Could it be the nursery's fault

[Cannyapper]

My 18 month old has been in nursery since September. It is not an exaggeration to say that every time she goes in she gets ill. Every time. HFM x2, tonsillitis, colds, viruses etc etc. I have got ill each time too and have ended up having so much time off work. Family are suggesting that she is getting too ill (one not ill week since September) and questioning whether it's the hygiene of the nursery. Do you think this sounds like too much illness? Would be so grateful for your feedback. Feeling exhausted and fed up.

With the flu season bang on, it sounds normal. My DD was home 2 weeks, went back 3 days the first winter. We called it the nursery plague
It was rough, but now come year 2, she has been ill once since September (and kind you if Feb now).

DD got everything, all the time, for about a year and a half at nursery. The HV was surprised at him much she got sick (i mentioned it) given that she was breastfeeding still and said to ask the GP but I didn't get to it and then it stopped.

Some kids just get it worse I guess.

This is completely normal, this has been the worst winter I've ever known for bugs and germs in the 17 years I've worked in nurseries, everyone is getting one thing after another because it's the first winter in 3 years we haven't been in some kind of lockdown/social distancing which has meant a big germ explosion. Especially for the children who might not have interacted with many children before anyway. It's totally normally and if I can reassure you a bit, most nurseries spend a lot of their time deep cleaning and milton-ing toys, even more so during an outbreak of something. Nobody wants to get sick coz it impacts our own families and life too!

It is normal. Unfortunately parents will send their children in to nursery knowing that they’re poorly and then illnesses inevitably spread.

My LO only got ill a handful of times at nursery, she’s now in reception and I can’t believe how much she’s been sick, weeks and weeks off. I’m told by her teacher that this winter has been particularly bad, so many kids and teachers off sick, probably due to our immunity being lower after the lockdowns. I barely ever get ill and between October and now have had more illness than the total of the last 10 years.

The best hygiene in the world can't stop the children breathing over, sneezing over, hugging or licking each other, I'm afraid.

It sounds extreme to me but i think I’ve been quite lucky that my little girl doesn’t get sick very often. From what everyone else says it is normal.

Thanks so much everyone. I appreciate the feedback. Wondering if it's because she's a thumbsucker! Just shoving the germs directly down her throat basically....!!!! Thanks again.

Totally normal. Both my kids caught everything in nursery, and seemed to be constantly off with one bug or other. By the time they started school, their immune systems must have become more robust and they’ve only been ill once each since!

Absolutely normal. It does settle down. You could maybe ask them to make sure they are being strict with their diarrhoea policy

It’s normal, she will build up her immune system. You will be thankful when she starts school and the kids who have not been exposed to germs start getting ill and yours will be fine. It’s hard work at the moment but It will pass soon.

It is absolutely not the fault of the nursery! Children of that age pick up all kinds of germs and infections which is so important for their immune system later on. In a few months time your child will have built up some immunity and will get fewer infections. Please don't worry, all this is normal.

My DS got everything at nursery and he was only going two days a week. I think he ended going about 75% of the time that we paid for.
But when he started school though he only had 1.5 days off total the first three years.

But it's pretty much the same premise surely? A group of little kids playing together, touching and sharing toys and surfaces and touching each other and inevitably swapping their germs. Call the group of kids what you want, playgroup, nursery. Same same.

Completely normal, kids at this age will get 12-15 viral colds a year, they each can last a few weeks, so often are just getting over one and catch another, especially if at nursery. They spend most of the winter months especially with some sort or other of rash / cough / snotty nose. It does get better as they get older, and it’s good for the immune system. Frustrating though !

It sounds a lot but maybe depends on the child. I don't think I would've been impressed if my son got that ill at nursery and he certainly didn't need to be off more than a couple of times each year. Even now at primary school he hasn't been off sick this year but has had a couple of colds.

Normal - I have to say though..... and I'm certainly not suggesting people send their child to nursery as much as I do (I have no choice due to work) my child goes 4 full days a week, 7:30-6pm and she has rapidly built up quite a good immune system 🤣 she still gets colds but they appear one day and are gone within a couple of days xxx

^^Exactly this. Having had three kids go through nursery, I can confirm it is not possible to overstate how revolting toddlers and pre-schoolers are. Full NBC suit required. ☣️😷🦠