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!

Keep them at home when they're at the worst, but often it's just a lingering snotty nose and cough after the infectious period is over and that lasts until the next illness comes round!

Mine goes to nursery/softplay etc unless she is feeling unwell or has a temp or D&V or else she would never leave the house. I don't feel guilty as I know it's what all the other parents at nursery are doing too.

Streaming nose and thick green gunk plastered on face no. A runny nose that just needs wiped regularly, fine. You’d never go anywhere over winter otherwise!

If you do take him to soft play with a cold you’ll end up constantly chasing him around the apparatus with a tissue. There are easier places to be when he needs a nose wipe!

Doctors wont investigate. Due to the time of year he suffers most they say its just normal toddler colds.

Yes take him, sounds like he needs to improve his immune system

Dustmite allergy? Sinuses aggravated by central heating? It’s unlikely it’s constant colds that whole time.

Heating isn't on yet so can't imagine its a central heating issue. But no idea on anything else as GP says its normal for toddlers to have constant colds during winter. Can't afford to take him anywhere private.

Doesn't seem to bother him except maybe once or twice in the winter when he gets a bad one. His cough we shouldn't have as much issue with this year as we got his inhaler as soon as he turned 2!

👋🏼36 years in childcare here 👋🏼

Absolutely — get them out in the fresh air as much as you can.
If a child just has a cold but is otherwise happy, energetic and feeling well in themselves, there’s usually no reason for them to be stuck indoors!!!
Children are exposed to all sorts of everyday coughs, colds, bugs and germs wherever they go. Parks, playgroups, soft play, nursery and school at everyday life and can’t keep them wrapped up at home until every sniffle has disappeared.
If they have the energy and feel well enough, let them carry on enjoying their normal activities. Fresh air, exercise and a bit of normality can do wonders for everyone’s mood too.
Obviously, if they’re genuinely unwell, have a fever, are lethargic or have something infectious that requires them to stay away from others, that’s different. But a runny nose and a bit of a cold? Coat on and off you go! 😊

Piriton is available over the counter from age 1, I would buy some and see if it makes a difference. If it does I would badger the GP with evidence!

Yeah we tried piriton last year and made no difference to him unfortunately.

It wouldn't be an issue at all for me, we always saw dcs with colds at our toddler groups, soft play and parks. Schools and nurseries have rules about leaving 48 hours after vomiting or staying home wih a fever, and I think it's sensible to stick to those guidelines. Going to parks and play areas is just as important for a child's development as going to nursery or school so they shouldn't miss out just because they have a mild cold.

try supplementing vitamin d, vitamin c and zinc. also if he’s had anything that would adversely affect his gut health then he may benefit from a probiotic.

I wondered about rhinitis too- no expert but I know someone whose kid had it.

But taking a snotty nosed child out to soft play is fine. They're germ factories and we live in a damp climate. People don't have the right not to be around others with running noses in the winter.

If I’d send them to nursery and they’re well in themselves and not whingy I do whatever. I can’t stay in the house all winter and live in Scotland so can’t rely on being outside either. Snotty kids everywhere this time of year!

Yes, I absolutely hated it. Full of screaming, snotty nosed children, and parents letting their children cause havoc!!

Thats a shame. We haven't come across any issues yet but I do tend to go during the week and its a small pub soft play.

Yes, it was during the week. I just don’t think they are my sort of places!!

If it's just a bit of a cold (bit of a cough, runny nose etc) then crack on.

If he has a temp as well, or sore throat or nose running like a tap then I'd keep him away.

So many small children are permanent snot monsters in winter, the world would grind to a halt if you had to keep them away.

He might be picking this up from nursery. Have you had him checked at the drs.

Yeah he is picking them up from nursery. Drs just say its a normal part of being a toddler.

Sometimes letting kids with bugs relax at home is best. But depends how bad. Exercise in the fresh air can be lovely with a mild cold, and parks are often very quiet these days.

I think a lot has changed in people's perspectives since covid. My eldest was 9 months when COVID hit and no-one would avoid soft play with a cold. Temperature yes but if snotty and well in self id still go.
The reality is they won't be allowed to stay off school every time they get a cold, and most adults wouldn't call in sick every time they're snotty so it's not setting up for the real world, just my opinion :)

Is he constantly unwell i.e. fever, actively out of sorts, or is a lot of this lingering cough and snotty nose simply post-viral? If so, and is the case with my children I’d be out and about, or you’d be stuck home constantly!

The “ cold “ for that many months a year must be allergies surely ?
I myself am unlucky in that respect because I’m allergic to so many pollens but also to dust mite , leaf mould , moulds , certain insects , cats , certain fragrances and so on .

I have no idea. I just class it as a long cold as once he gets his first cold usually in September thats him with a constant runny nose and cough all winter.