My baby got a heat rash at nursery

[Galou]

My baby girl is almost 9 months and today was her first full day at nursery after a 2 weeks settling period.

When I went to pick her up she was red in the face, her hair was greasy with the moisturiser I'd ask the nursery staff to apply on her for her eczema, had dirt trapped between her fingers and in the creases of her neck and arms, food on her face and fingers.... but, most shocking of all, a heat rash at the back of her neck!

My husband says I worry too much and that it's normal that babies and kids get messy and it's part of life, I shouldn't make a fuzz about it.

I'm thinking, we are paying the equivalent of our mortgage for a reputable nursery, they should be able to keep my precious little girl clean and comfortable! Am I being unreasonable?

Also, I always make sure she has lots of different clothes in her bag in case it gets hot or cold or it rains... how come she got a heat rash??? Did they not check if she was hot?

My heart is breaking and I don't seem to be able to separate my anxious mummy feelings from my objective thoughts ... what has been your experience with nurseries? Shall I speak to them? Do I speak to the key person looking after my daughter or do I speak to the management team? I don't want to be that mum but I just can't except that this is how it's going to be....

Sorry but you are being unreasonable.

They get filthy. Really, really filthy. And they never seem to wipe snotty noses. And rarely change clothes unless there’s shit.

These seem to be universal, I’m afraid. I now wash his shoes under the tap regularly.

I think food and dirt is pretty typical for a child of that age! Just give her a nice cool bath at home.

I always get heat rash and so does my DS when it's hot like today.

And ezcema cream does make you a bit greasy?!

Sorry I think YABU

I wouldn't be happy about this either OP. Keeping them clean and comfortable is a minimum expectation.

Its normal for kids to get dirty at daycare. Just wash her when you get home. Any chance the moisturiser made her sticky and hot

Dirty is normal. I expect mine to usually come home in the clothes they were sent in, so try to anticipate the weather as much as possible. For example my baby gets hot easily so I tend to send a jumper in his bag rather than on him unless it's really cold.

Nursery is not a sterile environment. Kids are going to get dirty. They should be exploring their environment and a huge variety of activities/experiences and interacting with other young children.
Sounds like the eczema cream caused some extra dirt,dust etc to get stuck in the creases of her skin.
The cream combined with the high temperatures more than likely caused the heat rash. It's very common in young children during a heat wave.

I wouldn’t be happy either, this was not my experience of nursery. There would be times when mine came home with clothes covered in paint but that was it.
“dirt trapped between her fingers and in the creases of her neck”-That’s pretty bad in my opinion.

The heat rash would be fairly common I’d have though. Especially if you live anywhere near me, it’s been roasting.
Was she wearing more clothes than she should have been?
The eczema cream will be greasy won’t it? They applied it as you asked??
I’d be a bit tucked out if they’d not cleaned her face but I believe kids get grubby in nursery.
Overall I do think you’re overreacting.

I generally expect mine to come home filthy and so never send him in smart clothes. Not only that, I think a messy baby is probably a baby that’s had fun.

Also babies get heat rash supremely easily.

You’re being so, so precious, which is understandable when you leave them for the first time, but you’ll need to work on your anxiety on that. It won’t help you.

I wouldn’t be concerned about this, I’d look at the interaction, food and staff.
Dirty fingers and a heat rash, I think it’s harder because she’s only started, I’d give it more time.

Also, they’re looking after a room full of everyone’s ‘precious girls’ and boys. They have a lot of children to tend to, each with different requirements. They’ve done what you asked and applied her cream, which is notoriously oily and so probably attracted the plentiful dirt on the floor. It probably also triggered her heat rash a little bit, it’s been very warm where I am.

If she’s settled well and is happy, then you probably have nothing to worry about.

Mine come out grubby but happy, they usually go in the bath as soon as they get home.

I'd expect them to wash her face of food.

But other than that it sounds like usual grubby nursery say of paint/mud/other kids, on top of the sweaty dirt from heat and creams etc.

As for the heat rash, well, what did you send her in? And also, is it a one off?

I always wash babies hands and faces after they’ve eaten. That’s just basic caregiving. Food Dirt on faces feels awful when it dries.

But going home filthy? Sign of a good day in my opinion!

Keep an eye on it. Don’t be afraid to have a chat about what you’d like done differently.

I always wash babies hands and faces after they’ve eaten. That’s just basic caregiving.

Completely agree. Seems like the bare minimum to me.

Unfortunately a lot of nurseries neglect children that way. Yes it is neglect. They wouldn't leave their own kids with snot on their nose but wouldn't wipe anyone else's kid.

Dirt in her fingers is to be expected. She’s been exploring.

It was hot today - heat rash isn’t unexpected and the cream would have made dirt stick.

Was she happy and fed?

Heat rash isn't particularly shocking is it? In the kindest possible way, you're being very PFB.

I have the opposite problem. Nursery change him after lunch every day (because he always covers himself in food). A bit of food on his clothes won't kill him and he doesn't have enough clothes for two outfits every day 😂

Hi OP. Although I agree with the PP’s that they do get mucky, she’s your baby. If it makes you uncomfortable, have a word with them. Kids love nursery. It’s messy and fun, and they have a blast. It’s us parents that have to be comfortable that they are being looked after, so if you want her hands washed, and heat rash monitored, tell them. It’s your prerogative to do this irrespective of who is caring for your dc.

A happy child is a dirty child. That's probably just mine though, but it wouldn't worry me. This is why they didn't wear their best clothes to nursery.
I would ask about the heat rash though, overheating in babies can be dangerous.

My DD comes home looking like she’s been dragged through a hedge backwards covered in food and dirt and generally looking homeless.. but she also comes home beaming and happy.

Completely normal, mines been going since 9 months and she’s 20 months now; we’ve signed a good few accident forms and had a few “we just need to let you know Mabel bumped her head today” calls.

She’s also come home with some awful gets a new viruses.. but it’s all a part of being a toddler, building their immune system and letting them explore what the works has to offer.

You’re over reacting; but you’re also a mother on day two of sending your 9 month old off to nursery.. so you’re not being unreasonable to ask if you’re being unreasonable.

Yabu. I think a dirty baby is a sign that they've had a super fun day! It was hot today so that's just what sometimes happens. Was she wearing too many layers? I think you could mention the heat rash at drop off tomorrow but the rest is just what happens at nurseries. I bet she had a cracker of a day!

Nursery is messy.

The amount of times mine come home, get thrown in the bath and the water is brown.

You are being v.unreasonable