In Sickness and In Health

It's only been about a month since I started taking Tori to various story times and other structured play groups. While the benefits have been tremendous--Tori is getting socialized and is learning to play well with others, and is getting taught lots of cool new songs and stuff--there have been some side effects. Like the croup (which Tori is finally starting to get over).

Since we first went to our first story time only 35 days ago, Tori has had a nearly non-stop runny nose, at least one seriously bad cold, and now the croup. Charlie and I have both been sick as well, and I developed a bronchitis serious enough that it took two rounds of antibiotics to beat it back (I'm prone to lung stuff, being a lifelong asthmatic and a former smoker. Lung bacteria lurves me).

I realize this is pretty run-of-the-mill stuff for most people, especially those who have kids in daycare. Because Tori was pretty much sequestered from other kids until recently, she is only now starting to get sick (prior to this last month, she had one stomach bug, and one cold, in over a year). But since it's all new to me, I'm finding that I have a bunch of questions. First, is being sick actually good for her--does fighting off these minor illnesses help build her immune system (as I've been led to believe)? Secondly, is there any thing more I can do to protect her (other than keeping her home)? Third, what (if any) impact is her continuing breast feeding having on these illnesses?

I've always been pretty relaxed about her bacteria and germ exposure because I firmly believe that American society has become germ obsessed. Bacteria exist for a reason, and our obsession with killing them is causing major environmental problems. Bacteria are, after all, alive--and they want to stay that way. So when we beat them back with antibiotics, they fight back and become "super bugs" that are resistant to most antibiotics. Persistent use of antibacterial products in the home has the same affect. A study in 2004 by the Annals of Internal Medicine found that using those products in the home did NOTHING to decrease the number of illnesses the folks in the house had (think of all the money wasted on these antibacterial products--sheesh).

There is also a little something called the Hygiene Hypothesis. This theory holds that the massive increase in diseases like asthma are due to humanity becoming a bit too clean; that our immune systems don't have to work very hard anymore and we are therefore becoming ill more easily. This makes a lot of sense to me, based on personal experience.

When I was an infant, I had asthma. This wasn't all THAT long ago (not quite forty years)--and asthma was so incredibly rare then that no one was willing to diagnose me with it. Even though I started suffering asthma attacks when I was not much younger than Tori is now, I didn't actually receive the label of "asthmatic" until I was five. In school, my asthma was ignored and dismissed by nearly everyone--even my teachers--until I would wheeze so hard that I couldn't stand up. It was a new disease--and that was in the 1970s. Now, nearly 5% of all Americans are now diagnosed with asthma. 

I don't know about you, but that's pretty overwhelming information right there.

Hygiene Hypothesis suggests that children, in particular, benefit from exposure to both bacteria and allergens. Farm children are far less likely to have hay fever and other allergies than city kids. In a wild touch of irony, kids in countries that routinely get intestinal parasites NEVER get irritable bowel disease or Crone's disease. Younger children in large families tend to develop fewer allergies than other kids, possibly because of the bacteria exposure they get from their older siblings.

So if you buy into the Hygiene Hypothesis, Tori is going to ultimately benefit from being sick now, even if I hate it, and she is uncomfortable. Truth is, Tori doesn't get all that sick when she's ill, and never stays sick for very long. The virus that gave me the bronchitis only lasted two days for Tori. The stomach flu that caused Charlie to vomit over 70 times in three days made her throw up only once. Personally, I believe that breastfeeding is one of the reasons why Tori is able to combat these illnesses so easily, and this article here agrees with me (in fact, that article claims that "premature" termination of nursing can make kids sicker, which could explain my asthma since my mother--like so many moms--was only able to nurse me for a few weeks. I mention this not to make moms feel bad--I promise--I just found it interesting personally). However, Tori's buddy Sam who lives two doors down from us is also still nursing (at two) and he's been chronically ill with various ear and respiratory ailments his whole life (and his mom is vegan and pretty healthy herself). So, basically, who fucking knows? It seems like a crap shoot.

The last point I want to consider is this: how can I help Tori's immune system more? I hope to keep nursing her until she's at least two (I'm going to try--my constant migraine battle may interfere), but what else can I do?

Ironically, lately we Americans have come to embrace some bacteria--the bacteria that lives in yogurt. Of course, no one calls that bacteria; we call it "live cultures" and "probiotics." But no matter how you slice it, it IS bacteria--but good bacteria. This bacteria actually helps your intestinal track provide you with immunity. There are lots of new products out there capitalizing on this trend, and even Moxie agrees that probiotics can help a number of ailments and overall health (and we all know that Moxie's word is law). We do try to give Tori yogurt daily (she likes the "tubes" which I can cut a teeny tiny hole in and she can toddle around sucking on), but she doesn't always want it. Moxie suggests using unsweetened Kefir, and I might try adding some of that to Tori's milk.

What about vitamins? We haven't been giving Tori vitamins. It appears that the experts don't agree on the vitamin issue, but most agree that as long as they aren't too high-test they can't hurt. What about herbs? Sites like this one suggest that herbs such as echinaceia and others can help boost Tori's immunity, but I don't know. I use herbs personally, but since they aren't very well regulated and some herbs have been found to have both much higher and much lower chemical elements in them than the bottles claim, I'm not sure how safe it is (I know there will be plenty of you that know of some brand of herbs that is really! truly! safe! but still).

One lucky stroke of fate that may help Tori's immunity in the long run is that she has not yet been exposed to antibiotics (other than what may have filtered in through my breast milk). That's not due to any line in the sand we drew or anything, it's merely the luck of the draw and the fact that Tori has not been sick enough--yet--to need them. That's apparently good news, though, since recently a link between antibiotic use and asthma has been found. There is also little doubt now that antibiotics also kill off the "good" bacteria in our systems (that's why we women always get a yeast infection when we take antibiotics--I've always been able to fight this off by eating yogurt every day I take any antibiotics), and the lack of "good" flora and fauna in our intestines can decrease our resistance to viruses.

Ultimately, I have no more answers after reading through all of the links I provided above than I did before. I do feel like my basic instincts are correct, and I can list things in good and bad categories. "Good" being probiotics, extended breastfeeding, vitamins, and basic hand washing in soap and water. "Bad" is (unnecessary) antibiotics and anti-bacterial products*.

So I guess I will mostly continue to go on as I have been. The only things I plan to change is to put more effort into keeping things out of Tori's mouth (the toys at the library--yikes), washing her hands more, and adding in a daily vitamin and more probiotics. Other than that, I guess Tori is just going to have to spend some time being sick.

Next, working on my own immunity issues so that I don't need two courses of antibiotics to get over a serious bronchial infection. Sigh.

*You will note that I did not bring up vaccines. That's because I don't want to talk about them here. If you feel like you must discuss them, do it kindly and without judgment. I do not want a vaccine war here, please, I'm begging you. If we can be civil about abortion, surely we can be civil about the whole vaccine issue. And if you are wondering, yes, we vaccinate. But I have no feelings WHATSOEVER about whatever decision you've made on that issue. M'kay?

Comments

[Jenni]

1.

My theory - the immune system - us it or lose it. And if she didn't get the stuff now she will eventually. She can't live in a bubble. On the bright side things slow down after a while one she gets better at fighting it. And then you'll have it over with!

It is a crap shoot. A crap shoot with lots of blame that can be thrown at the mom, something I am sure you'd be talking about if Tori was in daycare.

I am on the same page with you about the hygeine hypothesis. But that hasn't stopped my little man from having allergies to something and some asthma symptoms, no doubt inherited from the husband and I.

After we debate vaccines can we debate circumcision?! Just kidding :)

[Maria]

2.

We just do the basics--hand washing with soap and warm water (sing Happy Birthday 2x while you scrub). I avoid hand sanitizers unless I've got no other option. Nurse as long as you both want, I'd say. Doesn't the WHO say 2 yrs? My son just started preschool, and he's been sick much less so far than the year he started daycare.

[ellemenope]

3.

From my own personal experience, my kids have grown up around livestock: we have horses, used to have goats, have chickens, etc. And they were always eating dirt and I am sure in some way shape or form some gross stuff ended up in their mouths after horseback riding or goat milking, gardening or egg collecting. The result? My kids are almost never sick. My brother's kids on the other hand are the product of my SIL's obsession with making sure everything is spotless -- almost Howard Hughes like. She scrubs everything, all the time. Their result? Their kids are always sick -- once even to the point of hospitalization with ecoli. To me that shows the "build up the immunity by eating dirt" theory :-)

[jax]

4.

My mum, a retired nurse, always says that air is the best healer!!!! She does tend to exaggerate a wee bit BUT on many levels it's true (although probably not if you live in a highly polluted environment) What I do suspect though is that air conditioning and on the other side poor ventilation in homes attributes to poor health.

[Kermit]

5.

In cleaning, I use the natural antibacterials -- good old tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and lavender oil. The latter are pricey but each batch of cleaner needs very few drops, so it lasts quite a while.

We are very into handwashing -- and when I'm running around all day, we use hand sanitizer. I'm working through a developed phobia of vomit and vomiting, brought on by two hospital visits brought on by stomach flu. (Reading about Charlie vomiting SEVENTY TIMES is a horror story to me.) I've been using the products, hand-washing, and sanitizer for the past year, and it's been a healthier year for us (the hand-washing alone would account for most of that, I am sure).

The best I can do is expect a superbug, prepare the best I can, and take steps to make sure I don't contribute to others developing. I love these natural cleaning products, because they are cheap, smell great, and the worst thing in them is borax.

I also nurse for at least 18 months. My formula-fed son had more allergy and breathing problems than the breastfeeders. Anecdotal evidence again, but it's my own and it's what I witnessed.

[Celeste]

6.

I think you are overthinking what you may actually be able to control.

Age 18 months to 3 years was when my daughter had her greatest amount of colds. I think it is because that age child is just a natural home for bugs--they put their hands on everything, they put their hands in their mouth, they don't cover when they sneeze or cough on each other, and they can't really tell you they are becoming ill so you can keep them away from other kids. You do develop an eye for it, though.

I know of no proof that it's good to encourage viral spreading or try to prevent it. With a child her age, it seems to be just a part of life.

I think you can drive yourself crazy in prevention methods. JMHO. I also know it's no fun when they are sick.

I'm not sure croup is contagious, though. I think it's just something some kids get. Mine was in daycare 50 hours a week and never once had it, for example.

[Greta]

7.

When I was born I only had one vein and one artery in my umbilical cord. You are supposed to have two arteries. As a result I had almost no immune system as a child and was extremely prone to illness. I also had asthma until I was about 11 years old. My doctors told my mom that the best thing for me (once I was past infancy) was NOT to restrict my activities in any way - because being outside and being exposed to germs was the only way to strenghten my immune system.

[Geohde]

8.

Ah,

No matter how good a kids immune system intriniscally is, this is the age at which they get exposed to everything for the first time. Kind of immunity school 101. The more bugs the better. Even children of school age get at least twelve seperate colds a year.

:)

Just stock up on the kleenex and be prepared for the lot of you get get more colds!

[Kayla]

9.

My son was breastfed for 20 months, and was really overall pretty healthy until about month 9 or 10, and that's when the ear infections started. He has such SEVERE reactions to an infection of any kind, we're talking 105 fevers for a cold. His little immune system over reacts to everything, like mosquito bites cause huge, red, hot, welts the size of his fist to spring up. He has been on lots of antibiotics for the ears, and while I would rather avoid them if possible, he needed them. He's never had any that weren't warranted, and I want to keep it that way. I just have to wonder if his immune responses are due to the antibiotics given almost monthly from 9-15 months. Sigh.

[AmyinMotown]

10.

I'm not really a firm believer in "get her all germed up, it's good for her!" after having a traumatic experience right before Christmas last year (high fever, truly awful urgent care visit, very sick little girl). Maggie had RSV at seven weeks old and that was one of the worst times of my whole life--I wish I'd been more vigilant about people touching her. It's a cold, somtimes a minor one, to adults but can be really serious in teeny tiny babies. We were lucky that she wasn't that sick, but she did have trouble breathing and it's very common for kids to get hospitalized for it.

That said, I don't think it's a good idea AT ALL to get too anal about germs especially after they are 1 year old. We enforce handwashing, but just use normal soap, and she kisses the dog on the mouth and so on. She was sick ALL THE TIME last fall--we spent the entire month of October either sick (both of us) or injured (me). So far this year it's been much better, I think because she has exposed to everything last year.

My friends who are teachers tell me they get sick like crazy the first two years and then hardly ever again--same with kids in daycare.

[Kate]

11.

One more way anti-bacterial products suck:
Last year when buying a house, our home inspector pointed this out, and I'm not sure why I hadn't connected it before, but septic tank problems have become extremely prevalent since the increase in popularity of anti-bacterial products.
He urged us to never use anti-bac hand soap because it kills good bacteria as well as bad, and it doesn't stop once you wash it down the drain. Since the septic tank system operates on keeping bacteria happily decomposing the waste, when you kill them off, suddenly your tank can no longer contain the, uh, "products" of your household. Ick (an expensive ick).

Your post just made me think of that, and I thought I'd share...

[Spacemom]

12.

Quick repsonse-

Both kids went/go to daycare.
One ended up in hospital with dehydration from a rotavirus.

HOWEVER, once they hit their second birthday, they have rarely been ill.

Our pediatrician says "I either see them young, or when they start kindergarten"

We live on the eat dirt theory. If they eat dirt and live, eh, they'll be fine!

[Michelle]

13.

Parenting is tough!

I don't really have any advice...my kids have always been in daycare and they rarely get sick. I think we're just lucky when it comes to that.

I hope your little one gets to feeling better soon.

[jeanie]

14.

Okay - just reading the comments triggered one of my all time phobias - NEVER LET A DOG LICK YOUR FACE OR MOUTH - there have been epidemics of hydatids in the past.

While the "get em germed up" theory works great, there are some real nasties out there, so don't go out of your way to find them.

At this age there are more colds as someone above said - as you have less control over their hand/mouth thing anyway.

Just keep a close eye on any colds and make sure that she doesn't get too stuffy - and if she does, invest in a vapouriser - because ear infections are truly yucky!

If you thought croup was bad (from another veteran of the "my child is dying, get to emergency" brigade here), ear infections will make you believe your child wants to die from the pain. Go the pink medicine - and yoghurt. Oh - BTW - some "kids" yoghurts - fairly high in sugar. Just saying.

[Natalee]

15.

I'm having to try and build and immune system as an adult, since as a child I was perpetually ill and on antibiodics. Part of this problem is/was my asthma. The steroids that are in my inhalor, and that I have to occasionally take orally (usually during a bronchial infection, just to breathe), are immuno-suppressors. Compounding my problem is my genetic issues-I have both rhumetoid arthritis and endometriosis, both of which are auto-immune disorders. Oh, and I'm (deadly) allergic to penecillan.

Once all of this data regarding antibacterial use contributing to the "superbugs" out there came out, I made a conscious effort to try and curb what I could. I do use anti-bacterial soap in the home, but I'm not the obsessive germ-freak handwasher I once was. I also don't run to the Dr. at the first sign of a cold. I try to ride everything out as long as possible, before seeking medical treatment. Thus far, my experiment seems to be working. In the past month, both a cold and stomach flu have circulated at work and to various family members. I was the only one who did not fall ill.

[RainbowW]

16.

all i'll tell you to do is clean your nipples regularly.

or, if you want to be family-oriented about it, let charlie do it. that might be fun.

[Julie]

17.

According to my SIL (who is a pediatrician) and my own ped - it's either now or later. Kids are going to either build their immune system very early through interaction with other children (usually in day care) or later - in kindergarten.

I agree completely that we have become overly concerned with germs and bacteria. Hell, Dylan hides pretzels under the sofa/chairs, etc. and munches away whenever he finds something. First time I almost died but my house is clean - if he doesn't mind a few cat hairs - why should I.

Oh, and studies have also shown that children who live with pets have less allergies :)

I don't think giving herbs is a good idea. Her immune system should develop naturally. Just because something is "herbal" doesn't mean it's safe.

Dylan's first year in day care - I was sick all the time. I've noticed my immune system has improved right along side of his.

[Jo-Ann]

18.

You know how often the kids were sick in daycare. A only went to daycare for 2 months! I have to say as a 4 year old R is RARELY ever sick. I think it is a combination of exposure and the fact he nursed till be was almost 2.5. The kid has not had antibiotics in almost 1.5 years. When A had foot and mouth disease R hardly got any symptoms.

A only went to daycare for 2 months. He has gotten sicker more often these 2 past winters. He didn't have it all concentrated all at once. He gets things easier than R but is starting to enter the age where he is sick less. We have not been to the pediatrician for a sickness since June.

I think getting over the sickies at this age is easier. My sister always says that the more they are exposed young the less they are sick older. It has been true for her kids and it is true so far for mine.

I have been getting sick less since I started handling people's dirty glasses all night. When I used to work at the bar I was almost never sick. At the office I was sick more and now that I am back at the bar I am hardly sick again, and I get so little sleep.

Could Tori's runny nose be seasonal allergies? Pediatricians can tell looking in the nose and the color of the mucous membranes. I know for Aaron and I fall is the worst and he takes Claritin daily and does much better.

Good Luck in whatever decision you make

[-erica]

19.

Yes, ditto what Julie said, there is a study that says that children who grow up with cats and/or dogs have less allergies. Which makes me feel good about my own dog/cat ownership. HOWEVER, I grew up with NO pets because my father has bad cat-induced asthma - the very same father who grew up with dogs around the house. He grew up with pets but is allergic; I grew up with none and I am fine. My family is a direct contradiction to that study! So I suppose the moral is, do what works for you...!

[Amy]

20.

Yes its helping her. Stinks for you though.

[electriclady]

21.

I don't have any advice to offer but just wanted to say that I've been thinking about this a lot lately--my husband (SAHD) has been wanting to go back to work part-time, so we've been talking about putting our 8-month-old in daycare two days a week...just in time for cold and flu season. Not sure how comfortable I am with that.

[Miss W]

22.

Because my son was born at 29 weeks gestation, I have two minds on this. While on the one hand, I think Americans as a whole are over-medicated, overly cautious and generally causing themselves to be unable to survive in the world as it actually exists -- I also had to learn that even the most innocent of illnesses could spell huge danger. At nearly 2, it's not the danger it once was, but it's hard not to see monsters lurking in every corner, ya know?

Our rules are that we wash hands regularly, never share toys that have been in someone else's mouth (he can play with public toys, but not if I saw it in someone else's mouth and not anywhere near his mouth, hands washed immediately after), no accidental sips from someone else's cup, binkies don't go back in the mouth if they fall to the floor or the sucky part has touched a table in public. We also don't allow playdates with kids who have runny noses, cold symptoms, etc. (Adults with those symptoms have to exercise caution -- no holding, no sharing food/drinks, cover that cough, etc.)

And that's since we relaxed our standards!

[Laura]

23.

one thing to keep in mind with the hand sanatizers are kids put their hands into their mouths. the hand sanatizers are mostly alcohol and a few kids have had to be rushed to the hospital with alcohol poisioning.

as for breast feeding my son lasted 6 months (he was a biter)my daughter 13 months and i got sick had pneumonia and the worry of crossing steroids to her caused my dr to force me to stop. Had i known then what i know now i would have pumped and dumped for a couple weeks as it was so traumatic for her.

we had bouts of daycare illnesses when they were young and i did many trips to the ER with my son for the croup it is very scarey so i totally understand. my kids are now 19 and 15( or almost 16 as she says) both are healthy and happy and we did not over protect them ever against bugs or normal childhood illnesses. of course we treated ones that were out of control but thank goodness i had a peditrician who absolutely used antibotics as a last resort.

keep on doing what you are doing you sound like a great mom and i do enjoy your blog
hugs Laura

[Lisa]

24.

Not to get too graphic but since I started taking acidophilus and cranberry supplements depending on the occasion, I haven't gotten a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection (for about three years). If you think of things as a delicate balance, and you take acidophilus or cranberry depending on the symptom, it works way better than taking prescription medication which never really worked for me and always just ended up causing more problems.

[chrystal]

25.

I am still breastfeeding at 23 months. My wee one has been in day care since 5 months. I don't think the bf has totally protected her from getting sick, but I believe it has minimized the illnesses she has had.

She got RSV and a couple of rotaviruses last year, but she wasn't an infant at that time so that may have played a part in her not being as affected as a 3m.o. would be. When she has been ill and stops eating solids, she has always breastfed. Some of her classmates have made trips to the hospital for oxygen or dehydration. But I never seriously worried since she has always taken the breast during her food strikes.

Maybe that's naive of me. I'm only working with a sample of one.

[KG]

26.

Have you tried Olive Leaf Extract for your bronchial stuff?? I find it VERY helpful, and it has kicked butt when even antibiotics didn't.

[Karen]

27.

I agree with all about sicknesses now or later. The older your child is when they are first exposed the easier the illnesses will be, which is why I think it's better, if it's possible, to keep infants out of daycare. I'm sure Tori will be fine with the limited exposures she's getting. My girls started daycare at 18 months, and now they are in elementary and seldom ill. Plane travel always gets us, tho.

Anyway, about nursing and immunities...I came to believe that after the immunities baby gets from being in utero are used up (about 6 months), the immunities in breast milk are mostly effective against gastritis. After all, you're not giving her breast milk as in a nasal wash, right? ;-)

Nursing toddlers is great when/if gastritis does strike, because it is much better to give breastmilk than pedialyte, trust me.

Hope all are better soon! And by the way, you might consider taking singulair and a flu shot to protect yourself while Torrie's in these early childhood years.

[caroline]

28.

My twins are Tori's age and I just wanted to thank you for all your timely posts and the discussion that you create - they have all really hit home with me and have been issues that I have been thinking about - this one and the t.v. one especially. Hope that your whole household is feeling better soon!!

[Mrs. A (Terry)]

29.

Haven't read all the comments yet, but I will once I type this.

You are right, everything is just a crapshoot.

I do think kids who attend daycare tend to get a lot of childhood illnesses out of the way before they get to school as opposed to those kids who don't, but I'm not sure it's because their immune systems are "stronger" -- it's just that they've been exposed sooner.

In other words, if your kid manages to stay fairly healthy as a preschooler, he/she will most likely get more illnesses once he/she enters that petri dish known as grade school.

(I am speaking from personal experience only, no fact-based studies or anything like that).

The biggest thing I think that will help Tori's immune system, besides the breast-feeding is trying to stay away from antibiotics as much as possible. (Of course, not saying you would ask for an antibiotic every time she seems ill, I'm speaking in general here). I have become so willing to wait when my kids are sick to see if they'll "kick it out" on their own -- and I have great peds who aren't prone to over-prescribing.

But kids will just naturally start coming down with more crap once they get out more. My oldest never went anywhere for, like, 2 years & was extemely healthy. But, like I said, I think she made up for it in grade school because she seemed to get every fever/stomach bug/even chicken pox until she reached middle school. But it seemed easier for me that way -- she was older, so her being sick wasn't as terrible as it was when she was a baby/toddler and couldn't talk and let me know what was going on like she could when she was older.

But my other kids -- they were out & about a lot & they definitely picked up more stuff when they were younger -- but what can you do, never go anywhere or take your kid anywhere?

Yeah, glad I was so helpful, Cecily -- but I am with you on the over-use of anti-bacterial everything -- in the long run I think it's hurt more than helped.

And the asthma business -- I could write a book. (I've got 2 with it, and I swear I know at least 1 out of every 3 or 4 families personally where someone has it). Gah.

[Bobbi]

30.

I am a microbiologist, and I am so glad you are bringing this up. The antimicrobial everything trend is one of my worst pet peeves, and I think is a detriment to our children's immune systems. Honestly, I agree with Celeste (I think) above who said that this is the age when fingers and hands are exploring everything and always end up in the mouth. Not much you can do, but let this phase run its course. This time of year doesn't help either, with the change in the weather and the pollen in the air. Good luck! At least she's not too bothered by it all (which is definitely helped by BFing).

[Dea]

31.

I had read somewhere a while ago that there are less occurances of crones disease, appendicitis and other bowel related diseases in many African countries because they don't have the same levels of disinfectants as we do. (I can't find the article at all.) Anyhow what you wrote about children who grow up on farms supports this. The study claimed that more children end up, essentially, ingesting more feces and develop and immunity. I thought it was really intresting. It claimed that Colon and bowel cancers are pretty much only a western world disease.
Also I read many many years ago that too much echinacea can lead to infertility. I did find an article on this. (I've never taken it, and yet I have fertility issues) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/284666.stm
Anyhow I agree with pretty much everything you've said. I'm pregnant now and I try to keep my hands clean because I know my immune system is lowered, but I don't see myself as an uber crazy parent dousing my kids with hand sanitizers, but I do see how they can be appropriate to use at some times.

[Carrie]

32.

I have to mention that even little kids can get sinus infections. My daughter has never really had an ear infection, but is on her third sinus infection. The only way we can tell is that she gets a runny nose that doesn't go away after two weeks. Now that she's older, she also will say her forehead hurts. A couple of days on an antibiotic (always always followed up with yogurt or powered probiotics in a fruit smoothie--she's had to be on antibiotics a lot from multiple surgeries) and that runny nose that has lasted a month just disappears. She's rarely sick otherwise.

Also, I have been assured both by my daughter's pediatrican as well as my microbiologist mother-in-law that alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not contribute to antibiotic resistance, as long as they are strong enough. It's the stuff with Triclosan in it that is a problem.

My husband works in hospitals for a living, and the most important thing we found that works to keep us healthy is every one of us washing our hands or using hand sanitizer as soon as we walk in the door at home. When we are good about it, we really don't get sick almost at all.

[Shelley]

33.

I think kids will get sick one way or another, sooner or later. My daughter was sick tons from 3 months when she started daycare until she was 1. She had at least 10 ear infections and then it stopped and she hasn't been sick nearly as much. My sister's daughter, also in daycare, was barely sick at all and my sister credited breast feeding for 18 months. Well, she now has a son who is soley breast fed as well and he's had at least 8 ear infections. So I think it depends on a lot of factors. You can't keep them in a bubble!

[jb]

34.

My son is 2yrs 8 mths, and was perfectly healthy until we too started going out & about - around 14 mths or so. I am still breastfeeding and I am assuming its helped but we've had lots of antibiotics in our lives unfortunately. Friend who could only supplement with breast milk, and baby was on all formula by 9 months has NEVER been on antibiotics. EVER. So I think its larger part constitution. Hand washing is always good practice & I do think it helps. Also kids who put stuff in their mouth alot (like mine) get more stuff....

[Shandra]

35.

We went out and about starting around 4 months, but it wasn't until my son could get to all the (germy) toys he wanted and (run away from me while daring to) stick his hands in his mouth relatively unimpeded that he started to get things.

To me the playgroups were totally worth it.

Unless you stay at home, I just think it's the age. I also think there is a lot you can't control - what used to be called "constitution." I was sick all the time as a kid - really bad illnesses, missed tons of school. Now I'm pretty healthy. Some of that may have been stress, though.

[Nicole]

36.

Ok. I wasn't breastfed. My mother's milk never came in. I'm a formula baby (and I was a 10 pounder and in 1976 that was BIG baby). I was on "soft solids" (mashed potatos with gravy, mashed yams, beets, pureed beef and chicken, etc) from about 6 months of age.

I remember throughout school, I'd get one or two really bad colds every year. The only time I went on antibiotics was when I would be almost better than relapse. Dad is very much against unnecessary medical intervention (to the point that I still have my tonsils and he decided it was an unnecessary operation).

I never got an ear infection until I was 15 and had a cold and went swimming.

When I was teaching swimming, I had some low-grade virus about 75% of the time (think: small children coming up out of the water and literally spitting in your face). However in 15 years of teaching, I think I only missed, total, a couple of weeks of work.

I was always given vitamins. I was given flouride (and have no cavities and the strongest enamel my dentist has ever seen).

Now that I'm mostly out of the pool and at a desk job, I'm sick enough to avoid work about one day a year.

We always had cats. And birds. And fish. And when I say birds, I mean parakeets, cocktiels, domestic geese, a grouse and a peacock for awhile (rescues). It was my job to feed them and play with with them. I have no allergies to animals.

Although, I didn't play with the fish :)

So I don't know. I didn't get antibodies from mom, but I'm pretty healthy. Don't get me wrong, I think breastfeeding is important and beneficial; I just think there are good alternatives.

And I think being sick for kids is important. Like someone said above, our immune system is a "use it or lose it" type deal. Challenge it to get over minor illnesses and it gets stronger.

And from teaching swimming I can tell you that small children are naturally germy - goes with the territory. You can sequester them away or you can socialize them and expose them to other kids.

In other words, I think you're doing the right thing. Not only because its what I would do :) but because you're doing what works for you and your family.

[girl in greenwood]

37.

About the echinacea - the research has been kind of conflicting, but the very short answer seems to be that taking echinacea at the first sign of symptoms may be helpful, while taking it constantly as an "immune system tonic" does NOT work.

I've used echinacea extract to ward off recurrent throat infections with a lot of success, and I feel that it has helped me fight off bad colds, but I only take it when I've started to feel sick. A child of a family friend got over a long-standing sinus problem (icky green snot!) after several weeks of daily echinacea in his juice, which may or may not be a coincidence.

Here's a newspaper article that describes a little of the research, and gives you enough info to track down the actual studies if you're interested:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/321278_echinacea26.html

[CharmingDriver]

38.

I don't have a whole lot to add but I will concur with the asthma stats; I am not much younger than you Cec (34) and I remember the FEW, very FEW kids I went to school with that were diagnosed asthmatics being told that they would, ''grow out of it''.

[Amanda]

39.

I agree that it's a crap shoot. As a child I was never sick. Seriously, I think in 13 years of school I MAYBE missed 5 days for sicknesses. I grew up in the south in rural areas. I've always been allergic to red ants & stinging bugs, but not until I moved away and went to school at Syracuse University did I develop pollen allergies.

But, my sister, being raised right along side of me? She's so allergic to cats and some kind of pollen that she got shots for a year and carries an epi-pen around with her. She was also a sickly child.

Really, who knows. I'm obviously not a good answer either way since I'm on one side of the fence and my sister's on the other.

[anonymousey]

40.

So many comments! Don't know if someone has already mentioned this...

Disclaimer: I'm a doula student, I don't have kids, so this is just what I've picked up in my training.

I'm reading a book called "So THAT'S What They're For!" by Janet Tamaro. It says that YOU (breastfeeding mom) are exposed to germs. Your body produces antibodies. They are passed through your breast milk to Tori who now has the antibodies for the germ you were exposed to. Also, if I'm remembering right, if Tori is exposed to something and then nurses, it's passed back to you, you make the antibodies, and then those are passed back to her.

My two cents. :)

xoxo

[Elizabeth]

41.

I don't know what I think about the HH - it seems logical in some ways, not in others. I do know that breastfeeding provides continued immune support for as long as you do it, although obviously BF kids still get sick. We do use alcohol-based hand sanitizers like Purell sometimes when we are in particularly germy situations, but one must use caution w/ kids & Purell - apparently some toddler got really sick by licking it off her hands! However, the alcohol-based "antibacterials" do NOT cause resistant bacteria, to my understanding - what you want to avoid are antibacterial products made with Triclosan.
I do not really think that getting sick a lot necessarily makes you healthier in the future, but neither would it be healthy to be shielded from all possibility of exposure to germs. When my daughter seems to be getting sick a lot I ramp up my hand-washing and hers, but I know there isn't *that* much I can do short of keeping her home.
I do keep her home if she is coughing or has so much mucus that there is no way to keep it from affecting others.
By the way, croup is super scary. I remember having it many times as a kid. When the steamy bathroom doesn't work, put them in the car and go for a drive with the windows rolled down. The cool air stopped the "episode" every time, for me.

[Celia]

42.

An interesting note: I work at U of M and there was an internal publication that hasn't been widely distributed yet that discusses the fact that not only do antibacterial soap and gels not keep you from getting illness better than soap and water, but that they ALSO INCREASE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE. This is SO CRAZY to me, the number of parents religously dosing their kids with this stuff and are comprimising their kids ability to fight off a nasty bacterial bug when antibiotics are truly called for. I too am a germ advocate for my 16 month old, he needs to be exposed so his body can boost his own immunity. Plus, although we stopped breastfeeding at 13 months, I still think he's benefiting from my immunities.

http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/print.php?htdocs/releases/plainstory.php?id=5990&html=

[Danielle]

43.

My approach to my 17 m.o. son:

I figure that when he gets sick, his metabolism is so much faster than mine that he has a very good chance of fighting it off himself (I'm talking colds, not fevers.) So I just try to give him the best environment to recover: plenty of sleep, fluids, cuddling, fresh fruit, etc. Also, he doesn't seem to notice he's feeling bad.

I try to wash his hands before and after meals, and after playgrounds /contact w/ other children, etc, and we get in the car, I wipe his hands and feet w/ a NON-anti-bacterial wipe. But I let him pick up cheerios and other snacks off the floor/ground... not intentionally, but I can only be so many places at once. I save the Purell stuff for the rare times when he or I actually touch poop, and also when I have a bad bug myself.

I nursed him for 11 months, but I don't know how much of a difference that made. He's enjoyed pretty good health (knock on wood -- I hated even typing that) From everything I've read, it really does seem like a crap shoot. I don't think it's as simple as "getting mom's antibodies from breastmilk" though. I think the digestive system and the immune system are intricately linked, and each child's digestive systems (and therefore immune systems) mature at different rates. I don't think there's a magic number of breastfeeding months which automatically protects a child.

I've been part of playgroups since DS was born, and in the beginning all of us moms were so paranoid, the minute our baby had a sign of a runny nose we would stay home and miss the social interaction w/ the other moms. But keep in mind that teething can produce cold-like symptoms too. So now we only care if it's green dragons coming out the tunnel; if its a clear runny nose we go ahead w/ the plans. I have also read (somewhere) that up to grade school kids can have up to 10 colds a year, so I figure I'm just trying to meet the quota.

HTH,
Danielle

[Anna]

44.

This is very timely for us. Our son (Tori's age) started daycare at the end of June and has had a cold nonstop ever since, except the last couple weeks when he was on antibiotics. Well, now he's off the antibiotics and is sick again. He's never really SICK sick; I mean, he feels fine except the first couple days of what must be a new bug. I don't really know what to do, whether I should keep taking him back to the pediatrician, or just let it run its course. I hear it does eventually run its course!

As for hand sanitizers, etc. we rarely use them unless I'm feeling too lazy to wash his hands. Honestly, I probably don't remember to clean his hands at all nearly enough. We're pretty laid-back. He's only been throw-up sick once, and that was from......you guessed it....daycare!

And yeah, if everyone kept their kids home every day they were at all sick, daycares would go out of business. I figure we all have to pay our dues in the germ pool, and my son is just getting it out of the way now.

[Anna]

45.

Oh, and he is still nursing, too. I do believe that breastfeeding helps with immunities, but it's not as simple as "Breastfed babies don't get colds" (that's obviously not true for us). On _average_, breastfed babies might get fewer colds, compared with the colds they would have gotten _themselves_ were they not nursing. Not compared to all formula-fed babies. That is all.

[Amy]

46.

I found my kids caught more 'bugs' the more socially active they were. A bad thing? Yes, sucks to be sick (and parent and get sick from a sick kid!) But somewhat inevitable? I think so.

It seemed when my kids entered school at whatever age they would come down with the September Sickness. Now, all in school they tend to come down with whatever is going around. Is it good for their immune systems? Preventable? Don't know.

Besides reinforcing the concept that hand washing after using the toilet, before eating and whenever hands are dirty is GOOD not much else you can do...

[Wabi]

47.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about Tori too much. No matter what you do she will get sick, and fortunately most of the time it luckilyprobably won't be serious.

YOU, on the other hand, I would worry about. When momma's sick, ain't nobody happy. Wash those hands!

[Liz]

48.

My son hasn't been breastfed since he was 5 weeks old, now he's 22 months, and he has always gotten over colds and flus much more easily than me or my husband. A few days and they're gone.and they've never developed into even the croup. Breastfed or not, I think children are more resilient than adults. I think colds are fine, things like pneumonia are not good for anyone's lungs and don't strengthen anything, including the immune system. Washing everyone's hands seem to be the best defense.

[lkiel]

49.

I agree, a little dirt won't hurt. We are neat and as clean as time allows. The kids learned hand-washing like I never did in daycare and preschool. My older son--healthy as a horse (strep a few times, but nothing long term)--I nursed for 12 weeks. My younger son--who has asthma and allergies--I nursed for 3.5 years. Blows all theories about the benefits of nursing and asthma/allergies in my mind. We avoid all but judicious use of anti-biotics when there isn't an alternative. I don't buy anti-bacterial soap or dishwashing liquid and have recently started using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning. I do carry anti-bacterial lotion for times we cannot wash our hands--but avoid using it if at all possible. I will say that the incidents of cold/virus/flu(stomach variety) were greater when they were younger and had started daycare/preschool. They seemd to get fewer bugs when they started kdg than kids who had not had prior exposure to bigger groups of kids--now, at ages 8 & 10, if they have one or two mild colds a year it's unusual. Who knows?

[Kez]

50.

I have a friend whose first child was bottlefed right from the start. Rarely sick, and when she got sick, she got over it easily.

My friend's second child was breastfed until he was over 2 years old. Every allergy known to man, serious intestinal problems (tested for Crohn's, which came up negative, but still a lot of issues), and asthma so serious he was hospitalised 16 times in his second year of life.

My son - 5 days of penicillin at birth, tube or bottle fed from the start (ex-premmie) and in his 22 months of life he has had 2 minor colds and 2 unexplained fevers lasting less than 24 hours and not needing anything stronger than paracetamol.

My mother was breastfed and has had massive allergic rhinitis all her life. Me and my brother, both bottlefed, pretty bad hayfever as kids, not so bad now.

My MIL, breastfed, brought up in a rural area surrounded by trees, grass and animals, raised on a diet of fresh food and dairy, is allergic to EVERYTHING, has moderate excema, and lost all her teeth by the age of twenty. My FIL, breastfed, brought up in the same area, not a problem.

I do think it's the luck of the draw. I think there is a benefit in extended breastfeeding, as long as it coincides with lots of fresh food, fresh air, exercise, exposure to others, and a healthy moderated attitude to hygiene.

[Jenn]

51.

I think you're instincts are totally right. Antibacterial everything is one of those naive well-intentioned but ultimately suicidal things our society tries on once a generation. All these little bugs your daughter is bringing home are serving to strengthen her immune system. The thing that there's no logic to explain away or cure for is that as her mom you feel wretched and guilty on some non-rational level when she's sick. I know. Me too. It's not your fault. Really. Eventually, she won't pick up every single virus in town. Each of my two daughters had one really bad year right around Tori's age where they were sniffly and coughing more than not. Now they are in elementary school,and it's rare that they're home sick.

[Wendy]

52.

Interesting topic. I am taking a microbiology course right now, and am learning about these bugs. Most bacteria are good. We have many in our digestive systems, and it helps us. Here is my own personal sick kid story. I have two boys Sam (7) and Zach (4). Sam will not eat fruits and veggies - gags throws up - has a fit. Zach will eat every fruit and veggie I give to him. He'll eat a whole quart of strawberries for lunch, multiple bananas, LOVES broccoli. And guess who gets sick a lot? Sam - gets lots of colds - that linger. Zach never gets sick. He'll get a sniffle, and then it's gone - and we all share drinks and food and pillows so we are all exposed to the same bug. I really think a lot of it is the diet. Fresh fruit and veggies must boost ones immunity or the body ability to fight. So go give that baby a banana.

[Spacemom]

53.

Can I weigh in again?

There are two things I want to point out:

1) breastfeeding. I think Anna said it above. Those children who breastfeed will have a better immune system than if they didn't. Period. It doesn't mean that if you weren't born with a good immune system, you will suddenly suffer if you are formula fed. I bring this up only because there are so many people defending breastfeeding while I know my kids are doing just fine being formula fed.

2) Crohn's disease (not crone- heh! imagine, my husband being an old crone!)
There are MANY theories on why the 1st world has more occurances of this than the 3rd world. One has to do with the bacteria levels, another has to do with processed foods and perservatives. This is a very poorly understood disease and not just as simple as getting good bacteria in. My poor husband tried good bacteria... and was in bed with stomach cramps for a week. It's just very complex and very poorly understood.

To be honest, I think as long as you teach Tori not to put things in her mouth that are dangerous and you can teach her to wash her hands with soap and water while singing a song (about 20 seconds is what you need to really do a good job), she'll do fine.

[Robin]

54.

For me personally, I had a major bacterial infection after the birth of my first girl. Then had a relapse at nine months when I thought it had been long enough and could start using Dove again. So, after one major hosital stay and another round of serious IV AB's, anti-bacterial products are a must have for me. As for my girls, who are in daycare, I don't mind the colds and runny noses. But some of the stuff they can catch is really scary and very serious. Ginny had rotovirus that was just awful in which we spent a long night in the ER getting fluids back in to her. By the time Evie had it, she had already had two rounds of the vaccine. So, it hardly affected her. But, then Evie was taken down by a serious ear infection that took two rounds of oral and IV AB's to clear.

[Jenny F. Scientist]

55.

The zinc thing does appear to actually shorten viral illnesses- I read all the studies last year. One can take zinc gluconate tabs rather than buy the horribly expensive sugary lozenges.

I've read the studies on childhood illness and immune function too- fascinating stuff. Don't know if I believe it, but hey, a few colds are fine for people with normal immune function.

Soap and water all the way!

[jenny]

56.

Re: extended breastfeeding and immune system health -

Children's immune systems are not fully developed until they are 2 or 2 1/2 years old. This is why it is recommended that they do not eat common severe allergens (like peanuts) until they are 2. While Tori is still getting even a little bit of your breastmilk, she is getting your antibodies - they help out in her digestive tract and in other ways so she fights off illnesses easier. Meanwhile, her immune system gets practice dealing with bad bugs. This explains why Charlie puked his guts up while Tori was only a little sick.

[Katie]

57.

I just barely read something about the Hygiene Hypothesis within the last few ideas. I think it was this: http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNewsMolt/idUKARM57696920071005

[Searching]

58.

No awe-inspiring advice, just want to say what an incredible, strong woman you are. It's GREAT you are still BF your daughter. Every drop of that liquid gold is wonderful for her. She's adorable. :)

I'm very sorry about your twins.

[Dawn]

59.

I think the quality of your immune system is partly genetic and partly not. As an example, I have the immune system of an infant (and no tendency to hyperbole), asthma, allergies and susceptibility to every germ that comes down the pike. It's a pain in the ass, but I've learned over time that I do okay if I get enough sleep, try to eat right, and try to wash hands, etc. I don't use antibacterial products (because I think they contribute to antibiotic resistance) and I don't use my rescue inhaler unless I really need it. My sister has a similar quality immune system, is obsessed with germs, uses all the Purell she can get hold of, etc. etc. She's sick all the time, and she doesn't even have any kids. We were both breastfed, which I believe does improve the immune system you were born with (that is, if your immune system is crap, it'll be less crappy, and if it's great, it'll be even better).

My cousins, on the other hand, were formula fed from birth and have very similar problems to my sister and I, except their issues are seriously magnified. While we were okay with rescue inhalers and allergy shots as kids, they were routinely hospitalized. One of my cousins actually because a nutritionist and works for WIC, because she believes so strongly that breastfeeding and nutrition can improve immune systems.

All that said (sorry for going on and on and on), I don't get worked up about my daughter and germs. I do think that hiding from germs (like my sister does) just means that when she gets sick, it will be worse. We've been pretty lucky. In four years, she's been on antibiotics twice, and other than the discomfort of getting bad colds, she's done very well. Like me, she's very susceptible to germs, but I also think that little kids just get better faster, because their metabolisms are so much faster than ours as adults.

On the acidophilus, if you are not eating fresh yogurt, you might consider supplementing with the refrigerated pills (you can probably buy at Whole Foods). I go to a doctor who practices a combination of traditional and homeopathic medicine and he recommends the refrigerated (as opposed to the shelf stable) acidophilus supplements. Actually, so does our pediatrician, who is nowhere near homeopathic!

Keep going to the story times. It sounds like Tori's having fun. You'll want to try to keep her from putting strange toys in her mouth and wash or wipe off her hands, but other than that, I'd say you're not hurting her and may be helping her immune system develop.

Good luck.

[Regina]

60.

The excess of anti-bacterial products in our society is good for none of us in the long run. I was shocked and amused to read the comment about septic tank malfunction above.

Basically, I think that our immune systems and chances of getting sick are non-linear systems. Different things give us immune advantages and challenges. For example, all through high school, I got a fairly painful bacterial throat infection about once a year. In college, I became a vegetarian, and haven't had a strep-like virus since. However, I've moved to a different part of the country from where I grew up, and I'm still adjusting to the pollens and weather systems that affect my sinuses here.

I don't think there is a panacea for everything that ails us, but a good balance of hand washing, mouth covering, not-putting-things-in-mouths, eating natural unprocessed foods and exercize were the building blocks of health that my mom taught me (she's a PE and Health teacher).

Also, I have to quibble with your guesture to germ- and parasite exposure in developing countries. I don't know what causes Crone's disease. I do know that IBS can be a family-cluster occurance, and that sometimes it has to do with your geographical heritage. People of Mediterranean descent are more likely to be lactose intolerant than those of Scandinavian descent, etcetera.

However, I had several intestinal parasites when I was in Kenya and Tanzania. They are NOT pleasant. While many people in Africa do live with a "friend" or two in their intestines, small children and the elderly die of parasite-related dehydration, and it's not pretty. I don't think that the co-inciding absence of IBS and Crone's disease and the presence of parasites is enough to make a causational relationship out of it.

Anyway, if you're interested in epidemics, I recently read an interesting book about it. Check out the book "Plagues and Peoples" by William H. McNeill. It's a bit dry, but fascinating.

Also, I just wanted to add that I don't think that you are recommending parasites to anyone as a way to avoid IBS or Crones, AND that I think you are a way-cool mom and person.

gah! this comment is too long!

[Val]

61.

Let her get sick now so when school comes, she's not home sick all the time and missing school. She's going to get the bugs and build an immunity - it's only when. Start now.

[Chickenpig]

62.

Having worked in a daycare setting, I can tell you that three things can greatly cut down on yours and Tori's chance of getting sick...1) hand washing and 2) the liberal use of hand sanitizer and 3)coughing/sneezing into your elbow. When you are out and about, Tori seems to be pretty grabby, and she's grabbing germs. A dab of hand sanitizer right after you leave (if you keep doing it in front of parents they might get peeved) will help. Hand washing before every meal and snack is a must, and after every diaper change and/or potty visit. (I don't know how or if she's using the toilet yet, forgive me). Try to sneeze and cough into your elbow, also, to prevent contamination. These three things work wonders. Hand sanitizer is just alcohol, it will kill both viruses and bacteria, but hasn't been linked to causing super bugs. It is safe to use on toddlers if you use a small drop and keep hands out of the mouth until it evaporates.

I breastfed my twins as long as possible (they weaned themselves, unfortunately, at around 1 year)and I think it helped, but my aunt breastfed my cousin until she was old enough to walk up and unbutton her blouse, and she was a pretty sickly kid, so, who knows? It certainly can't hurt :)(unless of course, she bites down REALLY HARD, which is what lead to my sons weaning...I yelped so hard they became afraid to nurse ever again, despite my best efforts)

[Jess]

63.

This is interesting. Lately, I've noticed two extremes . . . moms freaking over their baby touching something my baby touched and moms who let there kids eat off the floor (not criticizing in any way since that's how my youngest lets me know he's hungry . . . finds crumbs on the floor).

Anyhow, in my limited experience:

DS1--born a bit early. Minor fluid in lung issues. Hospitalized with horrible, quarantined virus at seven weeks (adjusted age three weeks). In daycare. Sick at least two times a month the first year. About every other month years 2-3. Since age 3, he's been sick maybe once a year? Formula fed.

DD1--born at term. Nursed for a month. Rarely ill. Sick maybe twice her first year? Maybe once or twice a year after?

DS2--born almost a month early. Blood issues in the hosptial. Couple infections so far . . . one nasty one in his eye and two ear infections. All during the summer. Seems okay now (10.5 months). Nursed from day one and shows no sign of stopping soon.

While I don't intentionally expose the kids to germs, I'm not too paranoid about them. We wash hands, I use a Clorox wipe here and there (usually in the bathroom), and basically do my best to keep everyone fairly clean. Not a huge fan of hand sanitizer, though the playplaces around here tend to have it and my daughter will glop it all over her hands when she can.

The one thing I am pretty fanatic about is not going to preschool/playgroup/whatever if I know the kids are sick (colored mucus or fever) because I know how kids are and germs spread like wildfire.

Not sure that all this will provide much insight . . . but it did give me a minute to reflect on the health of my kids :).

The kids do each take a Flinstones vitamin each day. It's a big rite of passage to go from a half to a whole when you turn four (like that overnight from 3 to 4 makes a difference but whatever).

Keep going to the playdates and such, as long as you're healthy. They're good for both Tori and you. A good diet, a bar of soap, and common sense are the best way to help stave off some of the illnesses . . . but some will sneak through anyway. Usually right when you're schedule is packed or it's party day at school or there's a field trip. Life with kids :).

[Rosemary]

64.

My 20 month old son just had the mother of all ear infections (no symnptoms until his 41 degree temperature hit) and his GP was ready to put him in hospital to give IV fluids to him so that he wouldn't dehdydrate. That is, until my little boy was so miserable that he was crying "Milk, milk, milk, milk" and snuggling in for a feed. The GP did a double take and told me that, on second thoughts, he didn't need to hospitalise a baby still breastfeeding. So, some antibiotics and three days of exclusive breastfeeding, and he bounced back.

When I went back to get his ears checked, the GP said that in his experience, breastfeed babies still get sick, but generally, they don't get as severely sick, and he very rarely has to hospitalise a breastfed baby. Now, it may be that he doesn't WANT to hospitalise a breatfed baby so that the breastfeeding relationship is not jeaopordised.

Anyway, I agree whole heardetly on the hand washing thing. My son's day care has a terrific hand washing policy and it really cuts down on the transmission of virus.

Don't use antibacterials as my husband's skin is too sensitive. But, I wouldn't use them anyway as I stronly believe in my social responsibility not to contribute to antibiotic resistance in the community.

I love the really respectful comments and discussion here. Thanks everyone!

[Sherry]

65.

I 52nd the whole handwashing thing, too. Simple soap and warm water, for a GOOD amount of time, seems to work WONDERS. We do also use alcohol based anti-bacterial gel, but only sparingly and when soap and water aren't readily available, i.e., out and about after changing a diaper.

I guess my view on this whole debate is much the same as diet foods: staying w/the basics and ditching the chemical-laden products seem to do the trick.

[Ally]

66.

I've always been adamantly opposed to avoiding runny noses, colds, etc., in other kids. And this: "Truth is, Tori doesn't get all that sick when she's ill, and never stays sick for very long." is what I found to be the benefits of breastfeeding. Jamie still doesn't get sick very often, but it lasts longer (it seems) and he gets sicker. When we were bfing we weathered croup, hand/foot/mouth disease, and stomach viruses easily, relatively speaking.

Now, once Jamie (or I) IS sick, I'm quick to reach for the meds. B/c why not? If he can't breathe, that's what sudafed is for, you know what I mean?

[Shaynee]

67.

I've always tried to be relatively relaxed about germ exposure. My daughter will be 3 in January and has been fairly healthy--a couple of minor respiratory infections a year. But an experience we had shortly after her second birthday has made me more paranoid than I would like to be. We still don't know what she contracted--almost all tests came back negative--but what initially looked like a run-of-the-mill pneumonia became septic shock and a horrifying ICU stay. My little girl crashed in the ER as her circulatory system started to shut down, and we passed some terrifying hours as we waited to see whether she would come home with us. Luckily she did--and after all that she didn't even have pneumonia. But because we never had a satisfactory explanation for why she became so sick, I now look at even run-of-the-mill illnesses with suspicion. Hopefully this will abate with time, and I'll be able to relax a bit.

[Gry]

68.

We just went through moderate-to-high fever here with my 14 month old. A day or so later she started sporting spots and I was SURE she had gotten chicken pox. Now it's two days later, and no sign of the pox anywhere.

Either she had it and got over it quickly, or it was something else completely (although it seemed real enough to begin with). Either way she seems to get healthy quickly each time she comes down with something (two minor colds in her first year) or we've just been extremely lucky.

For the record, we're filthy people (no one in this house is a clean-freak). And we're still breastfeeding some. This might help her, but the biggest thing she's got going for her, if you ask me, probably are her genes.

[Shazamama]

69.

I breastfed my first exclusively for 6 months and then continued on another 6. She was sick all the time with upper respiratory infections that then turned to rsv, pneumonia or bronchitis or one of the other things.

My son has been given a bottle of formula everyday in addition to nursing and has been much healthier. So what does this all mean? Nothing, I suspect.

I've had friends who didn't b'feed and their kids were much healthier than mine, so it is a crapshoot in many ways.

One of the hardest things about parenting for me is giving up control. I don't want to be a helicopter parent, but I get overwhelmed by all of the info out there. My mom's groups latest thing is all the horrible things in plastic. So I breastfed, but then did I undo all the good with the 2 years of sippy cups? It can make you crazy.

I would love to see someone start a blog where they dig deep into all the research for us - a sort of combo of Moxie and Snopes where we can find out what's what. For example, I had a professor in grad school tell me that the Aussies have stopped SIDS by using a certain type of mattress. Sounds crazy to me, but who knows. I'd love a place to go for trustworthy one-stop shopping on child/family health info.

[Melissa]

70.

In case you're interested:

The House is starting the veto override of the SCHIP bill right now (10/18; 1055 AM). I think it'll go a couple of hours.

You can watch on CSPAN or CSPAN online.

[Tricia]

71.

Oh my goodness, I could have written that post about a month ago. I have a friend who is so obsessive about germs and her children and they always end up being the sickest.

Another thing that I don't think you touched on is the food allergies. Years ago kids just didn't have the food allergies that they have today. Wait until Tori is in school, I'm sure there will be at least one in her class every year who has severe food allergies. I know it threw me for a loop when I was rushing to the ER with my daughter when her throat and eyes were closing before my eyes. Turns out she has a peanut allergy - NOBODY in either of our families has ever had allergies. It's the same principle though - bodies have nothing to fight anymore because of all the 'cleanliness' and they start fighting stupid things like nuts. Makes me crazy.

[Tertia]

72.

This time is the worst time for them getting sick. I remember the same happening to us. It is the change of season, the age she is at. Horrible. I feel for you. Gets better though.

Thinking of you

xx

[mijk]

73.

The children in my sons class who were first childs and didn't go to daycare were pretty much sick all the way for the first copuple of months which isn't fun because all the friendships were build then.

I was always quite easy but even more so when we got a second kid. She was smothered in snotty todller kisses since the day after she was born..

[missingone]

74.

Biology teacher (me) says, yes, it is good to build up immunities. Being sick is ok. Sometimes I credit my super immune system to being a daycare child and getting sick before entering the school age population.
Also, with my son, I have seen vitamins help. We use the gummy bear vitamins and before that we used (our pediatrician recommneded Poly-Vi-Sol) and we added a few drops in his milk each day.
As for echinacea, we tried that and then I figured out that he was developing an allergy to it (took me a while to realize why, when I thought I was being preventative and giving him the echinaicea, he would develop a runny nose almost immediately-further search on the net confirmed this)

[Tonya]

75.

Last year, our preschool implemented a program to have parent & child BOTH wash hands first thing when they arrive and when they leave (to keep home germs out and help prevent introduction of school germs elsewhere); my daughter did not get sick for 4 months afterward (amazing given it was fall the usual influx of new kids). It was such a welcome move for us, with a preemie going through his first winter, when RSV could have been deadly for him. The year before, the usual illnesses made the rounds starting in September. The preschool director quoted a study that said it reduced illness by 50% in the centers studied.

We sing while we wash, to the tune of 'Row Row Row Your Boat':
"Wash wash wash your hands
Before and after play
Soap and water, friction too
Wash the germs away"

We also wash hands (the whole family) before we leave a public place to get in the car or go home, before we eat, etc. For better or worse, we use the "5 second rule" with food dropped at home. Have you seen the MythBusters episode about germs on dropped food? Very interesting!)