Am I overreacting? 13mo with repeated fevers!

[leelums]

Writing this message as my dd is poorly again with a slight cough, runny nose and fever. Went to the GP for a check over and they didn’t seem too concerned, despite telling them that she literally presented the same symptoms just 10-14 days ago. The previous time she had a fever lasting over 7 days and we ended up putting her on a course of antibiotics as we wondered whether it was bacterial — ear infection or similar.

It has been constant with illnesses since early December and I’m really struggling with it all, despite having a very supportive partner. We hear repeatedly it’s “common” for toddlers to be unwell often, but I swear this wasn’t the norm when I was that age, or my siblings’, or parents’ generations.

Is anyone else experiencing this and what advice can you give? She eats very well (all home cooked fresh food — plenty of healthy fats, protein and veg). We also give her D3 — knowing this helps immunity.

It’s so tough when you’re having to juggle being a parent, as well as managing a job, house, etc, as well as my own health and wellbeing (am also getting sick every month or so) and it’s starting to take its toll mentally and physically.

I just feel like we are the only ones going through this. Even her nursery class (she goes 2x per week) only seem to have simple snotty noses. Nothing as bad as what she’s experiencing.

One thing that we have found reduced the number of illnesses (as well as time/ her immune system building up) is being really diligent about washing hands as soon as we get in from anywhere including nursery. And hand sanitizer when leaving parks etc. We also change out of nursery clothes at the door if we know a bug has been doing the rounds.

it is really tough, especially when they are still so little and it is relentless.

Some of it could be teething symptoms. One of my DDs always used to get diarrhoea, temperature, etc. when she was teething (especially when her molars were coming through). My other DD didn’t used to get symptoms

www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/

My GS had constant coughs, colds and chest infections when he was at nursery. He's adopted and had been in care during Covid with no contact with other children, so I suppose that he had developed no immunity at all. He's much better now, aged 7.
When I was a child I constantly had what they termed tonsilitis and eventually had my tonsils and adenoids out. This cured my sore throats but I think has led to me getting more colds and sinus infections.

I am so hot on hygiene and already do the exact same as you suggested (thinking it would help). I always wash her hands with warm soapy water as soon as we get in from nursery, change all her clothes, etc. Also wash them every time we come home from being out and about.

Even if this hasn’t helped much at the moment illness-wise, at least it’s setting standards and a routine for her when it comes to hygiene! X

It’s so tough isn’t it. I was not aware or prepared for this and it’s so incredibly stressful and upsetting. The reason I made this post is because I just feel so alone and like I’m the only one going through it; so it is reassuring to know that this is not the case. I just really hope that the frequency drops soon. I feel so exhausted and am at my wits end :(

DD fever has gone now and we have not had to give antibiotics — thank goodness. She now has a cough (which kept her and us up a lot last night) and was really fussy and whiny this morning, but has had a much better afternoon. Still intermittently giving some pain relief as she is cupping her jaw and tugging her ears — whether it’s teething or ear related I’m not sure but will keep a close eye.

Hoping for a good night and better day tomorrow 🤞🏽

So her fever has come back tonight. What is everyone’s thoughts on the connection between raised temps and teething? I’ve noticed her cheeks are red and she’s chewing her fingers. I just didn’t think or believe (from what I’ve read) that teething causes a temp? It was 38.

It’s normal if at nursery, my first was I’ll practically every week in his first year and my second has had 8 different illnesses since the first week of december !

Oh both of mine have had fevers during teething , have you looked into slap cheek? The rash can come and go for weeks and can make them feel rotten

15 Sep 2025- cough runny nose no fever
10 October 2025 - fever
10 Nov 2025- stomach bug
08 Dec 2025- fever runny nose
28 December - fever for 1 day
13 Jan - 16 Jan 2026- fever cough runny nose
20 Jan 2026 - fever ( 1 spike) cough - abx
29 Jan 2026 - fever cough runny nose (3-4 days)
08 Feb 2026 - Stuffy / runny nose - no fever
16 Feb 2026 -4 day Fever 40+ rigours runny nose
04 March 2026 - fever - 3 day fever & 1 day low grade fever ? Red throat
12 March 2026 - ear infection and bacterial tonsillitis fever and Abx
28 March - 1st April runny nose / cough and fever 4-5 days
20 April - fever runny nose

my daughter is 22 months and started nursery September just gone and this is her sickness record since :( I understand the worry I even made her have a blood test after breaking down to the Gp that I thought she had leukemia. Blood tests all came back perfect but that’s still no reassurance for me. Just wanted you to know you’re not alone. I can handle the sicknesses but it’s the fevers that worry me !

Yes my DD had this, it was around the time she started nursery and I swear she was sick for 6 months. It was awful. She often had extremely high fevers. I finally saw a very good paediatrician who advised 1. alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen when she had high fevers. Babies can take both if there has been at least 2 hours from last dose of one. 2. An antihistamine. He said often when you ‘dry up’ the nasal secretions, the rest goes away. The only antihistamine for babies is liquid piriton if I remember correctly and it is a tiny dose. But omg what a difference. She was well again within two doses. I still follow this advice and mine is 14 now. She also hardly ever gets sick if that makes you feel better!