Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

In the past month, Abby has fallen prey to a few typical childhood illnesses keeping her from day care. It is hard to pinpoint how and where she contracted them. It could have been at day care (more than likely) or it just as easily could have been through me as I teach in a setting where childhood illnesses run rampant and I could have brought something home to her. In either case, it is irrelevant. Point is, my kid got sick and she has had to be out of day care for a total of about 2 weeks in the month of April.

This last time, it was bronchiolitis on the heels of pink eye which was a week past an ear infection from a cold. She was not in day care this past week at all as she was home getting nebulizer treatments 3 times a day.

Besides DH and I each taking one day off in the weeks she was home, we enlisted my MIL, each of my sisters and one of my SILs to watch her in those two weeks so that we could minimize the days off we take in a row or in one week. These family members have used their own sick days to help us.

As it stands right now, Abby is no longer contagious and has been fever free for almost 4 days, but still requires nebulizer treatments that we give at home for her congestion. Her nose runs a little but not like a faucet. All nasal secretions are clear and her coughing is sporadic at best. There is no fluid in her lungs as told to us by her pediatrician as of Wednesday. Her spirit is fine. She is happy and active, but she is still coughing.

I know there are kids in day care with allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues that require nebulizer treatments and still go to day care. I have seen plenty with green gook dripping and it is what it is. I have never sent Abby in with green/yellow gook.

My question is to the BTDT parents. Would you, based on the symptoms I described, send Abby in to day care tomorrow? I am concerned #1 for her health and #2 for the other kids. She could feasibly have the cough for a while before she is 100% cleared up and we are both running out of days to take off. I swore I wouldn't be THAT MOM to send her in sick.

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

yes I would send her. my rule of thumb is no green mucous, no vomiting, no high fever, she goes in

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

I would send her....when DS had bronchilitis the ped told me that the cough could last up to 6 weeks.

As long as she's not listless or feverish I think she is fine to go back.

Good luck!!! I remember those days quite unfondly (if that's even a word)!

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

Posted by Mikismom

yes I would send her. my rule of thumb is no green mucous, no vomiting, no high fever, she goes in

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

I defiitely would send her in. Whenever DD is sick, I always ask the doctor how long she has to be home. DD has had bronchiolitis, ear infections, colds, etc and it has never been more than a few days in a row as long as there is no fever and DD is in good spirits. Soon after they start meds, they are no longer contagious and they're immune system is stronger. HTH!

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

Thank you so much. Abby will always come first. However, I have some serious professional obligations that require me to be there and sometimes I feel as if I am putting other people's kids before my own child.

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

We have been going through a very similar situation with Brynne. Based on everything you described I would 100% send her to daycare tomorrow. How many times a day is she having the nebulizer treatments? We actually give the nebulizer to the school and they give her treatments twice a day, so I am sure they would be willing to give them as well if Abby needed it. Brynne's cough also seems to be lingering. It has gotten much better, but at the rate we are going she would never attend daycare if we didn't send her with the cough.

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

I would send her. Just give her the neb treatment before you leave when you get home and then again when you pic her up...She will be fine!

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

Yes I would send her in with the symptoms you described.

I know it's not always possible to keep the infants from exchanging toys but I would ask a favor of the teachers to try to keep the exchanges down to a minimum.

I know it's nerve wracking & remember feeling like my baby could never catch a break because he was getting sick week after week with something new. You may want to ask the ped about acidiphulus if you haven't already. I do feel that it was the immune boost that my son needed after being on so many anitbiotics.

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

I would send her!

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

Posted by Goldi0218

Posted by Mikismom

yes I would send her. my rule of thumb is no green mucous, no vomiting, no high fever, she goes in

Thanks. Would you be at all concerned for her immune system being strong enough that she wouldn't get sick all over again?

Re: Question for BTDT Mom's of infants in day care (LONG)

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by Goldi0218

Posted by Mikismom

yes I would send her. my rule of thumb is no green mucous, no vomiting, no high fever, she goes in

Thanks. Would you be at all concerned for her immune system being strong enough that she wouldn't get sick all over again?

I would be concerned but not enough to keep her home....In daycare situations they get sick alot, I think it actually makes their immune system stronger in the long run