Nursery illness every 1-2weeks

[blossomhoney2]

Is this normal? Since starting nursery 3 days a week back in august 2024 my child who is now almost 2 has been sick every 1-2 weeks, and everything he brings home I also get. I'm exhausted, when does it end? We've had hand foot and mouth, covid, influenza, many many colds, and now this week some kind of vomitting bug. It's been almost 7 months and it doesn't seem to be ending. And it's incredibly difficult keeping up with work and also looking after him when I'm sick myself. Someone give me some reassurance that this will pass? I'm so tempted to pull him out and find a nanny.

I can only say this is completely normal - since October we've also had COVID, noro, RSV, hand foot and mouth. Plus colds. Better weather will help...

@OtterMummy2024 thanks for your reply, it's just relentless. And also these aren't light colds but proper heavy ones which takes days and days to get over- the body ache type. I'm currently lying on the sofa trying the recover from the latest vomiting bug. LO is ok again thank goodness. I really really hope you're right🤞

I think normal for your little one - as PP says this will start to ease up come April/May time. We found it was more like monthly then til September/October time.

I don't think it's common that youve caught every one though. I'd say on average I catch a third or less of the illnesses the kids bring in. And often I get them more mildly too especially the ones they had as babies. Never caught any of the 'big' childhood illnesses as presume I had them in childhood so have immunity. Also never caught a tummy bug off any of them either, but they've had those very rarely thankfully.

October to March is the worst. My little one was the same in his first year. Still gets ill but no where near as frequently

Chixkenpox is more of a summer virus. Get the vaccine!

We had the same the first winter my now 3 year old was in nursery. Was horrible, really hard to keep up with work as you say.

only thing I can say is it passes - it gets better in summer, and they don’t get as many illnesses the second winter (though still more than I’d like ).

My 19 month old started in September and we have the same list of illnesses, she seems to have RSV every other week on top what ever else she has. My three year old has been loads better this winter so I’m hoping my little one will folllow suit and only one more winter of weekly illnesses to go. Summer will most likely be better.

Thanks for your replies. I don't know why I am also getting so sick every single time- I must have a really bad immune system. Any tips welcome! I hope next winter is better but I honestly cannot imagine it right now.. I also know some kids get sick more than others, my friends kid goes to the same nursery and is the same age but has only been sick twice this winter, I know it's wrong to compare but I can't help feeling like we are having a particularly rough time.

Everyone is different ! My health and immune system improved when my son started sleeping better. Broken sleep is a killer, I was always ill !!

Are you and little one taking vitamin D, and ideally multivitamins?
If they haven't already chickenpox, get the vaccination. You too, if you haven't had it. Can be done at any age from 12 months. Usually £140-160 at private GP, Boots or Superdrug. That's one illness you won't have to suffer through!

My 16month dd started nursery at the end of September and had one new illness a week until Xmas. It was so stressful. Has been a bit better this year, although she has a stomach bug at the moment! I'm a teacher so already exposed to all the illnesses, so haven't been too bad with catching everything. Except the two sickness bugs - they were awful! We also all got threadworms. I paid for the chicken pox vaccine at a local chemist about a month ago. I'm really hoping spring brings less illnesses! We even went to the paediatrician as she didn't gain any weight for 3 months as she was just permanently ill. Hang on in there! My older child is 8 and I don't remember it being this bad, but she started nursery in the spring, and I do think starting nursery in winter is brutal.

It's reassuring to hear your responses. Also.. that's such a good point about chickenpox! Thanks for the tip I will look into it.. desperate to avoid more suffering. I also want to try for a second child but at this point my partner is really put off as he doesn't want to go through the whole miserable experience again. I spoke to the doctor and she told me because of covid all the viruses are circulating more than usual after the lock down. We are all taking vitamin D but I need to go and get more multi vitamins! I really really hope this sick bug was the last for a while. 🤞

With my second (and I think this is fairly normal from what people say) she got several colds earlier on, from nursery - attending brother. That might sound scary, but actually it's easier to manage when you're already on maternity leave so no worries about work, and small babies are actually fairly straightforward to help when they're ill. Milk, cuddles, medicine. None of the emotions that come with ill toddlers!

Reception age and this year we've had suspected corona x2, suspected flu, and Noro. Rough 3 months.

I'm glad you had this experience, but actually when LO was sick at 10 months old it was probably one of the worst nights ever (screamed the whole night, I ended up calling the doctor I was so worried) we had about 15 minutes of sleep! It was a horrible experience. So I think it depends on the child unfortunately. My LO does not take getting sick very well and is super sensitive poor thing.

Every child is different, my eldest got ill a lot less frequently than my younger dd, the elder one breastfed until 2 years old so I’m not sure if this helped. I weaned my younger one at 14 months.
My elder daughter went to a childminder rather than nursery so I’m wondering if this was better being with less children. My now three year old would bring home a virus and recover in a few days where as her younger sister would end up in hospital with it so I think if you have another it’s not a given the reaction to illness will be the same.
My GP gave me a prescription for an ampoule of vitamin D that is supposed to be three months dosage in one go, I’m not sure it made any difference though to be honest (or maybe she would have spent winter even worse without it- who knows).

It is fairly normal but would look at boosting immune system.
We now all take sambucol daily after a horrendous winter last year and my youngest needing antibiotics 6 times in a short time space.
This year we have had 1 virus to date.

I'm sorry! That sounds dreadful, how worrying. I was only going off my own experience, personally my toddler has been harder to manage when ill than as a baby, but obviously they're all different 🙂

@blossomhoney2 I'm currently in the cycle you were talking about, it's been 4 months for me. Did things get better for you?

@DaisyBellPeachyes!!! I totally feel for you it’s horrendous. Last winter we were pretty much sick until februaury, (also got a horrible diarrhea /vomiting bug) things started getting better in March… then we had a couple of sicknesses in summer and this winter has been so much better! LO has been sick maybe 3 times? And I’ve only caught it once. I promise things get better and there is light at the end of the tunnel! Keep going!

Aw thank you for messaging back! Thats really good to hear! I'm just at my whits end worrying about my baby and working whilst everyone is poorly is just the hardest thing I've done. Gosh if by march it gets easier if be so chuffed with that!

I know, it’s so so so hard.. the worst part of parenting in my opinion. And some littles tend to suffer more than others from my perspective and experience. Chin up you have got this and soon it will be a distant memory @DaisyBellPeach🤞

I'm so glad I seen this post.. my daughetr started nursery in November and ever since me and her have been ill pretty much every few weeks...every time we have one cough and cold were fine for a few days and then we get it again. It's been relentless to the point I'm worried there's something seriosuly wrong with me .. I feel inhvant had a break from illness currently and were 5 months in hopefjmg things will improve soon

https://theconversation.com/if-you-think-your-toddlers-often-ill-youre-right-what-going-to-nursery-means-for-catching-colds-and-building-immunity-275587

Yes unfortunately it is normal but give it time especially when they start reception it all eases off. If old enough, get DC flu vaccine.