As a busy mum, how often do you get sick per year?

[SB2021]

I suppose I'm just looking for some reassurance here that I'm not abnormal! Just wondering how often you mums, especially mums and/or carers of young children, get sick each year? I have four kids, one of whom is a toddler, and I feel like I get sick frequently. And, not just with little sniffling colds, but with illness that knock you out for a few days. For example, within the past year, I have had: mastitis, a sinus infection, Covid, a stomach virus, flu, and now some kind of upper respiratory infection that has caused a high fever. I have no pre-existing conditions that I know of, we eat relatively healthy food as a family, I have a decent work-life balance, and am content. Is this just a normal part of mum life, or maybe am I low in some much needed nutrient? Before I had kids, I averaged one sickness per year, if that. Any insights are welcome!

Only one or two times a year on average. To me it sounds like you get ill quite a lot but it could be me who is unusual! DH, DD and DSD1 rarely get ill either. DSD2 gets ill a bit more than we do but just colds really.

A mild cold a couple times a year when my kids were young. I only remember one time when I was really 'take to my bed' sick, and what did I do? Took them away on my own as I'd already paid for the holiday cottage! I can now say I threw up at every tourist attraction in the Isle of Wight that trip!
I just powered through any time I felt a cold coming on.

Apart from mild colds and such I can only think of once when I was go-to-bed-ill. I don’t usually catch what the kids have apart from colds sometimes. DH seems to always catch any stomach related bugs they bring home though.

I'm never ill.
Could just be lucky.
I do eat a good diet very little processed food.
I exercise now but did bugger all exercise all last year (stressful desk based job and no free time)
No idea whether my lifestyle is making all the difference... Or not, suppose it can't be a bad thing.
But if I'd had the list you give I'd be looking at nutrition and stress factors, cos that's quite a list.

But 4 kids with one still a toddler means you likely are pretty physically depleted, so nutrient stores, energy and sleep likely have taken a hit lately. Add to that recovery from illnesses.

I think your need to try to improve your self care and diet as best you can cos I would imagine you have some restoration of health to do, not just standard upkeep.

1 toddler and 3/4 maybe 5 per year bed ridden sick/ almost bed ridden (aka would be but had no childcare so soldiered through without passing out)....but they started nursery, I went back to work in a school, covid restrictions gone....it's been a bit shit.

My thoughts are we're both mixing with high levels of infectious dirty types 😆

My kids get sick often and I don’t get as ill as them but do get things a few times per yr. I saw a herbalist about my kids immune systems and they are on herbs, plus she advised focusing on gut biome. We are all eating more fruit and veg, kefir etc. Lots of smoothies. Worth trying. Poor you!

I can only think of twice since I’ve known DH when I was that ill, one before kids and once when I was pregnant with DS3. So twice in 17 years.

Usually two or three times on average, although I’d imagine having four kids (especially if they’re young) would up that number so I don’t think you’re abnormal

i usually get a flu type virus once a year. I rest for a couple of days during school hours then I’m usually ok to carry on as normal.

Sounds like me when DD started nursery, it was relentless! I’m now very strict on taking vitamins and eating well. We also get the flu jab every year (we pay for it) as it’s one less illness to worry about!

Once yr kids go to school or nursery the will be in close proximity to super spreader kids that don’t ash their hands

I only have one 18 month old toddler and haven't been sick since he was born. He isn't in nursery though so he isn't bringing any illness home to me yet. Although I haven't been sick, I am constantly tired despite sleeping more than I did before he was born.

I think I get three or four really unpleasant viruses/bugs per year, with a further half dozen or so colds.

I get sick 3/4 x per year, have a toddler and am a teacher so work with swarms of children. Post COVID has been terrible for my immune system and work sickness record.

Completely bedridden is only about once a year fortunately. I’ve also been very lucky that sickness bugs have never gone further than one child each time. Colds of varying severity, short lived fevers are every few weeks. We didn’t have any respite during covid, my children were at nursery most of the time and we got most bugs at the same rate as usual

I'm a single mother to 2 small kids, one at nursery and one at school.

This last year I feel like we've been ill constantly. Multiple stomach bugs, covid, strep A, many other viral things. Most of the time I've just had ti carry in as no other option though.

I get a cold about once or twice a year that's it , same for my DH we are rarely ill .

3 kids, 2 at primary school, 1 at nursery. I probably get a couple of colds each winter, not enough to stop me. DH on the other hand is a proper sick note 😂 does my head in. I think people are just built differently 🤷‍♀️

About once a year for me with 2DC under 5 (one at school, one at nursery). It's usually a sickness bug, as I weirdly just don't get ill with colds. Might blow my nose and sneeze a bit, then the next day wake right as rain!

I think it probably is down to how ill your children get, rather than an issue with you.

I'm lucky mine don't really seem to bring much home, only common colds.

And now hoping I haven't just jinxed myself!!

Might get a cold or feel run down at times but properly sick as in taking time off work hardly ever. I think the last time was 2 or 3 years ago.

You need to prioritise sleep and eating well

That's the crux of it

I get a cold around once a year. Gastro every three or four years. Usually I can trace it back to work (hospital).

I don't have four children though, that increases exposure.