Do I send my baby to day care?

Question

Do babies who go to daycare really have issues with falling sick all the time?

Answer 1

I have sent both of my kids to daycare. My daycare is extemely clean and very well taken care of. All of the toys are disenfected at the end of the day. Having said that, my kids have provided me with two different experiences. My first child seemed like she got sick at least twice a month that required us to stay home with her for a day...until she was about 18 months. Then her immune system must have kicked in and we rarely had to stay home with her. My son has been pretty good and we haven't had to take the same amount of time away.

We talked to our pediatrician about this and they indicated that kids needed to be exposed to viruses, etc...to help build their immune system. He said kids that go to daycare have many sicknesses at an early age. Kids that stay home with a parent until kindergarden fare well at an early age, but then get sick all of the time when they start kindergarden because they are exposed to all sorts of viruses at a later date and need to build their immune systems up.

So...kids are either going to be sick at age 5 months or at 5 years. All depends on when you put them together with a couple dozen kids for the first time.

But just know that kids trade colds and viruses like they were baseball cards or video games.

I have no regrets on sending our kids to our daycare even after having experienced this. I do believe we have an exceptional daycare though. I haven't toured many that I would let my kids stay at.

Answer 2

I just started sending my son to daycare (3 days a week). Not thrilled with it but I do have to pay the bills!

Yes, in general, babies that go to daycare are exposed to more germs and viruses and are more liable to catch more illnesses. It's not fun for either you or your child but it is how they build up their immunity. If you are breastfeeding your child; that can lower the risk of him or her getting sick; if nothing else it can help your baby recover a little faster.

Look at the practices of your daycare. The one I take my son to uses hand sanitizers, they disinfect the changing area after every use, they assign cribs to children and no other children are permitted to use them, and they change the sheets daily. They also separate the infants from the older children which does help some. It's not a perfect system. All it takes is one sneeze and it's all over but the crying but at least they are taking precautions to ensure less sick time.

I was a daycare baby and I survived. In fact, my immune system is fantastic and I rarely get sick. As of yet I have never had a flu shot and I am 32 years old. Whether its due to the the exposure I got at the daycare or to heredity is hard to tell.

Answer 3

No more than they will when they start school. I am a stay at home mom. Have been since having my first 8 years ago. My hubby works in our local public schools. He brings everything home. My kids get sick all the time for the first year. Then they hardly get sick again. When they do it is serious. If you want to put your child in daycare then do. Don't let anyone act like you are not a good mom because of it. Oh.. and by sick.. it is like a common cold. Nothing too serious. Hope I helped.

Answer 4

They can. I have a preemie.. and my doctor basically told me she cant go to daycare until she is 4-5 years old, and even then, he would want to give me the OK before she could go. Kids are incubators for disease. Its just a simple fact. Watch a child play sometime, and you will see why. They touch everything in sight.. they are closer to the floor which is often covered in germs we have tracked in from outside. They touch animals.. doorknobs.. put things they find on the floor in their mouth.. suck on their hands without washing them... touch other kids...

...that being said... you cant keep your kid in a bubble! My son went to daycare two days a week, and yes, he got sicker often.. but he also built up some immunity, and when his cousins got the flu this winter, even though my son was exposed to them the whole time they were falling ill, he did not get it. I think its really a toss up. The best thing you can do is make sure the facility does everything they can to avoid the spread of germs, and teach your little one good habits, like washing their hands. Good luck

Answer 5

NO, not really. As long as your baby has a Healthy diet and resistance is not compromised with other factors (genetically).
But you should get references for your Daycare, that is what will be crucial to your babies care.
My Kids hit daycare...1st two at 5&6 yrs. Last baby was 1 year.
(they really do develope socially faster in daycare)

Answer 6

Mine doesn't and never has. He started at care 2 days a week at 3 months old and now at nearly 2 he goes 3-4 times a week.

He has been sick twice and once was a cold (touch wood) - but there is nothing to say it came from childcare.

Answer 7

whether the daycare looks great with stable, worrying team that would not' constantly advise the lecturers can get to infants spectacular away. The infants can often be the final ones to get p.c.. up particularly if their in a crib they are in a position to be ignored. some will cry for hours. There are some places the place this would not ensue whether that's all concerning to the lecturers and the director of the college. some places will additionally feed what they decide to the infants and throw away breast milk in the event that they experience that's inflicting problems, giving them formulation particularly without the mum and dad permission.

Answer 8

Yes, children who go daycare will get sick more often, but that's not necessarily such a bad thing. This is how we build our immunity.

Answer 9

Iam sure if there is daycare centre they will really take care our baby. U really need go into detail's as to why your baby is sick. Why not try both ways send to babysitter 1 week and see wat is d result.

Answer 10

Not all the time. But kids are exposed to kids in an enclosed place, so I think it is more likely.