New starter at nursery

[Rosiebrown1]

Hi Mumsnet members.. Please help!!!:( Little one 10 months) started nursery last week. I had to go back to work albeit p/t. Single mum. You probably know the angst..no one to have baby, no relatives or anyone to help out..childcare costing as much as wages but no choice.

Last week baby came home with a stomach bug.. Then gave it to me. Not a problem for me but how the heck does anyone cope when their head is down the loo most of the day and baby is so poorly too?!

We coped.. obviously baby comes first. Back in nursery today seemingly well but has come home with me again with a terribly cold..crying, screaming and so poorly:( I feel so bad for my baby.

Nursery staff seem lovely but last week and today have apparently been unable to feed more than a few ounces of fluids (said baby didn't want)?!?! Baby constipated last week and today. It's never a problem for me to feed 40 ounces of milk plus solids on a daily basis.

Last week baby had vest poppers ripped by staff. I put it down to coincidence. It happened again today. All new, good quality baby clothing.

None of this happens with me. I totally understand no one looks after your baby like you but I am struggling to understand just how our lives have been turned upside down by this change. Any advice so welcome xx

My girl has been in nursery just over a month now was 9mo when she first went) and just as she shakes one bug she appears with another!

I was actually thinking of writing my own post to ask how long I should expect this to last as she builds up her immune system!

Can't really comment on the ripped vests though, seems very odd to me as I have also never managed to do that?! I'd be asking the question to the staff on that one.

Good luck though OP, I'm lead to believe the bugs last a couple of months (on and off). Fingers crossed you're all sorted soon! X

Many children have one cold after another in the autumn, while they build up their immune systems. They should be able to stay in nursery with a cold, but nothing worse, or D&V.

Thank you both for replies❤️ I guess it appears normal for little ones to pick up bugs but the illness in this house over the last few days has been insane.

In the last year little one has had one 24 hour bug. Only other illness has been when in laws were trying to wean her onto hard feed at 10 weeks. That's a whole new and different thread. Irrelevant now thank goodness.

Thank so much for support xxx

Thank you so much for reply;) I'm definately going to review childcare tomorrow as I won't be able to go into work as far as I can see yet.

Thank you for a different option😉 xxx

Another option could be multi vitamins? I tried them with mine but she just spat it back at me 🙄 But on looking online at other threads it seems to be a big thumbs up and have helped keep general bugs at bay?

I got boots own syrup but it didn't go down well with the baby, but then again, neither does any type of medicine. My older two love it though!

It’s normal for them to pick up a lot of colds etc but not normal to have clothing damaged - normal for it to get a bit mucky - paint etc- but not to have poppers ripped off :o.

My son started at 13 months and the first 3 months he got cold, stomach bug, another cold then another cold... He never had any cold in his first 12 months with me at home. I suppose it's normal when kids start at nursery as when we were worried and went to the GP or even the sick kids hospital the doctors just checked and said it's normal just needs some time for the little ones to build their immune system. Hope your little one get better soon!

My DS’s first winter in nursery was BRUTAL. Non stop bugs. He’s got a champion immune system now though. And loves going to nursery.

A few teething problems are totally normal when starting in childcare but staff should be more than happy to talk things through and settle your worries. If you’re not getting that, look around for some other options. But your DC will honestly be fine whatever happens.

My (now 11 year old) was at nursery full time from when he was 6 months as I had to go back to work.

The first few months are really hard and yes they will get one cold / bug after another. BUT I really believe from seeing it happen, this occurs for first few months at some point for kids.

I know children who didn't do nursery before pre school and so spent first few months of pre school and school with all the bugs where as mine very rarely gets ill ever. He has a fantastic immune system.

Doesn't help you at the moment but I promise it gets better.

Oh and he is the most sociable, gets on with anyone and independent kid.

I'm yet to meet a child who went to nursery / child care early who isn't the same. (Not saying those who don't aren't!) but I believe insert early males independent kids who are happy to go to school as it's normal.

Re the poppers, mention it, gently. And also especially as they get bigger don't send them to nursery in good clothes. Primary stuff all the way... but they shouldn't be breaking stuff and if they do as a one off accident.

I moved when he was 2 1/2 was very sad to leave his nursery, I loved the staff and he loved it there.

The next place he went to I was not convinced about after a while and I raised concerns. Things didn't change and so I moved him again and the new place was fabulous.

It is a trust your instinct and for me a huge part of it is the staff, you need to feel like they are delighted to see your child and your child is well cared for there. If not look elsewhere. Best thing is ask for recommendations.

Oh I feel for you OP, it must be hard being a single parent and navigating this. Both of my DC were unbelievably ill the first autumn/winter at nursery. My DD started at 9 months and had hand foot and mouth, norovirus and scarlet fever within weeks. Colds were just standard at all times. My DS, now 15 months, has already had a chest infection, ear infection and two nasty stomach bugs. It is normal as their immune systems develop but it is brutal and when you are in the thick of it you can convince yourself that there is something seriously wrong. Definitely give vitamins but you just have to ride it out TBH.

In terms of the clothing, that does sound odd. Go with your gut and if you're not happy with the care at this nursery maybe look into sending her somewhere else. All the best!