[JBaby]

Hi

DD started LDC last August at 16months, and even though she was only going 1-2 days a week, she pretty much got sick every week until recently. I was warned it would happen so I was prepared for it, but I’ve heard from a few people that its not usually bad the subsequent years as they are now used to those particular germs.

I’m wondering how true that is, has that been your experience? Was the second/third year fine compared to first year getting sick all the time?

I will be going on maternity leave with # 2 in June and not sure whether to remove DD from care (she goes 2 days per week) or not….On one hand she really loves her centre, the other kids and her carers and it would mean I could spend more one on one time with new baby. But on the other hand I really don’t want her passing on illnesse/germs to our newborn!

There are plenty of vacancies in our area so I’m not worried about taking a place away from a working mum or not being able to get her in at a later date if needed.

Has anyone else kept their toddler in daycare while they were on parental leave?

[vanessa71]

I don't know, I think it might depend on the child. DS never got sick when he was in care.

[Jemstar]

It was for mine, and for several years after that. 2012 was a shocker for illness though, my boys all missed a lot of school with various bugs.

My toddlers did stay in care when I was on mat leave, but I had to keep them in to hold their place. I did reduce the number of days though, plus it was nice to have a bit of breathing space.

[ell80]

I kept my DS in daycare for 2 days whilst I was on Mat leave with DD. I originally dropped him down to 1 day, but he wasn't coping very well (could have been the introduction of his sister too...) The daycare suggested I try 2 days per week for more consistancy and he did start really enjoying it again.

It gives you time to spend with the baby and do all those things like MHN appointments and shopping which can be hard with both a newborn and toddler. (DS was 20 months when DD was born)
Also, just time to meet a girlfriend for coffee or clean the house which you can't do with a toddler in tow. Having 2 babies takes a lot more of your time than 1 so it's nice to have a break from both.

But you asked about sickness specifically.... My DD had a cold from the time she was 2 weeks old until 12 months old. DS would bring them home from daycare and she would get them. A CONTINUOUSLY snotty baby is a bit annoying... Harder for them to feed, boogers everywhere.. Never seemed to bother her, she's a tough little nugget - but I did feel sorry for her. DS never had that problem as he wasn't around daycare germs for the first year of his life.

Now they are both in daycare and neither one gets sick very often (15 months & 3years) so I suppose the theory works...

[EBeditor]

I definitely found that to be the case. They only had a couple of sick days the following year and quite mild cases.

DS ha such a strong immune system when he started school that he only had 1 sick day the whole year (of course not all of that is down to daycare)

[It'sallgood]

Dunno.

My kids have always been robust and healthy and not likely to catch more then a runny nose for a few days here and there.

DD2 had a chronic problem with tonsillitis, but nothing to do with Daycare as various family members have had this happen and I think some kids are just a bit more susceptible. As my kids were in such close contact, DD1 used to catch it sometimes from DD2 which was a PITA. But 3 yrs ago, she had tonsills out and neither child has been sick a day since then.

If she likes it and you need the break. Send her!

Tamm

[msro82]

DD was sick from 6 months until around 2 years - essentially until they stop putting everything in their mouth and have reasonable hygiene (eg regularly washing hands).

DD is 5.5 and she didn't have any days off last year for contagious illnesses. Previous years after 2 it was the odd day here or there, maybe 3 in total!

[WinterDancesHere]

DS started daycare at 5ish months and had a lot of sickness (mostly in winter) between 1 and 2.

This winter has been heaps better (no hospital admissions) so I am hoping that he has built up the resistance now.

ETA: I am pregnant at the moment, and became a stay at home mum last year. I cut DS's hours but left him attending because he enjoys it. My plan is to have #2 attend from 6-9 months as well so I can have some one on one time with DS and a child free day for study.

This post has been edited by WinterDancesHere: 21/01/2013, 12:06 PM

[ally4281]

Was true for us. 1st year in care (from 18 months), he was sick nearly all winter/spring. 2nd year in care (2.5yo) he was barely sick at all.

In saying that my friends LG who is the same age, and been
going to the same centre for the same amount of time, still seems to be sick all the time. She has lots of cousins, and kids in her family though and we have none, so not sure if that's why?

[lozoodle]

Not sure, I think it will depend on the kid. I have had two kids at the same centre last year and one got much sicker than the other (3 trips to hospital).

The eldest is staying in this year as it is her final year before school and she is in the pre school room when I go on mat leave, but the 2 year old has been pulled out for the year and will return when I return to work. I'm not willing to risk another year like the one we have had when she could be at home with me.

This post has been edited by lozoodle: 21/01/2013, 12:00 PM