That helpless feeling when you don’t know what to do anymore because your child is ALWAYS sick at daycare. I have been there. Feeling so guilty as I wanted to be with my child. Guilty because of all the days I had to take off from work.
Our eldest started daycare at 15 months, for a year she was always sick!
Our lives consisted out of an endless stream of ear infections, low-grade fevers, tummy bugs and at the end she also had hand foot and mouth disease. You name it; we have seen it all! I use to refer to her as ‘Patient ZERO’ because she was sick so often, and she infected us and her friends sick too.
Although illness during the first year at daycare is a reality, there are ways to reduce their occurrence.
Daycares are the perfect breeding ground for germs. You have little hands touching everything and sneezing and coughing all over each other.
Research suggests that children who attend daycare settings get less sick when they are older. However, this fact provides little solace when you are running out of family responsibility leave days, and the doctors’ bills are piling up.
RELATED: Leaving Your Baby At Daycare For The First Time: Top Tips for Mom and Baby
Here are 5 Tips When Your Child Is Always Sick At Daycare
1. Hand washing
Get back to basics and teach your child to wash hands. If your child is little, you can do it for them and also start modelling the behaviour. Also, mention it to your caregiver that they should assist your child if need be.
TIP: check if there are hand washing basins at various locations within the daycare. Example, a basin in the vicinity of the changing station is a MUST. Read further on Dettol’s tips on how to encourage hand washing to protect your family.
2. Fill up their sleep tank
Ensure your child gets as much rest as they need, herewith a sleep needs chart to check how many hours roughly per day our child needs. By having their ‘sleep tank’ full they are in a better position to fight off illnesses. A tired child is more susceptible to falling sick.
RELATED: Mommy, Please May I Sleep In Your Bed? Why I Am Okay To Say Yes to My 4 Year Old
3. Eating Fruits and Vegetables (Plus Vitamins and Immune Boosters)
Encourage your child to eat a healthy balanced diet. Herewith a useful article from Food Lover’s Market, on creative ways to encourage kids to eat vegetables. A daily vitamin is an excellent way to boost their intake, although ideally, they should obtain most of their nutrients from their food.
In some cases, immune boosters may be needed. Discuss an immune booster with your doctor.
I conducted an informal poll on my Instagram Stories and seven of the parents who commented back advised that they do provide their child with some form of immune boosters and or vitamins. However, the visits to the doctors’ rooms were still high.
4. All sick policies are not equal
My eldest who is now four years old attended two daycare facilities. The first one accepted all levels of sickness and were lax about sending kids home who was ill. The relaxed approach meant that kids tended to get sick a lot more. The second daycare had a stricter policy, and they would call you to fetch your child even if they had a runny nose. In hindsight, I prefer the second option as this ensures that the daycare environment remains healthy.
5. Check vaccine policies
Most schools require a child’s up to date vaccination card as part of the application process. For me, it gave me comfort to know that each child has been vaccinated.’
Following these tips will help you when your child is always sick at daycare.
BONUS TIP: Practically, how to deal with days off work
Two things which came through from my Instagram stories feedback are:
- If both parents or any family members can share the ‘days off’. We did this in our home and lessened the pressure at work for both my husband and me.
- Aim to organise work from home days where appropriate.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Dettol is the world’s #1 Germ Protection brand and wants to help you keep your home GERM FREE this winter!
Win this Cold & Flu Survival Kit Hamper! The Hamper consists out of a range of household cleaning and personal hygiene products, to keep your home germ free this winter!
To Enter Follow This one Easy Step
All you have to do is answer this question in the comments below.
What is your favourite Dettol product?
That is it, you are in! Good luck!
Increase your chances of winning. For extra entries do the following.
- Comment with your answer on the Facebook Give Away Post
- Comment on the Instagram Giveaway Post
Why not share this post with friends and family who could do with this hamper too?
Rules: Competition is open until Sunday 1 July. Winners will be informed by latest 6 July. Only open to SA residents, over 18 years of age. Prizes will be shipped by the agency.
Good luck!
XXX
Disclaimer: This Post was done in collaboration with Dettol South Africa.
Germs have seriously been kicking me and my family’s butt recently we are in week 4 of germs flying around so this hamper would be ama-zing! My favourite product would be Dettol antiseptic! I remember my mom throwing this into our bath every night as a child 🙆🙆🙆🙆 #holdingthumbs
💚💚💚💚💚
The Dettol Liquid Handwash is a product that I especially love and always have readily available in my home
Dettol Antiseptic Liquid us my favorite
I love the dettol bathroom cleaner. It leaves such a lovely fresh smell.. and with 2 young kids, I know my bathroom is as germ free as possible.
Dettol Citrus Handwash
My favourite is the Dettol Disinfectant Liquid.
I love the dettol kitchen cleaner – for me the kitchen needs to be the cleanest and most hygienic room in the house! One thing I hate more then winter sniffles and crèche noses is vomiting and if I can keep the food preparation clean then hopefully avoid vomiting children!
Dettol liquid handwash is my favorite!!
Has to be the Dettol handwash ☺
I love the multi-surface cream cleaner. Just because it’s so easy to use it for the toilet, floors and stove surfaces.
I didn’t even consider that lack of sleep leads to illness for kids. Good points you’re sharing.
Disinfectant liquid. Best product
Dettol soap is my favourite
The antiseptic Liquid is my favorite. I add a few drops to their bath water whenever they bath.
Love the soap .smells great
I love the Dettol handwash, it is easy on the skin, smells good and most importantly it kills germs
The Dettol handwash and sanitizer is my favourite
Love the Dettol kitchen cleaner.
Defs the Dettol liquid handwash
It really is hard to find a good childcare services. You have to check every detail about day cares and need to be strict.
So true, it’s important to be very selective. Thank you
Dettol Liquid Handwash is our family firm fave – This is a awesome giveaway #love this
I love the dettol even tone soap iv seen a major change in my skintone and the dark patch if skin between my thighs that we curvy girls get
Dettol Liquid Handwash is my favourite!
Dettol antiseptic liquid
Our youngest just started daycare and 2 weeks in we are battling tonsillitis! My favourite product has to be the Dettol Disinfectant Liquid!
As a teacher, I am in physical contact with a diverse range of learners the entire day. These learners come to school with various viruses etc. I can’t do without my dettol hand sanitizer to protect myself against germs and bacteria. Also I have dettol handwash for my Learners to use after break. This ensure non-greasy and clean books. Using dettol handwash has also made them more aware of hygiene.
Dettol Original Hand Sanitiser! I keep a small bottle in each of my car, hand bag and nappy bag! I use it on my own and my toddler’s hands. Even my husband likes to use it and asks me for it. It’s useful and gentle on my hands. Great product!
Such handy tips, my sick was on and off school continously for two months this season, it has been a nightmare.
Thanks Pam, it is quite stressful for the whole family. Don’t forget to share your favourite dettol product to enter the giveaway.
Dettol hand wash is great for hand hygiene, especially with a kid who love to bake cakes almost every day of the week! 🙂
Definitely the hand wash! I’m OCD about hand washing…mine and my kids. My husband isn’t allowed to even touch my face until he has gone to wash his hands. If he just got out of the shower, means nothing, because he touched the door and cupboard handles to get clothes out. So back to hand washing. I love the dettol hand wash…gives me great peace of mind.
Great giveaway!
My fav product is the Detol Hand Sanitizer… especially with baby around. I always sanitize before handling baby.. keeping those germs away!!!
Those hand sanitizers are fantastic, I always carry them in my handbag 🙂
Dettol Antiseptic Liquid us my favorite
l love dettol soap.
Dettol hand sanitizer
Dettol Hygiene Liquid Handwash
Dettol Hand sanitizer i cnt go a day without it.♡
The Dettol antiseptic hand wash is my favourite.
Dettol disinfectant liquid with aloe vera
The Dettol Hygiene Wipes..
Cannot leave the house without it. I even got a pack in my car!! 😆😆😆😆😆
It will help during the Winter Cold season.
Dettol Hand Sanitiser is my favourite Dettol product. I’m addicted to all things Dettol, apparently I’m a germophobe 😅😅😄😄 but my little adventure-seeker has cured me 🤗🤗😍
Dettol Hygiene Wipes are the best especially if you have a busy and adventurous 2 year old🙈😂👌
I believe it, Dettol is the world’s #1 Germ Protection brand. I always use Dettol sope. Dettol is the best soap which is famous for its high hygiene properties and ingredients which helps us to feel clean and hygiene every time after wash or bathDettol soap is the best soap for the use of washing the hands before and after meals Which cleans the hand completely.
Detail Hand sanitiser
This is a great post! My son is currently sick and hasn’t been to daycare for the last 3 days 🙁 it’s been a long week (and weekend) with my little grumpy soul!
My favourite Dettol product is the Dettol Hygiene Liquid Handwash. I have one in my kitchen and each of the bathrooms!
Dettol Bathroom cleaner is my favourite
My favourite dettol product is definitely the hand wash. I have a strict rule about everyone washing hands with dettol soap when we get home, getting rid of al lthe germs from trolleys, school, door handles etc.
Dettol hand sanitizer for sure
Wow, difficult to choose 1 product, but i definitely live by bathing every time with the Dettol Antiseptic, i was raised that way, and teach my kid that way too…. The best!
Dettol No Touch Handwash Complete Green Tea
Dettol Multi Purpose Cream