crawling 11m.o. is ill nearly every time after attending toddler groups

[thearty1]

I've been taking my son to sure start baby groups, and a couple of other toddler groups fairly regularly from about 2 months old. He's now 11 months. He's had a lot of colds, and tummy bugs which I have assumed is from mixing with the other children. (I've always kept him at home, and never taken him out while unwell). Since he has started crawling, I've noticed an increase in frequency and severity of the illnesses he's picking up.

Is it OK to allow babies to crawl around the floors in these halls and community centres, where people don't take off their shoes? It seems to be what everyone does, but it seems so wrong to me. I can't hold him off the floor, as he's at the age where he wants to crawl around with the rest of the babies, and the hands (and toys) go into the mouth regularly.

I've had to take him to hospital 3 times since xmas. He currently has a rash over his body, high temp and a really awful sore throat that is so bad we are struggling to get him to drink, and he'll have to go back to hospital again if we've not managed to get any fluids in by morning.

It is upsetting to see him so poorly, and I am wondering if I should keep him at home from now on, and stop taking him out to socialise in these groups?

My mum says 'in her day' they didn't 'socialise' babies, and she said that i didn't mix with others until I was about 3yrs, and she thinks that it is easier to manage illnesses with a 3yr old who can understand and communicate better.

Is anyone else going through a similar thing?

[RedandChecker]

Hello, I'm sorry your DS is feeling so poorly!

It is not common for children to fall ill every time they socialise. Socialising with other children is good for their development IMO.

However, it may be worth talking to your HV and GP. Keep a record of how often he is ill, what the symptoms are and how long it lasts.

We went through something similar with my DS for 3 years, no one seemed to understand how hard it was seeing him so ill so regularly and the doctors would just say viral. After one too many hospital trips we paid for private tests which showed a very comprimised immune system. However I will say he never had tummy bugs or infections which is why we got 'viral' there was never an obvious explanation he always had 40+ temp, sickness, lethargic, swollen lymph nodes. So different to what your DS is showing.

If you are concerned, and you think it is odd, keep a diary and get them to listen to you - mothers instincts and all that.

Sure start centres are usually very clean in my experience but if you are noticing a pattern maybe wash his hands regularly throughout the sessions.

[RedandChecker]

He did suffer many, many rashes though.

[thearty1]

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier ... he did end up going into hospital again, as he was dehydrated. He recovered from this after 10 days. We had 5 days of wellness and I went to a baby bop class...and guess what: 3 days after that and he is really badly sick again.

I will take your advice and ask our GP if we can be referred for some tests to see if there is a anything that is not quite right, or that we should be aware of.

[Slebmum]

I'm afraid mine were ill that often at that age, we used it call it sick club as guaranteed they would just get over something and then get ill again when they had been back to the group. The good news is it does get better as their immune systems build up but I do think that they will get ill at whatever age you do socialise them - whether that's groups or school.

[Boris13]

Please request some blood tests from the Gp to rule everything out x

[teasleromani123]

I took my prem daughter to one play and stay group because the bloody health visitor! she ended up going into hospital for a few days because she got sneezed on by another child she ened up having bronchitis
she could breath properly she wouldn't eat, she was really bad!! the health visitor said "she's ok now though you should take her again she liked it"!!!!! :O I said I rather her be at home all the time, than her get ill with that again!, and She's meant to be a HEALTH visitor!!!
:)

[Sneezecakesmum]

DGS was rarely ill before starting nursery at 3 then it was relentless for about 9 months. We're going through the same thing since starting school in September. He (and all of him immediate family) has been ill non stop!

Baby DGS2 also picked up a virus after going to a creation station affair!

I think it's pretty common but so annoying until they've built up a bit of immunity.

[Sneezecakesmum]

Most viruses are picked up via the hands which touch a contaminated object (toy, surface etc) which then go into the mouth. Almost impossible to stop with little ones. When they have multiple illnesses their resistance drops so they are more prone. Vicious circle. Could you maybe have friends over with well LOs for a while instead of play centres.

[Superworm]

DS was like this. Ill after every social occasion and we were always at the hospital with temps, D&V and for hydration.

He was diagnosed with an immune deficiency at 15 months. Illness is normal but not constant or at the hospital type stuff.