Is it inconsiderate to take your baby to daycare with a cold?

Question

My 5 month old son is not in daycare right now, but will need to be soon. Seems to me that the couple of colds he's had have lasted about 10 days each.. I know that once he starts daycare, he will get a lot of colds.. Am I supposed to keep him home while he has a cold? I definitely don't want to be inconsiderate to the other parents and kids, but I don't want to lose my job either.

Answer 1

I always keep my daughter home when she's sick. I don't want to get all the other kids sick, and then it cycle back around. I know it sucks taking all that time off work, but it comes with being a parent.

Answer 2

I'm a preschool teacher, and yes, you should keep your child home when they have a cold. Not for the entire time they have a cold, but usually during a cold there is a day, sometimes a couple of days that the child is just miserable and should not be in child care.

Most centers have specific policies. If they have a fever, nasal discharge any color other than clear (yellow, green), they are vomiting, having repeated episodes of loose bowels, or are in general not consolable, they should not be there. I have three children myself, and it can be a struggle. You almost need to have childcare, and then secondary child care. The first year in child care is the worst, they will get everything because it's all new germs and their bodies need to develop anitbodies.

Answer 3

I think if the child has a fever, some places won't even take them.

But just a cold...fact of life. If it's just a matter of getting over the tail end of a cold, the child will be uncomfortable but not contagious. So the first day or so, no, you probably CAN'T take the baby to daycare.

But after that...yeah, it would be nice to stay home and take care of the baby yourself, but it's not always possible. If a baby's merely sniffly/congested/mild cough...well, that happens. It should be OK to take the baby to daycare at that point.

Answer 4

My kids were never in daycare, but at preschool colds were constantly going around. But I figure if they don't catch a cold at daycare/preschool, they'll get one at the grocery store or doctor's office or any where else they go. Babies and young kids just get a lot of colds. Just follow the rules they have at the daycare and it should be fine. They will probably give you a list of the rules when you start taking him there.

Answer 5

The center/provider should have policies about this. The state should have clear rules on diarrea, vomiting, fevers, and specific conditions like pink eye (they have time frames - like "may return 24 hours after first dosage of antibiotic, and free of fever").

I would say it is inconsiderate if you lie about that your baby had a fever the night before and you bring him in the morning anyway like nothing happened. I think most parents understand runny noses, sneezing, a little coughing are just part of the daycare bargain. But if your kid is a major green snot machine one morning - you should call in to work, and call the doctor.

It just depends on the situation, regular small colds - I'd follow the daycare rules.

Answer 6

My 4 month previous has been in daycare for the reason that he grow to be 6 weeks previous and has in no way had a chilly. My oldest grow to be no longer in a daycare until he grow to be 7 months previous and by 4 months of age, I had taken him in to the surgeon 4-5 situations for a chilly (later clinically determined w/ bronchial asthma and allergic reactions). in the event that they are cleansing right, which may make a difference. although, being around different individuals, oftentimes, leaves everyone vulnerable to colds and viruses, pretty little ones. in the event that they do no longer attend daycare and bypass via this, they are going to ultimately, while they initiate Kindergarten or are uncovered to different toddlers.

Answer 7

DOuble cehck this with a doctor but I have always heard that once your child is exhibiting the outward symptoms of a cold, he is no longer capable of giving it to others. Plus? You will find one of the hard truths of daycare is that since everyone sends in their kids sick, your child will fit right in!

Now fevers? That's a different story-daycare won't allow that.

Go with your gut--you'll find that as time goes by, you might be more likely to send him in with the sniffles-after all time is money and your boss isn't going to like you missing all of that time!

Signed-

Day care mom veteran

Answer 8

It's very inconsiderate to take your sick baby to daycare. Think how you would feel if your healthy baby caught something from another child whose parent had no qualms about leaving her contagious child at daycare so that everyone else could suffer along with them? If your child gets sick, then you need to make other arrangements. That's what being a parent is all about....sacrifice and caring for your child.

Answer 9

To be totally honest... We kept our children home when they were sick ( i understand ppl have to work and put kids in daycare) But when we started our daughter in Pre-school.. she missed so much becuase other parents were sending thier kids in sick and withing a few days our daughter was sick.... we kept her home becuase its not fair to other kids to be sick if they dont have to be. So it kinda bothered my hubby and I that some parents didnt care and sent there kids sick anyways. You have to work.. i understand your reason why you'd try and send them.. I'd suggest giving him meds and hopefully that would help a bit but at 5 months.. he wouldnt have much interaction with the other kids anyways...just kinda of an iffy desision

Answer 10

yes