This will get better, won’t it?

[Hangingonathread1]

I know continuous bugs in young children is normal, especially this year. But someone please tell me this gets better?

DD is 14months, started nursery the last week in august, 4 days per week. Out of the 12weeks, she’s been off AT LEAST two days each week, for 8 of them weeks. £1600 of nursery fees (approx) for absolutely nothing!

Two weeks after she started she had a chest infection, and since then it’s been a continuous stream of HFM, colds, norovirus, oral thrush, temperature, chest infections, urine infection. She’s had a cough since September at night, and her temperature is up and down like a yo-yo. FOUR courses of antibiotics, and nothing is working, she is loosing weight. I feel like we are on first names terms with the GP.

After being full of a general cold last week, she has now started with conjunctivitis, her nose and eyes are streaming and raging temperature of over 38! So another day off tomorrow, as she will need yet ANOTHER COvid test before being allowed at nursery.

It’s becoming unsustainable and I don’t see a way out. As a single parent, Ive exhausted my savings to prolong my maternity leave. I receive very little support in terms of benefits due to being a homeowner, and no CMS (father moved abroad). So I have no option but to work to pay the bills, with very little disposable income after childcare fees. But without my earnings we can’t afford to live. No win situation. I have very little support from family and friends (now the “cuddly baby stage” is over), as they have other / own commitments. Plus I’m running on hardly any sleep!

PLEASE someone tell me this is worth it? And gets easier. I’m loosing the will.

It is worth it!
The first few months are so hard when they start picking up every single thing.
It does calm down and start to become enjoyable!
It's either now at nursery or when they start school!
Hope your DD is ok she's had a rough ride.

That sounds really tough, but it will get better. As soon as they go to nursery they pick up all the bugs and especially due to covid they haven't come across any of this up to now. It's good for their immune system to come across this early on though, so even though it is tough now it won't last long. Your little one seems to have had a particularly hard start to nursery though, hopefully the end of the sickness is in sight and she is 100% soon

@OinkPinkPonk

It is worth it! The first few months are so hard when they start picking up every single thing. It does calm down and start to become enjoyable! It's either now at nursery or when they start school! Hope your DD is ok she's had a rough ride.

I would love to say this is true, but I'm scared for myself that it's not.

DC1 started nursery autumn of 2020. He picked up quite a few colds and we thought that was it. Since March of this year it has been hell on earth. Bronchiolitis, multiple episodes of severe croup, hand food and mouth, ear infections, two bouts of norovirus and the list goes on.

So for us it hasn't been starting nursery for the first time that's done it. And you're right- it doesn't feel sustainable. Thankfully I've been on mat leave with my second baby (very close age gap!), which has made things inordinately harder but has also meant we haven't had to worry about childcare when we're not allowed to send DC1 into nursery. Still- absolutely and completely brutal and you very much have my sympathies.

@OinkPinkPonk thanks. The GP has echoed what your said, and that most children that are susceptible to bugs in the early years, are generally better in school years.

My only issue is how is sustain this, as I don’t get paid anymore for sick days and I’ve used all my annual leave. But I’ve still got the responsibility of paying the nursery fees, even though she isn’t attending. It’s wearing me and my finances down.

@PurplePizzaCake thank you, fingers crossed. I know she’s not having a great start. Also CMPA and severe reflux, extra large adenoids and tonsils which are waiting ENT to referral. And under SLT for feeding issues. So the common cold is just icing on a cake.

@chasingkites aww hope your little one is ok, and congratulations on your baby. It’s a brutal ride. They keep saying this winter is a hard one, but I’m not holding my breath.

Same here. It's rubbish :( my middle one is 3 and bringing home everything, he's barely been in to nursery and it's all been since the baby arrived in the summer.

I can't remember my first child ever having viruses in a row like this, so it's not inevitable in my experience but it really seems to be happening that way for us this time.

I think it's the all the viruses since Coronavirus coming out as they didn't do their rounds last winter.

I really feel for you op, especially with no support. I highly rate a good multivit with zinc and vit d and iron. You can get them for small dcs. Also if your daughter likea soup, lace it with garlic ( garlic has anti bacterial properties)

Probiotics ( natural yogurt) are v v good for the stomach post antibiotics and gut flora is linked to our immune systems. When your dc feels better plenty of fresh air. Smoothies can be a great way of getting extra vits in.

@BertieBotts I know I can’t seem to remember my nieces and nephews struggling this much. Sorry to hear you experiencing the same. DD is sharing with me too, making the situation worse. Congratulations on your LO!

@Abitlost2 thank you. Although DD is CMPA so yoghurt is a no go. She’s still also prescription formula fed, and has prescription vitamins. Food is defiantly not her strong point, which is why we are under feeding consultants. But she does occasionally enjoy soup (more the dipping). We do get out everyday for a walk, which is my sanity!

Aww , soups are fantastic! Hope you will all feel better v soon, it will get better.

My 20mo started in April 2020 and was ill before he had even finished his settle in sessions. He only attends two days a week. We’ve had maybe a few times where we’ve had 2-3 consecutive weeks of him being okay over summer but as soon as September came we went back to square one. Since April We’ve had ear infections, tonsillitis, hand foot and mouth, croup, sickness bugs, chest infection and that’s just the stuff we identified, constant cold.

I have been thrown into some sort of late onset postpartum anxiety because of it, I feel like I can’t remember the last time he was well. I dread sending him into nursery as I feel like it’s just inevitable that he’s going to pick up something else. I hate it. He’s come on leaps and bounds at nursery and is such a happy little boy but I hate that he’s just so poorly all the time. I want to take him out but I know it won’t be good for him and I have to work unfortunately.

I’m hoping after this first winter we might get some reprieve. He’s breastfed, eats well (when not ill) and takes multivitamins - what more can I do!