Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I don't know what else to say except "hang in there".  Our son was
    sick with one thing or another from December (when he started at
    the sitters) until April or so last year.  It was horrible!  I
    think *I* felt worse than he did.   His doctor said that this sort
    of thing was "normal" for children when they started in group settings
    (i.e.  daycare at 10 weeks, pre-school at 3 years, or kindergarden
    whichever is their first exposure).
    
    Now, I wish that I could say that he developed a strong immune system
    from last winter's bouts with the colds, but I'm afraid he's already
    on his 3rd cold this season.   At least he doesn't seem to wheeze
    (bronchiolitis) like he did last winter, so that's a blessing.
    
    I wish you and Derek good luck this cold season .... and hope you have
    an understanding manager because if you're not taking time off to go
    to the doctor's, you're probably exhausted from sleepless nights
    clearing stuffy noses.   Sorry I can't be more positive; spring is
    just around the corner &#$()(@_!~
    
    carol

>    on top of it all makes it even tougher.  Aren't young children
>    surpose to have a higher immunity system until a certain age?
    
>    -Julie

	Julie,

	Maybe someone with a better understanding than me of infant development
	can explain why this is so, but as far as I know infants are born with
	a very poor immune system.  As long as infants nurse they receive many
	of the mother's antibodies, and in fact this is one of the biggest
	and best-understoon benefits of nursing.

	I really sympathize with you -- its miserable to see a little baby
	struggling to breathe and have so little you can do for them.  It
	really bothered me not to be able to give my baby decongestants or
	antihistamines (they're not recommended for children under 2).

    
    My daughter is 6 months and on her fourth flu/cold virus since Sept.  
    
     Some facts -
     She drinks only breastmilk.
     She has caught every virus from her brother.
     I've caught every virus from her.
    
    I think the "catching it all" phase started over in Kindergarten for my son.
    (Exposed to 30 kids as opposed to 6 in pre-school)
    
    The baby still catches everything - but it doesn't last long [1 - 2
    days] and no ear infections like her brother.
    
    Another nocturnal mom,
    
    Rochelle
    
    I thought nursing would keep her healthy too.  I'm afraid to quit and
    see how bad it could get. 

    On an infant immune system - It's my understanding that an infant does
    get antibodies from the mother (through the placenta).  These
    antibodies are effective for about six months.  But if you think about
    it, the infant can only get antibodies based on what the mother's body
    has produced.  There are *so* many viruses that cause common cold
    symptoms that a mother can't possibly have the immumities to all of
    them.  If a mother has had something like chicken pox, however, and a
    new infant is exposed, the new infant may not get the disease based on
    the immunities received through the mom.
    
    Breastfeeding also transfers some antibodies, but again, the mom has to
    be immune first.  And as we all know, moms do get the common cold.  We
    aren't immune to everything.  
    
    One of the points mentioned in my post-partum mothers' group was that
    breastmilk antibodies are effective only when the infant nurses
    exclusively.  Once other food/formula is introduced, the new food
    introduces all sorts of run of the mill bacteria and decreases the
    effectiveness of the breastmilk antibodies.  I don't know if I believe
    this one, and I can't be terribly articulate about the rationale behind
    it, but that's what we discussed.
    
    My daughter also had conjunctivitis at an early age...maybe somewhere
    around two months old.  One positive aspect of it was that it was
    easier to apply the medication to her (infant) eyes than is was for her
    older (obstreperous) sister.
    
    This winter my three year old is in nursery school.  I'm anticipating
    a cold-filled winter for all of us.  Kids are cute, but they're little 
    germ carriers.
    
    Regards,
    LZP
    

    re .2, about not giving babies decongestants, etc.:
    
    James had one cold/ear infection after the other from the time he
    was six months till he was 14 months.  We were in the pediatrician's
    office every 2 weeks.  She told me to give him 1/8- 1/4 tsp. (I'm pretty
    sure that was the dosage) of Pediacare every 4 hours.  I just couldn't
    stand to hear the poor baby snuffling and whuffling.
    
    Other things I did:  run a cool-mist humidifier, try to keep his hands
    away from his face so he doesn't rub mucus all over his face and get
    conjunctivitis, push clear fluids like juice, and plenty of TLC. Get
    a bulb syringe and suction out his nose if you have to.  You will not
    win "Parent of the Year" honors for doing this, by the way.  
    
    As for working -- can you work from home?  Can you arrange with your
    spouse/SO for you go to in early one day (i.e., work 7 am.-2 p.m.),
    and then he could work "second shift," so to speak.  
    
    You could always tell your manager that if s/he doesn't quit giving you
    a hard time, you'll bring the kid in and infect the whole office :-).
    
    Can you park the kids with a sitter for a couple of hours this weekend
    while you go to the mall, the library, or just generally do something
    for you?  My mother-in-law rode to my rescue one Saturday afternoon,
    and I will be forever in her debt...
    
    Good luck, we've all been there.