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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Protecting Newborns From Illness
EntropyControlSpecialist 07:41 AM 02-21-2013
I am getting slightly worried about the daycare children exposing my baby due Sept. 2 with illnesses.

I don't have anything in my handbook about simple runny noses or coughs (beyond GREEN SNOT, that is in there) but I'm slightly paranoid about even those once a newborn is in the house. I plan on keeping baby on me in a moby wrap or in the kitchen (gated off) in a swing or pack and play and baby won't be around them at all for the first month. Am I just being too paranoid? Maybe I've read too many horror stories?

What has been your experience with newborns in care with older children present?
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SilverSabre25 07:50 AM 02-21-2013
I had no problems whatsoever. My DS has been very healthy all 20 months of his darling life. I did have a "do not touch the baby" rule for the first 6 months or so (until he got mobile) along with a rule about not touching the baby's toys.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 07:55 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
I had no problems whatsoever. My DS has been very healthy all 20 months of his darling life. I did have a "do not touch the baby" rule for the first 6 months or so (until he got mobile) along with a rule about not touching the baby's toys.
How many children did you have in your care?

I have 9.
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Country Kids 07:57 AM 02-21-2013
I think it really depends on the sickness that is running through you home. Whether your baby is worn or not they still will be exposed to germs. Like I said, last week my one dck was fine and the next day, had broncitis! I would have never known he was sick-

Right now we have a friend that is a provider and the baby (2 months) is in the hospital with rsv and some other things. So she isn't able to work and I'm not sure if a sub came in or she may just have closed completely for now.
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MyAngels 07:57 AM 02-21-2013
I keep all of the baby's toys, equipment, etc. completely off limits to the older kids, as well as not allowing the older kids to hover over the baby - basically they have to stay at arms reach.

My families are all pretty good about not bringing sick children anyway, but I also tighten up my illness policies if necessary.

Along with the usual cleaning and disinfecting these things have always worked pretty well for me.

Plus, don't they say that being exposed to more germs makes for a healthier child in the long run?
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EntropyControlSpecialist 07:58 AM 02-21-2013
I just don't want to take my newborn baby to the hospital due to having an illness within the first few months. That's my goal.

We just had a bunch of kids out with the flu, now they all have hacking coughs and running noses. We wash our hands here AT LEAST 5 times per day (they're here 9 hours), I wash and sterilize all the toys, I really don't know what else I can do...

I don't know how well a "no runny nose/cough policy" would go over. I don't know of anyone else who has a policy like that.
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SilverSabre25 08:00 AM 02-21-2013
DS made 5. My limit is 6.

Unless your baby is immuncompromised it's not very likely that an illness would be that serious--especially if you breastfeed.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 08:01 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
DS made 5. My limit is 6.

Unless your baby is immuncompromised it's not very likely that an illness would be that serious--especially if you breastfeed.
Good to read. I can't afford to close due to baby being severely ill.
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SilverSabre25 08:05 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Good to read. I can't afford to close due to baby being severely ill.
Remember that if you breastfeed, not only does baby get your antibodies for whatever bug you've been exposed to, but your breasts themselves actually make antibodies for whatever the baby exposes *them* to. So baby ends up with a double hit of antibodies, basically.

Take precautions to keep your immune system healthy and you and baby should both be fine. A good probiotic, Vitamin D supplement, Vitamin B-complex, and Vitamin C are all good. Especially Vit D. That's KEY for immune function.
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NeedaVaca 08:08 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by MyAngels:
I keep all of the baby's toys, equipment, etc. completely off limits to the older kids, as well as not allowing the older kids to hover over the baby - basically they have to stay at arms reach.

My families are all pretty good about not bringing sick children anyway, but I also tighten up my illness policies if necessary.

Along with the usual cleaning and disinfecting these things have always worked pretty well for me.

Plus, don't they say that being exposed to more germs makes for a healthier child in the long run?
Exposing kids to germs yes but not a newborn...their immune systems are not mature enough to handle it. That's why Dr's say to be so careful the first 6 weeks. Breastfeeding will help build their immune systems. I don't have a lot of advice other than the obvious, wash your hands every time before picking up your baby. I'm not sure what else can be done that hasn't already been mentioned. If you have good parents just kindly ask them for the 1st 4-6 weeks to keep sick children home, even colds. Hopefully you will have the baby during months where the colds aren't as bad as they are right now
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Solandia 08:09 AM 02-21-2013
I had a June baby with a daycare, I took 2 weeks off daycare kids completely...no problems. But my families at that time were all super good about keeping sick kids out, but I did not isolate me/my baby from the other kids...being that it was June and school was out (less sickness going around).

I also had a January baby, (a foster), and he started with the daycare kids at 3 days old. He was a full term cutie, and has always been exceptionally healthy from day 1. We were smack dab in the middle of flu/RSV season, and we did have RSV & fifths go around that Jan & Feb, but he never contracted either. I did NOT keep him separated, but with all infant...don't share toys, and the older kids could only touch/kiss his feet...no kissing/no touching the face at all.

I had a March dcb preemie who started in June with me...again, the best possible time of year, wrt illness. We were extra careful that fall/winter with him though...jsut ot be on the safe side...he was healthy, although very small (like 2-3%-ile/FTT) even when age adjusted.

i have older kids anyway, who go to public school...so when I had my Jan & June babies, there really was no point in being so cautious as I had no intention of isolating them from their own siblings...and the sibling were much more likely to bring something home from school that the daycare kids who had no older siblings.

Good Luck! I have always wanted a fall baby...I was one myself ... instead I have 2 winter babies, a spring and a summer.
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Willow 08:14 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I just don't want to take my newborn baby to the hospital due to having an illness within the first few months. That's my goal.

We just had a bunch of kids out with the flu, now they all have hacking coughs and running noses. We wash our hands here AT LEAST 5 times per day (they're here 9 hours), I wash and sterilize all the toys, I really don't know what else I can do...

There's really nothing you can do to avoid all germs that could send an infant to the hospital the first few months of their lives short of putting them in a bubble lol

The same germs you're concerned about dck's bringing in will be present on friends and family coming to visit, in their homes when you visit others, at convenience and grocery stores, gas stations, doctors offices during well baby checks etc etc etc.....it just is what it is.


I remember being afraid to take my first born out of the house at all after she was born. At her two week check the nurse asked where we've been and about peed her pants giggling at me when I said nowhere because I didn't want her coming into contact with any germs. She told me that even in the womb they are susceptible to a myriad of germs and illnesses. If they're old enough to be out they're old enough to handle the run of the mill junk they're going to encounter out in the world. They HAVE to encounter that stuff to grow into healthy adults and the sooner they start the better. If I pulled something out of my cupboard to eat for breakfast and then touched my baby guaranteed that was "contaminated" with something because of how many people had touched it before I did.

I was horrified at the notion but her pediatrician confirmed and reminded me children survived infancy long before bleach, hand sanitizer, antibiotics and hospitals.

We took our first walk outside that day

The odds of a healthy term infant picking up something serious really are way smaller than you think.

Chances are despite any insight you receive here you'll obsess over it just like every other first time mom does until you see for yourself that baby is just fine regardless.

In short there's nothing to worry about, but you're normal as heck
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daycarediva 08:39 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
Remember that if you breastfeed, not only does baby get your antibodies for whatever bug you've been exposed to, but your breasts themselves actually make antibodies for whatever the baby exposes *them* to. So baby ends up with a double hit of antibodies, basically.

Take precautions to keep your immune system healthy and you and baby should both be fine. A good probiotic, Vitamin D supplement, Vitamin B-complex, and Vitamin C are all good. Especially Vit D. That's KEY for immune function.
This, plus I would keep baby gated off until mobile in a play yard and out of arms reach. I would also be super strict about my illness policy.

My own two youngest are 7 & almost 5 and were newborns in my care. I breasfed and keep them separated. They are the HEALTHIEST children I have ever KNOWN. Ds hasn't missed school in 2 years for illness (so we let him play hooky on Fridays when I have the day off! ) He and youngest ds were the only ones to NOT get the flu, or the stomach bug, or strep when it went through our family/house/daycare.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 10:26 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
There's really nothing you can do to avoid all germs that could send an infant to the hospital the first few months of their lives short of putting them in a bubble lol

The same germs you're concerned about dck's bringing in will be present on friends and family coming to visit, in their homes when you visit others, at convenience and grocery stores, gas stations, doctors offices during well baby checks etc etc etc.....it just is what it is.


I remember being afraid to take my first born out of the house at all after she was born. At her two week check the nurse asked where we've been and about peed her pants giggling at me when I said nowhere because I didn't want her coming into contact with any germs. She told me that even in the womb they are susceptible to a myriad of germs and illnesses. If they're old enough to be out they're old enough to handle the run of the mill junk they're going to encounter out in the world. They HAVE to encounter that stuff to grow into healthy adults and the sooner they start the better. If I pulled something out of my cupboard to eat for breakfast and then touched my baby guaranteed that was "contaminated" with something because of how many people had touched it before I did.

I was horrified at the notion but her pediatrician confirmed and reminded me children survived infancy long before bleach, hand sanitizer, antibiotics and hospitals.

We took our first walk outside that day

The odds of a healthy term infant picking up something serious really are way smaller than you think.

Chances are despite any insight you receive here you'll obsess over it just like every other first time mom does until you see for yourself that baby is just fine regardless.

In short there's nothing to worry about, but you're normal as heck
Yes, I got to bypass being a freak with my son since I got him at 15-years-old!

Now that I'm on my 4th pregnancy (3 losses before) I am turning into a paranoid weirdo. I'm totally NOT a bubble person when it comes to children. I raised my Godson for the first five years of his life. It's JUST the newborn stage that really freaks me out.
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cheerfuldom 10:56 AM 02-21-2013
have all the items for baby be his/her items....nothing that other kids use. dont allow them to touch baby and preferably not in coughing distance. wash your hands every time you go from kids to baby. its worth the extra work. this isnt about being paranoid. its about keeping an infant safe. to me, every infant has "compromised immunity" for the sole fact of age. if an infant is taken to the hospital with a fever, they do an assortment of tests on them immediately. many hospitals require things like a spinal tap! its better to do the extra work and keep baby away from the daycare kids for as long as possible.
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SunnyDay 11:24 AM 02-21-2013
We have between 8-10 kids per day here, and our 2 babies who started last fall have stayed quite healthy. When the stomach flu hit everyone else, they were fine. They don't play with the same toys as the big kids, so they don't get nearly the germs. I think wearing baby and trying to keep him/her separate for the first few months will be a great plan. Good luck!
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NeedaVaca 01:21 PM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
have all the items for baby be his/her items....nothing that other kids use. dont allow them to touch baby and preferably not in coughing distance. wash your hands every time you go from kids to baby. its worth the extra work. this isnt about being paranoid. its about keeping an infant safe. to me, every infant has "compromised immunity" for the sole fact of age. if an infant is taken to the hospital with a fever, they do an assortment of tests on them immediately. many hospitals require things like a spinal tap! its better to do the extra work and keep baby away from the daycare kids for as long as possible.


Yes, a newborn with a fever will get a spinal tap at almost any hospital.
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Scout 04:30 AM 02-22-2013
like the others said...BREASTFEED!! Breast milk is absolutely amazing stuff! I have used it on diaper rash, for pink eye, etc. There was a study where they actually found stem cells in breast milk too! How cool is that! A lot of us have breastfed, myself for 7 mos supplementing with formula for ds1, 18 mos breast milk only til 12 mos for ds2! For both I pumped milk also since I worked away from them. If you need any advice, etc you can PM me after baby is born too. There are also sites that are great for questions on this such as cafemom, mamapedia, and more! I found I was always looking at this stuff with my youngest since it was sometimes a struggle to be able to pump him 2-3 bottles for dc but, we made it and I am so glad I didn't throw in the towel! Good luck in whatever you choose, there is nothing wrong with formula either if you decide to go that route, I just loved breast feeding so I am very prone to side with it if mom and baby can both do it!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:26 AM 02-22-2013
Originally Posted by Scout:
like the others said...BREASTFEED!! Breast milk is absolutely amazing stuff! I have used it on diaper rash, for pink eye, etc. There was a study where they actually found stem cells in breast milk too! How cool is that! A lot of us have breastfed, myself for 7 mos supplementing with formula for ds1, 18 mos breast milk only til 12 mos for ds2! For both I pumped milk also since I worked away from them. If you need any advice, etc you can PM me after baby is born too. There are also sites that are great for questions on this such as cafemom, mamapedia, and more! I found I was always looking at this stuff with my youngest since it was sometimes a struggle to be able to pump him 2-3 bottles for dc but, we made it and I am so glad I didn't throw in the towel! Good luck in whatever you choose, there is nothing wrong with formula either if you decide to go that route, I just loved breast feeding so I am very prone to side with it if mom and baby can both do it!
I plan to breastfeed until at least 2. I'm on of "those moms" in every way.
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Loveyoustinkyface 05:44 AM 02-22-2013
Breastfeeding is an amazing thing! You just can't go wrong

Wear your lil one as often (and comfortably) as you can!

Wash your hands often

Don't let too many people touch your baby, everyone always wants to touch babies hands and feet....which is what babies stick in their mouths

Have a strict policy on not allowing children around that have just been immunized.

Good luck!!!!!
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laundrymom 06:16 AM 02-22-2013
I've not read all responses but can offer my own experiences.
Took 2 days off w my son. Plus a weekend. Had 4 kids in care.
Took the same w dd #1, 6 kids
4 w/2nd dd 10 kids incl her
9 w/third dd. 10 kids incl her

They are now 21,19,14&11.
We've filled 3prescriptions total.
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Willow 06:20 AM 02-22-2013
Originally Posted by NeedaVaca:


Yes, a newborn with a fever will get a spinal tap at almost any hospital.
I'd seriously question the intent and judgment of a doctor who insisted on newborns with fevers getting spinal taps across the board..... The notion is fear mongering at best.


There are loads of alternatives to just jumping right to a spinal tap over a mere fever. Thank goodness most pediatricians have more common sense than that and parents have the right not to consent to such an invasive procedure if it really doesn't make any sense to go to those lengths.
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SilverSabre25 06:28 AM 02-22-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
I'd seriously question the intent and judgment of a doctor who insisted on newborns with fevers getting spinal taps across the board..... The notion is fear mongering at best.


There are loads of alternatives to just jumping right to a spinal tap over a mere fever. Thank goodness most pediatricians have more common sense than that and parents have the right not to consent to such an invasive procedure if it really doesn't make any sense to go to those lengths.
^^^ AGREED.

That's kind of like ordering a CT scan for a hangnail IMO.
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Country Kids 06:32 AM 02-22-2013
Breasting feeding is the best but please don't rely on that as a instant thought that little one won't get sick.

I exclusively breast feed my youngest for 12-14 months and they had their share of illnesses. I also was only able to take a week off.

My nephew excusively breast feed then organic fed, seems sick all the time. Was home with mom the first four months, exposed to others but not in childcare.

Another nephew breast feed and sees to always have something wrong.

That are just a few examples I know personally with kids being breastfeed. I know you can read, get tons of examples about breastfeeding and kids not getting sick but its not an instant guarantee that they won't.
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Vesta 07:41 AM 02-22-2013
Just remember that some kids are just going to come down with everything that happens to walk through your door (or the door of anywhere you happen to visit).
My 13 month old got his very own nebulizer when he was 6 months.

Still going strong on the breast feeding, but he just looks at another kid with a runny nose and his starts going.

He's never even been a mouther but he's always catching something, even when none of the other dcks manage to.
My dh and I were actually talking about how it was a good thing I was breast feeding or the kid would have probably lost a lung by now--jk.

Just try to keep them out of the baby's face and away from school age kids.
I think they are the ones that are a bit on the typhoid Mary side.
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