Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

I used to have the best immune system. I was RARELY sick.
Since having DD (and I guess having her in daycare) I feel like I am sick every other week.
I catch every head cold known to man.
One year I got 4 stomach viruses of varying intensity in a season.
I know it makes sense since daycare is a breeding ground of germs but I feel like I am sick more than she is even. My daughter really doesn't get sick often. Yet I do.

I also think my immunity is less now that I'm a mom because I never get to rest, nap, sleep late etc
Working full time, rushing to daycare, up at the crack of dawn, a stressful job, being a mom to a toddler- all must be taking a toll on my immune system.
And when I do get sick it's not like I can lay around and rest and drink tea and get better!

Anyone else find this?
Does it eventually get better as your immunity builds up?
My boss said when his kids were young he was sick ALL THE TIME. And now that they are older he is rarely rarely sick- so maybe there is an upside to this.
But for now- it just suckssss!
Anyone take anything daily to build up immunity? Probiotics? Vitamins?

Message edited 1/6/2013 10:20:49 AM.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

I am in the same boat as you. This season so far I have had 4 colds..More combined then that last 4 years :( My son is 7 months old and has been in daycare since 3 months. We are matching cold for cold at this point. It really does suck

Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

DS is a daycare kid and sick monthly. I have only been sick once in the last year.

I get a cold here and there before DS so it's been the same.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Aside from 2 recent bouts of the stomach virus I have been healthier since having my twins. Knock on wood!!!!! I used to get bronchitis ever October and may and haven't had it since they were born.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Since I have been eating healthy, I rarely get sick. I fell off the wagon last week, and of course now I have a cold.

I think diet and rest are key to immunity. I would suggest taking a probiotic. I don't take one because I try to eat fermented foods (ie. Kimchi).

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Before I had DS, I got sick maybe 2x per year. Then I had DS and I used to joke that I do NOT have that mom-gene that my mom seemed to always have. She would take care of me and my sister while we were sick and never even get a sniffle. Now that DS is 5, I now DO have that mom-gene. I have survived at least 4 cases of the stomach bug (included DH having it) with nothing and plenty of fevers and colds that I seem to be immune to now. I guess even adults immune systems can improve.

Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Less actually

I think I became more of a germ freak once having kids / I wash my hands often and I think it's helped.

Message edited 1/6/2013 2:29:14 PM.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

as i type this i have every window open and am doing whatever is humanly possible to avoid the stomach bug that DD #2 brought home from daycare and so kindly shared with DH. I feel like I'm always sick and when I'm not sick I'm obsessing over who has what germ and when it's going to hit us next.

Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

No I've been less sick. I'm a SAHM and I'm a lot more diligent about keeping things clean, washing my hands, washing DD's hands, etc.. When I worked in an office I always had some sort of stuffy nose or sneezing a lot due to poor air circulation and co-workers who showed up to work sick!

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

this was us when DS was an infant and started daycare. Moreso for DH b/c he did pick up and drop off.

If you dont, start taking a VIt C pill. DH swears by it and he's rarely sick now.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

absolutely!!!.. before ds, i got sick maybe once a year- great immune system and because i am normally exposed to everything, nothing affected me. Now that ds is here, and in daycare, i feel that as the day care calls me with whateveryone has, i am already getting it. this winter alone i have had 4 colds and the stomach flu- i havent had a stomach bug in 8 years!!!

Update- make that two stomach bugs in less than 4 weeks... argh..

Message edited 1/7/2013 3:54:37 PM.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Yes! I never had a great immune system to begin with, but now every single time I am around someone who is sick I know I am going to get sick as well. Happens every single time. And if DD is sick, I get sick. If I'm sick, she gets sick. It's a vicious cycle. I definitely think it's partly because we don't get to rest when we're sick like we used to.

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

So in terms of probiotics....
I know there are SO many for your gut- for like IBS, stomach and digestive issues etc
But what should I take for immunity?
I think the Culturelle brand mentions it works for digestion AND immunity.

Or the probiotics in yogurt?

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Try to get your rest. DH is a morning person so I let him go to sleep earlier and he lets me sleep in. This way at least on weekends we can catch up on sleep. I take a multi everyday and lately I've been taking an extra vitamin C. I wash my hands a lot! I'm a nurse so I'm constantly washing but make sure you are also moisturizing your hands so they don't get dry and cracked with little cuts. When I do get a cold I have good luck with zicam (or anything like it) it has extra vitamins like zinc to help. Feel better sweetie!

Re: Do you find that YOU get sick a lot more since having kids?

Im the opposite. My IBS has been GREATLY resolved since I got pregnant. Something I'm extremely grateful. I was warned that having a baby could either make it worse and require major medications and medical intervention OR make it better. Your body gets a reboot.

I never really got sick before so thats the same now. Other than that freak blood pressure issues after she was born, I've been back to normal (minus IBS).

She got sick a LOT that first year and a half (until the tubes went in) she's been smooth sailing since then. We both got Swine Flu I guess in 2011? (time flies) and it didn't slow us down more than a week.

We dont do the flu shot either.


ETA: AJ has been in daycare since 4m. But we are religious about washing her hands. However..... she will still sneeze into my face, cough on my food etc. We've gotten better about redirecting that but at younger ages you just hope for the best. Still, rarely get sick from her. I'm big on Orange Juice (and so was she until I cut her off). She adores veggies as do I. I have a very open home plus my office has no walls so what can go around goes around at the office, so I just keep my hands as clean as possible and try NOT to touch my nose, mouth, eyes. Really that is the chore. It takes actual effort. Oh and sleep... Oh yeah we SLEEEEEP. Any time of day or night. LOL. People scoff that I let AJ stay up so 'late' (9:30-10pm) but gal will sleep SOLID. No waking up for anything ever. Doesnt wet her bed, doesnt get up to go pee, just sleeps deeply.

She's actually be a little under the weather this week (low grade fevers from 99-101) but she would say to my aunt "Im going to sleep now" and that was that. Kid knows when her body wants to rest and she rest she does.

Eating better
Following your body's clues for rest
Stay hydrated
Dont touch your eyes, nose, mouth (even if you dont see sick folks around you)
And good ol Vitamin C

Message edited 1/7/2013 10:09:24 AM.