Is it normal for my 30MO to be constantly ill?

[monstertufts]

DD (30 months) attends playgroup twice a week, which she loves. But she comes home with one cold after another, which are then passed to DS (8 months). A recipe for grumpy children and sleepless nights all round.

Is this normal, and is there anything I can do about it? We had a two-week break from playgroup over Easter and it was health heaven :D

Both children eat good diets full of home-cooked food with plenty of fruit and veg. DS is BF and gets a milder version of the colds, I assume because of the antibodies. I've considered expressing for DD but I've read that expressing and storing BM kills the antibodies anyway.

I think some are more prone...my older DD is 7 and rarely got anything at that age...the odd tummy upset...my younger DD is just turned 4 and always seemed to be getting colds, coughs, hand foot and mouth....you name it she got it.

She's a grubby chld generally bless her...always INTO something...patting and touching other kids and being affectionat....and I think her hands on attitude gets her more aquainted with germs! The older one is more stand offish...I could be talking nonsense of course...but I do wonder.

Why don't you express immediately and give it to her right away if she seems to be coming down with something? I mean...they say a dab of BM in the eye sorts out infections...so surely some fresh milk is good for general health?

I FF so forgive me if it's impossible to express on demand...I wouldn't know!

Thanks TheHouseOnTheCorner ... you might just be right about some kids being more prone. DD always seems to enjoy drinking from someone else's cup much more than from her own, so if she's doing that at playgroup, it's no wonder she's picking up bugs :S

I never seem to get much milk out when I express, if I gave it to her right away it would only be a couple of mouthfuls (if that). But I suppose that's better than nothing. As for expressing on demand, it's not really possible (at least not for me) - it's much easier during or right after a feed.

At least our DDs' immune systems are getting a workout - perhaps it will mean their health is better in future years!

My DS was like this, not stop runny nose and colds and general illness until really quite recently (he's now 3.1 and looking back I think it's only been the last 6 months or so that we have been free of the endless illnesses). I have two older DDs who were at two different schools (one at nursery and one at school) and I think that the variety of bugs they bought home just gave him a constant onslaught of bugs. Supposedly it is good for their immune system long term (that's what everyone used to say to me anyway), I expect she will grow out of it soon.

IME it is pretty normal.

I found a huge difference with ds1 when he reached 5 and he has only had one sick day in a year. It was pretty non-stop when he was little and I am not someone who sends them in when they are ill, so he has definitely improved big time!

BM would still do her good, yes. If you can get a bit out and give it to her, every little helps!

Most of us (man, woman and chold) needs vitamin D in this country, but other than that, they have a good diet. If you are reay worried, you could ask the doc or hv if he/she is any good. But it does sound normal, unfortunately