My 4yo has been getting colds since going to preschool. He usually then passes them on to his 18mo brother. I usually try to prevent this but was wondering if its better if the younger brother gets the cold and will it build his immunity? Or should i keep them seperated, which is very difficult. Is there any benefit for the younger brother to get the cold? Or is it better to try to keep him well and only have one child with a cold?
As much as I hate the fact that the kids spread viruses to each other, I can't figure out how to avoid it. Only when my son was a newborn (under 4mos) I kept the kids on separate floors when his sister caught a cold.
I don't know if it is beneficial or not. But I just can't see any way to keep my kids separated at their current ages. So...I try not to worry about it too much, even though I don't like it. Good luck!!
Keeping kids apart for a cold is difficult and not necessary. Our 8 year old used to get tons of colds when she was younger from other kids in day care...she now has the immune system of a horse. Our younger one wasn't in day care, didn't get a lot of colds and now she gets sick fairly easily. I wouldn't suggest rubbing a snotty kleenex all over your baby or encouraging him to get a cold just don't go insane trying to prevent it. That being said--I am talking just about colds...strep throat, fevers, bacterial infections are another thing...try to keep the toys clean, door knobs sprayed off and keep everyone healthy. Good luck Mom.
I look at it as if one is sick the other one will more than likely get sick. I have a 3 1/2 yo and a 18 mon old. Recently my 3 1/2 yo got a cold and double ear infection, I also got the flu, my 1 1/2 yo and husband didnt get sick at all. We didnt confine ourselves to just one room, since you can sometimes stay sick longer that way. I dont think its a big deal if they both get a cold. I did breastfeed my son longer and hes never gotten really sick. This is also the first time my 3 1/2 yo has been on medication for being sick. I guess its up to you if you decide to separate them or not, but like you said that is very hard to do.
I wouldn't, and by the time you notice symptoms they have already been contagious for a day, I believe.
But I also don't know if it helps with immunity to catch things from siblings - my younger son was still sick all the time the first year he went to daycare (started at age 1). It's so hard to predict - it's not unusual for one of them to have a cold and the other one never gets it (usually the older one doesn't catch it), even though they share a bedroom. We only try to keep them apart if it's something like a stomach virus/more serious illness.
Hi L.!
My daughter turned 3 in August and just got sick for the first time with the flu and has never had a cold. Since she was just over 1 week old and just got out of NICU (preemie) she has been exposed to all kinds of things... from spending over a week in the ICU with her older brother, taking friends and visiting them in the hospital, going to friends homes while kids are sick with fevers, stomach issues and colds etc, and having therapists etc come to our house while being sick. I have NEVER avoided illnesses!
I just asked a Dr last week about how she has gone so long without so much as the sniffles and if her controlled exposures had something to do with it as I have believed for the last 2 years when everyone but her has been ill. He agreed 100% that it def makes a big difference in building a natural immunity to these illnesses. Although he does not encourage this to be done with anyone with a compromised immune system. He says that between the exposures and her vitamin intake that is what has kept her so healthy.
This is the first year that I have given her the flu shot and the H1N1 shot. She got sick 3 days after the H1N1 shot... not that is what caused her to get sick but it compromised her immune system since she had a major allergic reaction to it. Otherwise I think she would have even avoided getting the flu.
The flu she just had is suspected to be the H1N1 one since she got the flu shot over a month prior. It lasted her only 3 days of fever but a week of the rest of the symptoms. The Dr also agrees this is because of exposures and vitamins.
I obviously am not suggesting to go out and have a child lick the ER floor or have people cough and sneeze all over him... but to expose him in a controlled enviroment such as your home to your other child should not cause major issues. Of course using proper hand washing etc too!
I hope you guys all have a happy and healthy winter! Many blessings to you and yours!
The best thing you can do is try to keep from using the same cups, making sure hands are washed a lot!! Not using the same towel to wipe their hands, etc. You probably can control more of your 18 month old's sanitary behavior. Especially if he still puts things into his mouth.
The best thing is to have your body's immune system well boosted during these months of cold/flu, etc. I use probiotics and Vitamin D3 during this time. If a family member happens to come down with something (that is a rarity), it doesn't spread to anyone else.
Just common sense and eating good, supplementation and getting rest. If the sun is out and it's a fairly nice day, get out and get some fresh air!
If you're interested in anything, please let me know! I'd be happy to help. I've been there and done that - 3 kids! Here's to a healthy season for your whole family!
K.
Wellness Consultant
