!

We are going to the doctor tomorrow since this is the first time he's been sick after we started the nebulizer. Last time he needed a steroid too, so hoping the nebulizer and rest help him feel better soon.

I really appreciate the feedback. It makes me feel better to be reassured. While it is kind of normal, 4 times already seems like a lot since we still have most of winter to get through here. I want to figure out how to keep him from suffering continuously all season.

araecasey · December 2015

This cold season my daughter has had one per month each lasting 2 or 3 weeks with a lingering cough, it's been brutal. I suspect it has to do with my ever dwindling milk supply (boo) coupled with lots more exposure via other children since I've started watching several children out of my home.

LovingLife! · December 2015

Our whole family has had a nasty cold for about 2 months now. It's horrid! My kindergartner gets it, passes it to preschooler, and they all pick it up and share at school and church. It's normal but still doesn't make it any easier. I would definitely bring up the watered-down soap...our preschool has everyone wash their hands right as they walk in.

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