Preventing Sickness

I have twin grandchildren (boy and girl) who will be 2 in October. It seems they are sick every other month. Their parents do a wonderful job, but I was just wondering if any of you have any tips you could offer on ways that might help prevent this. Thanks in advance for your help and GOD BLESS EVERYONE OF YOU! I don't know how you do it!

 

A few tips that might help:

1. We wash our hands many times throughout the day - especially after we change diapers
2. I sanitize their highchairs at least once a day
3. I use a new, clean cloth after every meal to wipe down both them and the high chair
4. We use a clean cloth every time we wipe down the kitchen counters
5. We give them baby vitamin drops every day
6. If a cup or pacifier hits the floor, we wash it off before giving it back or give them a new one
7. At least once a week, we sanitize their toys - in the washer, dishwasher, or by spraying them down with a natural disinfectant

If your grandchildren are in preschool or daycare - it's pretty much guaranteed that they will be sick a lot. Most of the kids I know (including my own) who were/are in daycare/preschool are sick all the time and there's not much you can do to prevent it.

 

After they go to one of their classes, we change their t-shirt and use an antibacterial wipe to wipe their hands. I don't do much else, just hope. They also eat lots of fruit and veggies which I think makes a difference to how many times they get sick.

 

Getting sick at this age is part of building an immune system. Even keeping things really clean and giving them vitamins they will still get sick. It is much better for them to get these illnesses now and build the immunity than for them to not have it and get it later(classic example chicken pox at a young age vs chicken pox in teens or older). Vitmins will only help if they aren't eating a balanced diet(though if they are like mine you can offer a balanced but they won't eat balanced). If they have chonic illnesses preventative meds can help prevent those illnesses(ex: asthma and allergies). Control asthama and allergies can keep illnesses like colds, broncitis and ear infections from being so severe. My girls also born in october visit the dr about once every 2 months.

 

I think the best preventative is avoiding large group playgroups and preschool, and sticking to playdates with one child at a time. Of course, this can be hard with 2 year olds ... Honestly, my girls get sick a lot and I do my best to prevent it but it still happens. It isn't fun but at the same time we can't live in a bubble, and we want to participate in group classes and playgroups.

 

Mine rarely get sick. We've been to the doctor for sick visits a grand total of three times for the both of them in the second year and once in the first. We're not doing anything special (other than extended nursing). I rarely sanitize their toys, I let them taste the rocks outside, and they share everything. They're not in daycare, though, so that may limit their exposure... although they are getting exposure to the general public on a regular basis. I'm good about washing hands but they aren't past the "taste everything" phase yet so they're getting a nice dose of germs from other sources.

I don't know -- maybe some kids just plain get sick more than others.

 

Some of this has to do with genetics~ I am sick once a month. Any little bug comes along, I have it!! My husband is never ever sick. My kids all take after him, they go to school and day care and are still never sick.
My only advice would be~ lots of vit C rich foods(it is better from food), iron rich meats, and green veggies and exercise for them, if they are sick alot.

All of these build up the immune system, but there is a great deal of evidence that points to genectics for strong immunities, and natural immunities build up by being sick NOT by taking antibiotics. If the kids take alot of antibiotics, thier immune system will be weaker.

 

QUOTE(mrsjo @ Sep 10 2007, 02:02 PM) [snapback]400857[/snapback]
Some of this has to do with genetics~ I am sick once a month. Any little bug comes along, I have it!! My husband is never ever sick. My kids all take after him, they go to school and day care and are still never sick.
My only advice would be~ lots of vit C rich foods(it is better from food), iron rich meats, and green veggies and exercise for them, if they are sick alot.

All of these build up the immune system, but there is a great deal of evidence that points to genectics for strong immunities, and natural immunities build up by being sick NOT by taking antibiotics. If the kids take alot of antibiotics, thier immune system will be weaker.



PS TOO MUCH HAND SANITIZING has been proven to kill the "good bacteria" on the hands that would fight off some common bugs.

 

I don't do anything but give my girls a well balanced meal. I make sure they get as much fruit and veggies as possible. My girls have only been sick twice and they recovered very quickly. I also give them JuicePlus, which is a full day supple of fruit and veggies so whatever they eat is just extra. Some of the top leading pediatricians recommend this supplement, and I personally have nothing but raves for it. I have noticed a huge difference in my girls since I started giving it to them. Neither one of my girls have been sick since starting it 7 months ago, not even a simple runny nose. Good luck, HTH

 

QUOTE(Trish_e @ Sep 10 2007, 02:13 PM) [snapback]400873[/snapback]
I don't do anything but give my girls a well balanced meal. I make sure they get as much fruit and veggies as possible. My girls have only been sick twice and they recovered very quickly. I also give them JuicePlus, which is a full day supple of fruit and veggies so whatever they eat is just extra. Some of the top leading pediatricians recommend this supplement, and I personally have nothing but raves for it. I have noticed a huge difference in my girls since I started giving it to them. Neither one of my girls have been sick since starting it 7 months ago, not even a simple runny nose. Good luck, HTH


My pedi highly recommends JuicePlus. We have not tried it yet.

 

My son has a compromised immune system, so we are complete germaphopes at our house. Due to his condition, we have spoken to countless specialists, doctors and RNs, and we always ask them the best way to prevent illness. Every one of them has said that hand washing is the most important thing you can do.