My brothers always ill... - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

tinklestar10 · 04-20-2007, 03:15 PM

Hey.

I'm writting this post for my brother. He's 2 (just been his bday). He is a active boy, talks well, doesn't eat to well but depends on what he's like on the day.

When he was born he wasn't too keen on eating. He had little milk when he was supoose 2 be having a lot, he went through spells where he had loads and was eating well then he went back to eating nothing or so little. This went on for a while. When he started on solids he eat well, trys anything and everything. Well last year it seems like he was ill all the time, he had loads of coughs, colds and chest infections. This year already he's had about 5 colds and 2 chest infections and now he seems to be getting another cold.

He's eating well at the moment but very active. He seems to be a mummys boy at the moment too. Oh and when he's ill he doesn't talk properly. I thought i'll put that in or i'll forget. Well he seems ok like i said but how can i stop him having colds, chest infections etc? We have tried that medicine called minadex. He has had anitboitics (sp?).

Is there anything else he can have or try him with to stop him getting all these colds etc? I would appreciate it if you could reply asap thanks a lot X

xinerevelle · 04-22-2007, 06:02 PM

Does he go to day care or a babysitter's house where there are other children? That's probably the cause of his frequent illnesses. I've read that the average kid gets something like 10 colds a year! I was really surprised by that since I don't remember me or any of my family or nieces/nephews getting sick that often when we were little.

I would work to make sure the house is really clean -- use Lysol regularly on doorknobs, around toilets, on sink handles, etc. -- places where lots of people touch.

I would also start teaching your brother about putting his hands in his mouth or in rubbing his eyes. He is introducing the viruses into his system this way, typically. Wash his hands (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and hot water -- and do it frequently. Get the germs off of him.

Also, he may have a depressed immune system compared to "average" which means that he may just be one of those kids that's more prone to catching things. Improved nutrition will help. If he doesn't like to eat, get him to drink Ensure drinks (or the kids version). Continue to mix baby formula in with his food (hidden nutrition!).

Good luck!

prairie_dawn · 04-24-2007, 08:35 PM

X is right. Formula has way loads more nutrients than regular whole milk. I had my son on it for 3 years. Although he drank other stuff and even regular milk I gave him formula too. my dd2 almost 3 still drinks it on occastion as well.

X is right about the whole keeping house clean. Have mom clean that house top to bottom, give her some time to do it with everyone out of the house or you help her with brother with your dad or grandmas house. Again door knobs and light switches are pain when it comes to that, also the sink handle. and if he is on a potty seat that too.

Does mom take him to the store with her? If so does she use the cart or her carriage for him? When using any shopping cart you are absolutly going to get that kid sick and if he is already sick his body's immune system is already lowered. Stop putting him in the cart, if he will go into the stroller then have her do that with her wheeling the shopping cart behind her. I did this as well, and let me tell ya it was funny with a double stroller in front and a cart in back and I was pregnant with 4th. I thought it was funny. But when i put them in the cart oh man do they get sick.

Good hand washing is key as well. So when she gets home take him out of the cart before she even thinks of putting groceries away and get him to bathroom and she and he wash their hands. Her too. Lysol is great and if she can get a bottleof the Clorox sanitizing hard surfact spray bottle. I say this because once finished with it you can use it over again with a solution of sanitzing spray that is on the back of the clorox big bottle for clothes. I have a lot of people in house so i have about 4 of them.

If she cant avoid him being in the cart then make sure she washes those hands for sure when he comes home. NO ONE in your home for 2 weeks PERIOD! No friends no neighbors, no NOONE. Mom must abide by this to get the house clean and keep people's germs out. Open the windows get the house aired out.

My rule in my home since I have Grave's disease and have to not get sick so i stay in remission is.....
When you come into my home you wash your hands No exceptions!
Do not come here if you feel ill or are getting over a cold!
Do not come here if you have been around kids that were or are sick!
When kids are sick no one is aloud in my home no exceptions not even my ds12's freinds.

I know it sounds harsh but it is now habit for us and a lifestyle basically. You come in and wash up no biggie. All the neighborhood kids do it as well without me telling them. I just explained that I had a disease that warranted it and that my kids were getting sick so much the last several months and I had to crack down.

When my ds12 comes home from school he gets changed and washes up. DH as well. I sure hope this helps.

It's not so much getting those antibacterial washes or anything X is right about the 20 seconds. If you do that you dont have to worry about the whole disinfecting stuff and all. I find that to be bull. A good handwashing is a great tool. AND ALWAYS REMIND MOM TO MAKE SURE BROTHER WASHES HIS HANDS BEFORE HE GOES POTTY. yes before as well as after. He is touching stuff then touching himself. He could have dirty hands. At least for now have her do it best she can.

Keep us up to date i'd love to hear how he is doing.

tinklestar10 · 04-28-2007, 02:34 PM

Hey.

Thanks for replies, sorry i havent replied any sooner.
Yes my brother goes in stores, outside, shops everyhwere really. He has his hands wash all the time and always gets wipes out the packet and starts washing himself so he's pretty clean.

He goes to school (nursery) and they are clean too i think but most kids have illness there too. That's where he got chickenpox. He has been taking vitimans (my mum has just started giving him them). He seems ok atm though which is good but i dunno how long for.

Thanks for your help both of you xx