Toddler illnesses

[tinkerbell7775]

I have 16 month old twins that were born at 27 weeks. They are both doing brilliant and developing as expected for their corrected age.

However, over the last few months they seem to have had one bug/virus after another. Is this normal for toddlers in general or are premmies more susceptible to bugs etc.

They started nursery 3 months ago and friends have said they'll catch stuff there, but they seem to be more ill than well at the moment.

Would welcome others thoughts and experiences as I don't have any other children to compare.

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Mines only 1, so no direct experience but I was told they do get ill more eàsily, something to do with them getting immunity in the last month of pregnancy. But then I hear of nursery being the cause of lots of bugs going round etc, so could be a bit of both!

[tinkerbell7775]

Thanks for your response abbey road, yeah it's probably just a combination of stuff. Teething added into the mix as well. ??

[catslife]

I think this is more related to being at nursery than being premature OP. dd was born at 27 weeks and contempories who weren't prem and started at day nursery had precisely the same problem. She hasn't had more illnesses than other children her age (if anything absence due to illness has been less than average) but as this varies so much from child to child anyway it's really hard to tell.
The number of illnesses will probably decline after a few months.
You could consider changing child-care arrangements to see if this improves but there may not be a suitable alternative.
Keeping them at home probably wouldn't improve things as toddlers still pick up infections at toddler groups anyway - so don't feel guilty about using childcare.
It's not that pleasant now but sometimes it probably means they will develop more resistance to future bugs which will stand them in good stead when they start school.
The only thing I would check is whether the nursery encourages children with good hygiene e.g. handwashing after visiting toilet and before mealtimes as this can help reduce cross infection.

[minipie]

My 34 weeker had back to back bugs the winter she turned 1, and had almost as many the following winter. She wasn't even at nursery but did go to playgroups. I do think she gets more bugs than full term kids but hopefully she will gradually build up immunity. Not much can be done tbh other than good diet and handwashing.

[Picklesauage]

Mine was in nicu after birth, but not Orem. But here's my take on it!

After any child starts school / nursery/ preschool they get every illness under the sun for about a year. It does not appear to matter if they are 1, 2, 3, or more. They just catch everything. It is brutal but actually a great thing as it builds the immune system. By the time they re h school hey will be better equipped to survive it!

On a more helpful note, do try and give them vitamins if at all possible (they do taste vile -Abidec I'm looking at you!)

[user1456259671]

My Dd was born at 23+5, when she was younger I did notice she would catch more bugs and illness then other children. I spoke to her paediatrician who reassured me this was normal. She is now 10 and hasn't caught any bugs or illness in the last couple of years. I hope this reassures you.