Is there an end to creche-itis?!

mrsberries

My second child started crèche back in January when he was almost 7 months. As my first child also goes to crèche, I was expecting the first few months of bugs and colds, but with my second fella it just hasn't stopped - theres something at least twice a month that requires him staying at home and one of us getting ill after. And Im catching every thing going - especially tummy bugs :eek::eek: Did anyone else go through this for as long? And anyone find a way of building up their resistance? Every time I ask the doc or nurse they say its all part of it

yellow hen

We haven't had too many tummy bugs but have had endless conjunctivitis and several chest infections. It's exhausting! I recently asked a respiratory specialist and was told that for a child starting crèche, up to 24 respiratory infections a year is normal!!! I dream of a month where we don't have to visit the gp. (I also dream of the day when free gp care for under 6's comes in!)

pwurple

There is a vaccine for some of the tummy bugs. Can't remember now if it's rotavirus or the other common one, norovirus. Anyway... It's a drop that is put on the tongue. I got it for myself and the creche-goer in the family. Tummy bugs are a disaster. Must get it for the smaller baby shortly. Had forgotten!

Jsut looked it up, it's rotavirus. There were calls to add it to the vaccine schedule, but it never happened. You can get it prescribed though.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/paediatrician-backs-child-rotavirus-vaccine-252174.html

I got the extra vaccine for chicken pox as well for them. There has been a shingles and chicken pox outbreak around here several times a year. Another one I'm glad to side-step.

It really does take it's toll, one thing after another. You get a bit run down.

If they didn't pick them up in creche I'd say they'd get them when they started school instead. All part of building their immunity i think. i'm all for prevention where i can.

lazygal

I think it depends on the child to a large extent. My older one stayed with the minder while I had a newborn and I thought the baby would get everything going with his sister being around other children but apart from sniffles we haven't had anything even when he started in the minder. Meanwhile their cousins seem to out with something every few weeks.
I would definitely advise the chicken pox vaccines. It gives great peace of mind and you're not dreading them getting it when you've booked something else. There's no way of building immunity apart from exposure or vaccines. Those probiotic drinks and vitamins are just gimmicky marketing.

Rose35

Oh don't talk to me about bugs and coughs and viruses!!!!! The first year we were at the doctor twice a month at least!!!
Didn't know about that vaccine pwurple for the tummy bugs, in all my life I have never had as many bugs as I have had since my son started creche, we have had a relatively good summer but now the winter is approaching I am dreading the endless amount of viruses swimming around creche, my doctor said same it is all part and parcel of having a child in day care and that it gets better when they turn two, fingers crossed. I think give a good multivitamin suitable for their age and a probiotic after an antibiotic, there is a great one I got in a health shop in powder form that you can add to their milk I think it's udo's choice.

Baby01032012

I'm on way into work after 2 days off due to stomach bug from our 2 yr old. 3rd seerious bug I got since he started crèche. But so many other colds and other things. It seems endless. Same for anyone I know. I'd love if there was an answer... I feel for you OP

Chocoholic84

Creche-itis is terrible! My daughter started creche in April and only recently in the past month has she stopped getting everything and anything going...she's gotten ear infections (3 - as a result got grommets fitted and nothing since thank God), conjunctivitis, strep throat...it's endless! She's the local GP's best customer! Also very annoying as in my creche, when they're put on antibiotics they have to spend the first 24 hours at home. Myself & hubby both work so we take turns taking time off. Hope to God we're in the clear now - I also dream of the day free healthcare for under 6's comes in! What's the story with it actually - thought it was meant to ages ago?

pwurple

I think the story with the free GP care is that's it's locked in political quagmire.

There are people saying why should those loaded parents (hearty guffaw) get free anything when there are people on the dole who don't get a medical card.

Then the deal they were trying to cut with the the GP's was ripping the GP's off they said.

So I dunno will we ever see it. My youngest will be 7 by the time it's implemented no doubt.

How Strange

I found a multivitamin tonic helped them to bounce back in the winter when they seem to catch one thing after another.

Staplor

How Strange wrote: »

I found a multivitamin tonic helped them to bounce back in the winter when they seem to catch one thing after another.

Seconded on this my lad takes Pharmaton in the morning and there's been a massive improvement.

indigo twist

I had no idea you could get a vaccine for chicken pox! How much is it, and are there any potential side effects? And whats the best age to get it done?

Staplor

Pox vaccine doesn't last for ever, they could realistically get the pox at 17 or 18 unless they get a booster.

Neyite

I got a baby probiotic and added it to his daily milk drink. It's called Restore, and I honestly think its helped ward off a lot of the small nuisances that he picked up in creche. For a while it seemed like every week we had to go get him as he'd have a high temperature and be upset, and since the probiotic started, he had one day off where his molars were badly at him.

I think the probiotic is suitable from birth. I also gave a multivitamin. Which reminds me, I must get them again!

IvyTheTerrible

My fella is on his second year at the creche and he got sick a lot last year. This year, so far, he hasn't caught anything (I'm probably tempting fate!)
So I think they just need some time to get some immunity.

lazygal

You need a booster shot for the chicken pox but adults can catch it again even if they have had the actual chicken pox. It just avoids the child having to deal with the illness and all that goes with it. It cost us about 250 but we didn't shop around, I'm sure you'll get it cheaper. I'll organize a booster when the GP recommends one. Prevention is better than cure and all that.

yellow hen

I was inspired by you ladies so bought the pharmaton junior today. We've been teething solid for 2.5 weeks and I would cry if this was followed by something else he picked up!

mrsberries

Thanks everyone, don't feel so alone now . chicken pox us how we spent our May and June so vaccine not needed. I interested in the tum bug one though as called in sick with one for the fourth time this year on Monday. Between that and all the calls from the creche, I'm just glad I've understanding employers. urs tough going though!

How Strange

My gp doesn't recommend the chicken pox vaccine unless the child or someone in the family is immuno suppressed. Apparently in Holland it's normal to bring your child to crèche when they have chicken pox so they all get it very young. And the have chicken pox parties too.

How Strange

Also kefir milk drink is a natural probiotic. I buy it every now and then and give it to the kids. It tastes like a slightly effervescent thin yoghurt.

xzanti

Neyite wrote: »

I got a baby probiotic and added it to his daily milk drink. It's called Restore, and I honestly think its helped ward off a lot of the small nuisances that he picked up in creche. For a while it seemed like every week we had to go get him as he'd have a high temperature and be upset, and since the probiotic started, he had one day off where his molars were badly at him.

I think the probiotic is suitable from birth. I also gave a multivitamin. Which reminds me, I must get them again!

Yeah, we use one called Udo's Choice Infants Blend.. it's amazing!! Our little guy was constantly getting bugs, since I started giving him this, the most he'll get is a cough and a runny nose.

Haven't had a major temperature or a doctor dash since he started the probiotic!! Highly recommend it.

mrsberries

xzanti wrote: »

Yeah, we use one called Udo's Choice Infants Blend.. it's amazing!! Our little guy was constantly getting bugs, since I started giving him this, the most he'll get is a cough and a runny nose.

Haven't had a major temperature or a doctor dash since he started the probiotic!! Highly recommend it.

Oh that's good to hear! I used this on the little fella for his colic when he was very small so must repurchase.

yellow hen

How Strange wrote: »

Also kefir milk drink is a natural probiotic. I buy it every now and then and give it to the kids. It tastes like a slightly effervescent thin yoghurt.

Just read about that how strange. Where do you buy it?

How Strange

yellow hen wrote: »

Just read about that how strange. Where do you buy it?

I bought it this week in lidl as they're doing polish food at the moment. Usually I buy it in an Eastern European supermarket or Supervalu as some of them stock it. It's supposed to be great for upset tummies, constipation and as a probiotic. I've found it quite good myself for my stomach and would try to drink a small cup of it in the morning although I don't buy it every week. I water it down a little for A.

yellow hen

Thanks! And if you don't mind me asking, when you give it to A, how much do you give?

monkeysnapper

I'm with you on this, I'm sick to the back teeth of paying crèche fees and my boy spends at least a week at home a month . Between chest infections and rashes .

I had to take a week off in jan and another week in April because he got pneumonia , I'm not saying its the crèche for certain but back in April he was out of crèche that month more than he was in it. It's really frustrating paying huge money for it and doctors bills on top .
I've bought my self some udo,s choice, I used it for a while on my girl when she was young.
The one thing I will say tho is she was I'll a lot when she was 1-2 years old and touch wood she's been brilliant since 2.5 onwards, she's 5 in month .

I truly believe there should be some help for working parents when it comes to sick children . I heard there was going to be free gp visits for under 5s , ??

How Strange

yellow hen wrote: »

Thanks! And if you don't mind me asking, when you give it to A, how much do you give?

Probably a quarter of a sippy cup and dilute it with a little water so it's easier to drink.

pwurple

How Strange wrote: »

Apparently in Holland it's normal to bring your child to crèche when they have chicken pox so they all get it very young. And the have chicken pox parties too.

Yes, I've heard this. I honestly think it's frikken barbaric! I know chicken pox doesn't do as much damage when you are young, but I remember getting it myself as a child. A week of itchy oozing scratchy hell. Horrible. Couldn't sleep. Fevers. My mum wasn't working at the time, but if that was me now, I'd have to take time off work, plus probably have the guilt of infecting other people in creche. My friend's kids got it recently. 2 of them, but one after the other. She ended up taking 3 weeks off work for them, and then developed shingles herself on top of it. Another 6 weeks off for her, and semi-permanent nerve pain as a result. Bleurg to that.


Wouldn't inflict that on my own family when there is prevention available. 2 seconds of a jab and that's them protected a bit.

IvyTheTerrible

There is no way here in France that the crèche would take a child it knows has chicken pox! Our crèche would make the child stay home til they are no longer contagious, and they'd put a sign on the notice board letting parents know that there has been a confirmed case among the children.

Jerrica

I was in crumlin this week with our little lady and ended up chatting to the doctor about the chicken pox vaccine, he said that a lot of people aren't aware of the potential side effects of Varicella infection (can be as serious as meningitis) and that there's a valid argument for introducing the vaccine alongside the normal schedule. Made for an interesting chat.