Anyone else struggling to get through the illness phase?

[jessplussomeonenew]

DS (now 15 months) has been in nursery since he turned one, and he, and we, have had a cold (or worse) a week since then. We're trying to be good on hand washing etc, and we're taking vitamins, but our immune systems are both worn down from poor sleep which doesn't help. Nursery seem OK with hygiene, so I guess it's just the usual getting used to exposure to all the germs. It's been bloody hard going coping with all this on top of work, and I was hoping for some company and sympathy from others going through this. Encouragement from survivors would also be welcome!

[jessplussomeonenew]

The other trick we've had to resort to lately is for one of us to put a spare syringe into our mouths and pretend to have medicine!

[nutmegandginger]

Things do seem to be better since Christmas here too - a whole month of no illness is such a relief. Though nursery cheerfully informed me yesterday about the 'bit of everything' bug that's going round now, so this may not last...

Thanks for the paracetamol info. Giving dd the syringe herself might help as I think part of the problem is that she resents things being done to her. Maybe she doesn't like the taste either. The only way I've ever got any into her is with a medicine dummy (sometimes), but she loves taking her vitamin d drops and positively asks for them to be squirted into her mouth.

[Chinks123]

Artistic I did genuinely think about pulling her out because it just seemed to be never ending, she hadnt been ill at all for 2 years and then suddenly the poor thing was ill constantly. But that's what happens when they mix with other kids unfortunately and I'm hoping it will be a good thing for her immune system in the long run. That's my silver lining I'm desperately clinging to

[Chinks123]

Since my DD started nursery, like you say has been ill every week since, a cough then a cold, then a fever and now conjunctivitis. It's hard work when they pass everything on to you, I'm struggling with a blocked nose and sore throat she's given me and dreading catching her conjunctivitis!! But she loves nursery and I'm just hoping, really hoping it settles down soon as it feels relentless.

[mrsmugoo]

Mine started last November (2014) and was ill until the March!

But this winter he's not even had so much as a sniffle!

[jelliebelly]

Horrible time of year for illness - nurseries and schools are rife with ill children till about April when the sun comes out! Mine are older now but both went to nursery from 6 months / it started to get better once they turned two.

It may be little consolation but it does mean that once they start school they are immune to almost everything!! Mine are 10 and 7 now and haven't had a day off sick yet (tempts fate) .

[HBSBeeches]

I'm here too! But mine has caused a bad inner ear infection and they are talking grommets. Am pretty upset as I went back to work with a perfectly healthy child and now facing a minor op. Any words of wisdom warmly received.

[NewLife4Me]

Hi, just wanted to say it will get better, but you all have my sympathy.
It's easy to forget how tough these times are when your dc are older or grown up.
I can remember no sooner one of them getting something, then the others, then me and dh.
They seem to pick everything up and spread it round brilliantly.

[jessplussomeonenew]

Sorry to hear you're going through the mill too Artistic and Nutmeg! Touch wood things seem better for us now. I had to take a bit of time off work to shake off the exhaustion/sickness, but we've had a few illness free weeks since mid-December which have made life a lot better. That makes four pretty rough months so I hope we've built up our immunity now!

Nutmeg, we found the cherry flavour paracetamol suspension (Tesco used to sell it, I think Asda still does) was much more palatable than any of the strawberry ones - that and giving DS the syringe to put in his own mouth (we push the plunger) seemed to work.

[Artistic]

OP - I could've written your post! Ditto story here & lactose intolerance thrown into the mix after a stomach bug! At the verge of taking her out of nursery as am so anxious about her getting thinner & weaker each week after 3 tough days at nursery &'3-4 tough days at home recovering from the fevers and colds. When will this end??!! Should I pull her out?!

[nutmegandginger]

Yes! Not only does DD seem to come home with something every week she is well enough to go in (thankfully nothing serious yet, just the usual viruses) but she then gives it to us. Before all this, I can't remember the last time I had anything worse than a bit of a cold, but these nursery illnesses really wiped me out - have had ear infections, lost my voice, had to spend days in bed, etc. She gives it to DH and to my DM too. I'm just hoping that this winter is the worst and after that she will have built up her immunity...

It doesn't make things easier that she is a calpol refuser. I thought children were meant to love the stuff but she hates having anything put in her mouth, and I always end up soaked in it.

[Twistedheartache]

We're only 3 weeks in & it feels never-ending - I think she's teething now as well. Feel like taking out shares in calpol!
Didn't have much time off after the first few weeks with dd1 til it got to winter (she started in Feb) so fingers crossed it won't last.

[MrsKCastle]

Oh I remember this. DD1 got her first stomach bug after only 2 days at nursery. (After hitting her head on day 2, so requiring an A&E trip to check it wasn't concussion). Then there was a series of colds, one of which led to an infection requiring hospital treatment and 6 weeks of antibiotics. Fun times.

It does get easier. After the first few weeks it slowed down. She's now 7 and very rarely has time off school, so it does seem to have paid off.

[jessplussomeonenew]

How long did people have this with DC1?

[AmandaTanen]

Right there with you, dc2 started at nursery in September, so far we've had 2 lots of sickness and bronchiolitis which included an overnight stay in hospital. They have been at home more than nursery, or at least that's how it feels. Dc1 once they got over nursery settling in bugs and childhood diseases seems to be healthier than ever, touch wood.

[Notfastjustfurious]

Yip right there with you too. Dd started in August and there's always some bug kicking about. I've been through this already with my now 3 year old but had forgotten how relentless it was.

[jessplussomeonenew]

Half sorry and half glad we're not the only ones going through this - had expected a bit of sickness but not quite so relentless. Scary to think we might have another 3 months of this as it's making everything so hard! He's in 3 days a week so normally comes down with something on Thursday, is ill all weekend and recovers in time to go back to nursery on Monday and pick up something else :(

[CumbrianExile]

We are going through similar, DS started nursery at 9 months back in June, and he has a cold every week. Also had to rush home from work a few times and pick him up. Luckily work are pretty understanding and I can work from home around him if needed. But it is hard work. I feel the pain!

[StepfauxWife]

We had a very similar experience when DD was this age. It was a nightmare as I'd often have to down tools at work to fetch her if she'd been sick or had two runny nappies in a row.

Now she is just over two, she has not been ill nearly as much. She had better have the constitution of an ox when she is older. Hang in there!

[NickNacks]

I'm a cm and the little ones in my care have been off a lot recently. I have children of my own who haven't caught anything and are a bit older (all at school) so can only assume it's their immune system and not my hygiene! It does always improve as they get older and some children are just unlucky.

[Jackiebrambles]

It's dreadful isn't it? From 12-18 months was the worst. My ds started at 12 months too. It gets so much better, he'll be 3 in Feb and has only been ill twice in the last year.