{"id":757,"date":"2022-09-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.mabelslabels.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/20\/survive-first-6-months-daycare-cold-flu-season\/"},"modified":"2025-03-28T17:47:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T17:47:39","slug":"survive-first-6-months-daycare-cold-flu-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mabelslabels.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/20\/survive-first-6-months-daycare-cold-flu-season\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Survive the First 6 Months of Daycare During Cold and Flu Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was warned that the first 6 months of daycare would be challenging. The transitions are tough, the routine is new, and illnesses are rampant. While my son was thriving in this new environment, I had no idea how sick we would be for half a year. My otherwise healthy, happy, energetic one-year-old was dealing with a new illness every week \u2013 yes, week! And so were my husband and me.<\/p>\n

The Realities of Daycare: Illnesses, Transitions, and New Routines<\/strong><\/h3>\n

My guy started daycare in September last year, just in time for the Winter germs to settle in for a long hibernation. We battled the usual suspects \u2013 cold after cold, virus after virus, and in my guy\u2019s case, five ear infections in five months. Everything came with a fever, goop, coughing, rashes, and stuffiness. We got our first call for an early pick-up on his third day. I had only been back to work for two and a half days before I had to take time off.<\/p>\n

Why Daycare Germs Are Actually Good for Your Little One:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I could deal with being sick. But when your little one is sick, they can\u2019t be in daycare. This creates an emotional and logistical nightmare. If your little one is healthy and typical and is going to daycare or school for the first time, here\u2019s my advice:<\/p>\n

1. Germs Are Good: Embrace the Early Immunity Building Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I am not really a clean-freak mom. I think germs are good! Great, even! I read a book called Let Them Eat Dirt<\/em><\/a>, which really made the case for germs in building microbes and a healthy system in those early years. Even my doctor reminded me that all of the viruses kids contract when they start daycare or school are normal. By all means, build those immunities. But you have to be prepared\u2026<\/p>\n

2. Keep it Clean: Hygiene Tips for Daycare Success<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The usual tactics aren\u2019t much of a safeguard, but do them anyway \u2013 handwashing, vitamins, flu shots, hand sanitizer (for parents), and making sure to label all the items that go to daycare with them. Colds are going to happen, but do what you can to minimize the transmission to protect others. Plus, there is some really nasty stuff out there that you can avoid with good habits.<\/p>\n

3. Make a Backup Plan for Sick Days<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019re going to have days where your kid can\u2019t go to daycare or school. And that might mean you can\u2019t go to work, or you have to call in the reinforcements. It\u2019s always good to have a backup plan ready \u2013 do you have a grandparent or sitter who can be \u2018on-call\u2019? Do you have any flexibility at work where you can shift hours, work from home, or take time off when needed? Can you and your partner take turns with a sick child? Have these conversations in advance so your plan is in place when you\u2019re covered in vomit, going on no sleep, and have a crying child in your arms. Yes, us parents have to sacrifice vacation time and pay sitters when we already pay for daycare. Yes, it\u2019s unfair, and yes we will get through it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Prepare for Sleepless Nights and Exhaustion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Flashback to those newborn days where you were up all night \u2013 and all day. A sick child can mean lots of late-night crying and snuggles. Plus, they might be teething or transitioning at the same time, which doesn\u2019t help. That means parents aren\u2019t sleeping at night, plus you\u2019re caring for a sick child all day while catching up on work. Remember that self-care is important, or you will crash. Adrenaline can only go so far.<\/p>\n

5. Know Your Health Care Options: Have a Plan for Emergencies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Make sure your Doctor\u2019s phone number is handy, know their hours, and know your options for when your Doctor is not available. Do they have an on-call service? Does your State or Province have a telephone service for healthcare questions? Where is the closest clinic? Which ER is best equipped for children? What\u2019s the parking situation there? You might need to act fast in the case of illness and it\u2019s good to have your options at your fingertips so you can make the best decision in the moment.<\/p>\n

6. Trust Your Gut: Be an Advocate for Your Child\u2019s Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I truly believe that my healthcare providers know a lot more than me \u2013 the first-time, worried mom who just googled herself into an early grave. I trust them and I listen to them, and they have been spot-on. But if your child is not right, you know. If you think you were dismissed with a cold but you know it\u2019s something more serious \u2013 push for more. If you don\u2019t think you need antibiotics for a sniffle, do your due diligence. Go with your gut.<\/p>\n

No one said that being a parent is easy, but I was not prepared for the extreme juggling act that came along with my sweet and precious bundle of germs. Like everything in parenthood, this too is a phase.<\/p>\n

How to Survive The Daycare Germs – Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/h3>\n