To take toddler with constant colds to park/softplay?

[ThePoisedOpalBird]

Just interested in other opinions as we are at the time of year where my toddler has a constant cold until April!

Is it okay to take him places like the park, soft play etc when he has a cold?

He pretty much has constant snot, cough and sneezing from September-April. Last winter I was pregnant so we didn't go out a lot. Now he is a very energetic 2.5 year old who needs to be doing stuff to stay happy.

I just wanted to check it is acceptable to take him out places when he has a cold? I don't have friends to ask what they do with their kids.

So any input on if it is socially acceptable to go park, softplay etc with a snotty, sneezy, coughy toddler please!

Maybe park, but not softplay

Park and anything else outdoor yes, soft play and toddler groups no.

I think the park is okay but not the sofyplay. Outside and fresh air is fine iny opinion.

Not soft play. Park is fine.

I always took the view if nursery would take them they were fine to go out, although I tried to avoid soft play anyway as someone always got sick after even if they weren’t before ( I realise everyone thinking the same way may be why).

Thanks everyone. Not ideal when it gets cold with the baby as well but helpful to know so we don't get judged.

A boring 6 months ahead for my toddler 🤣 luckily he has nursery to keep him entertained a few days a week.

Anything outdoors please.

Are you sure it's colds and not allergies?

I have one of these children and definitely take him to soft play, and he goes to nursery with no issues too.
Different if he is acutely unwell but he has chronic rhinitis in the winter months, there's no way we would just manage between the house and the park for 6 months of the year.

I mean not sure what allergies would be triggered over the winter? Hes fine in the summer just as soon as cold season kicks in its 1 after the other.

Mine are too old for it now but I would have taken them to soft play with a mild cold. Not if they were super ill. Toddlers have colds ALL THE TIME and you'd never go anywhere or do anything if you stayed in. Half the other toddlers in soft play will have colds too.

Thats interesting regarding chronic rhinititis. What would cause that in the winter? I assumed it would just be a summer issue for something like that.

Out and about in the fresh air including the park, definitely fine but I’d avoid soft play when he’s full of cold. Not pleasant for anyone including him if he catches something else on top of a stinking cold (and let’s face it soft play is full of bugs).

That was kinda my thinking. If we can only go to the park for the whole of winter hes going to get very grumpy. His colds don't affect his energy levels as he is so used to them now 🙈

I'm the same as PP - if they're well enough for school/nursery then we still take them out to places (within reason - if they were feeling really rubbish or we thought they'd benefit from a day at home we wouldn't) - the only exception is swimming as I don't think they'd enjoy that when feeling under the weather

If he's well enough for nursery then I'd continue as normal with parks, soft plays, groups etc.

Softplay is a germ factory anyway, just go anywhere within reason. Teach to blow nose into tissue/wipe and keep tissues with them. Hand wash before and after going out
Don't forget swimming is great fun during winter too, museums, toddler groups, cinema

Try kids and you with sambucol/elderberry liquid or a vir c and D vitamin during the winter months
Upping garlic and ginger intake in food, honey etc

Please look at sinuses, and allergies. Might be that rather than a cold

Park yes, soft play and indoor groups and parties no.
Don’t be that mum!

Its very hard to not be that mum when its a constant 6 months of colds. It does make it hard to not just carry on as normal when your child is completely fine in themselves.

I have been asking doctors to look into allergies since last winter as it was a long 6 months and he ended up needing an inhaler for his cough.

They claim its 'normal' for toddlers to have constant colds.

I’m surprised to see so many people saying no soft play. All I ever see at soft play in the winter is snotty children!

My personal view on colds is if the child has no temperature then it’s fair enough to go anywhere as normal. My children rarely get colds so I’ve no real skin in the game.

I totally get it but it’s not about you or your child. Have some consideration for others.

Could you create your indoor soft play with cushions? Watch a movie together? Play games? Feed the ducks? The weather has been great if a bit chilly. Wrap up and collect conkers then make little figurines out of them.

I’ve been where you are. It will pass.
is your little one on VitD spray? It would help support his immune system.

It's a cold.

All schools tell children they need to be in school if they have a cold, and it's not an excuse to stay at home.

Nurseries also allow children in with a cold.

Toddlers are always snotty because they are building an immune system. The more colds they get the better.

So absolutely take them where you want, as long as they're not vomiting or have diarrhoea!

Also, kids can stay snotty for a couple of weeks after getting a cold, and their level of contagiousness are very low at that point.

Wow lucky you! I wish but he has suffered with colds ever since he started nursery at 1. Winter is constant snot 🙈

Which I appreciate but we aren't talking a once a month or once every 2 months cold. This is from September - April constant colds one after the other.

At the moment the weather is mild but that isn't going to be the case for the whole of winter.

Seems to be a very 50/50 split on here on opinions so I think I will just have to use my judgement on a day 2 day basis.