My baby is sick. Again.
Yes, again.
It seems he catches some sort of bug every month or so. Normally, it is just something minor...like a cold...or a fever lasting a couple of days...and then we move on. But...now he has pneumonia...again. This is the second time in about a 7 month period. As we head into Fall and Winter...this has me concerned. I took him to the doctor's office yesterday...and I'm so glad I did.
As a working mother, who sends our child to daycare 3 days week...this produces guilt. Now...Mama guilt is present for ALL Mamas, whether we work outside the home or not. However...when you know you child is going to get sick from daycare...and you send him there...and he gets sick...again & again...you feel terrible. That's where I'm at right now. The thing is...he loves school (his teachers, his friends, the fun activities they do) and I like working too. It works for us...except this sickness thing.
Now I know...either he gets sick now and builds up his immunity now...or we do this later...like when he goes to preschool or kindergarten. I get it. I also know I cannot keep him in a bubble...he needs to be exposed to things. It still doesn't erase my guilt...especially when he looks at me with those big brown eyes during a coughing fit...with his little body shaking & quaking...and I can tell it hurts...really hurts...and he just wants me to do something to make it stop...but I cannot. All I can do is hold him...rub his back...tell him it will pass...that he is OK...and be here for him.
He is doing somewhat better today. The night went better too. He still woke up...and coughed...but at least went back to sleep each time. The night before...completely terrible. I think we were all up until at least 2 AM...and I ended up "sleeping" on the mattress on the floor with him. Yep, we're back to that. Sleep training (which was going really well, BTW) goes right out the window when little ones are sick. (And by "sleeping" I mean lying next to him...rubbing his back...helping him through each horrible coughing fit...trying to help him relax and sleep.) I'm so glad we didn't have another night like that. Napping was really tough yesterday too...he'd only sleep if I was carrying him around his room (tough to do for long being that he weighs 26 pounds) or if we drove around in the car. Guess where I spent my entire afternoon yesterday trying to get my son to nap (and going to more than one Walgreen's to get the right medication)? In the car...yep...burning up gas...increasing CO2 levels for our planet. But...it worked...he napped...for an hour & a half. I'll take it.
So...this hasn't been the best week...but we're getting there. I have much more fun things to post about...and I'll get to it soon. (Think: Firetrucks.) Until then...my Mama guilt is in rare form...but hopefully lessening...for now.
14 comments:
That sounds so hard, Janet. I can totally understand your Mama guilt. Like you said, maybe this will build up his immunity for the future. If you have a health food store by you, I'd recommend going in and asking for an immune booster for little ones. I know there are some great products out there!
I hope D feels better really soon and that you all get some more sleep!
Oh Janet -- I had a sneaking suspicion that this might be the case since your blog was so quiet for a few days. I am so sorry little Dylan is so sick. And I hear you on the guilt thing...present in some form or another with all different situations of employment. Don't judge yourself too harshly, especially in the midst of having a sick baby and being totally sleep deprived. Thinking of you...
Jeez! You all have had more than your fair share of sickness! :(
It's so heartbreaking when your little guys are sick, and you're right - sleep training has to take the back burner. Ugh.
Get well soon!
Jack was home with me all the time around little d's age, and he caught everything that year. So, don't feel like it is the daycare situation. Sometimes their little bodies just seem to get in a groove of picking everything yucky up. Between 10 mos and 2 years he had tons of junk, rotovirus, flu, cold after cold, it was awful. I tell you this to help you feel better about it. It is great he enjoys his time with friends and you enjoy working a bit. I hope the little guy feels better soon, i know it is so sad to watch them sick. :( hugs!
Ugh. I'm not a mama yet but I am quite certain that I'll be very skilled at Mama Guilt. How could we not feel that way when our babes are sick? Hope Little D is better very soon.
Oh Janet, I am so so so sorry Little D has pneumonia again. Poor little guy! And poor you. Yes building up immunity for the future is a good thing, but that's small comfort right now. I'm sure you're just exhausted and dreading the winter! And I'm sure you do feel the mama guilt. Who wouldn't? That's natural. If you didn't feel that, you'd probably be a terrible mother! But don't be too hard on yourself because you and your DH are doing an awesome job. Oh and about the day care, I really think it's a very good thing for D to hang out with his friends and be social. That benefit HAS to outweigh the "getting sick a bit more in the beginning" thing. Please remind me of all this when I go back to work next spring, OK?!
oh D! poor little guy. i hope he is feeling better soon. i'm with Christine about the immune boosters. we use essential oils for C when he has been out and about, or when a sickness seems to be looming. so far it has really worked. take care.
I am so sorry to hear little D is sick again :( You know I totally empathize with you about this. I don't work outside the home but Matthew still go sick so many times last year, I am dreading this winter. I hear you on the Mama guilt - you're right, we all have it about one thing or another! You are doing such a great job with your little man and it is obvious how much you love him. I hope the sleep continues to get better and that he is feeling better soon.
Poor little D! I'm just getting used to this new mama thing but I truly understand that mama guilt! I hope he feels better soon and that the sleeping get better!
Oh Janet! My heart just hurts for you! I know these words are small comfort right now, but you're doing a great job, and what's best for your son and your family. I think some kids are just more prone to picking up bugs than others. I happen to know that someone can sneeze near me, and I get sick. It's just really, really hard when it's your baby! Hang in there.
It's so hard when our kiddos are sick, and Little D sure has had his share of really, really nasty bugs. I hope your little man is well soon and stays that way for a long while after he gets through this.
awww, i'm so sorry, janet! but, you know what, you're right. this *is* building D's immunity...trust me. it's either now, or later. my first 2 years of teaching i was miserably sick ALL the time, and now, i rarely get sick (but i pass everything on to my husband!). little D will have perfect attendance in kindergarten! :)
My heart is just breaking for both of you! Poor Little D being so sick and poor Mama too. :( You are such a good mom and your baby boy knows that you are there for him day and night. Hang in there!
So sorry. Poor little thing.
You are the best Mommy in the world. It will pass.
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