18 Month Old, Chronic Colds

My kids are rarely sick. Per the doctor, I give them daily probiotics and at that age, 1,000 IU a day of Vitamin D3. The 400 IU that they recommend is WAY low. Almost all Americans are severely deficient in it. My 2 year old takes 2000 a day, and his blood test results for D3 are in the optimal range.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

Also, a daily dose of fish oil is a good idea also.

And, yeah, I'd get a second opinion. Try a naturopathic doctor.

As for advice, I don't know any better than your pediatrician, but I can say that I empathize. My now-22month old was sick CONSTANTLY last winter. I got so fed up with the constant cold symptoms and diarrhea. So far this season, I've been pleasantly surprised that she's not gotten sick at all. So maybe your child just needs to get through this first season of germ exposure and boost up his immunity--Take it from one who's been there--It will pass!

my daughter was like that... she has environmental allergies and asthma! she had a "cold" from december 18th to febuary until her dr gave us athma meds. get a cool mist humidafier in his room and suction him out well durring the day and before bed. i would ask about asthma. please also make note that not all asthma suffers weeze! my daughter has never weezed and is asthmatic! my daughters lungs sounded clear and her dr said that sometimes that happens with some asthmatic kids.

What sort of allergy testing did they do? Has he been tested for a lower immune system?

At first glance, when you mentioned a constant cough, that sounded like asthma or maybe bronchitis, but they don't come with a runny nose (though allergies & asthma often go together).

I would see if your pediatrician could get him into to see a pediatric immunologist--it really sounds like additional testing is needed.

In terms of sleep, I don't know how fidgety he is, or if he'll tolerate it, but if you can, try to borrow or invest in a baby carrier--that way, you can carry him when he's not feeling well, and he might be able to sleep while you're carrying him. It's worth a try...

I'll be keeping your little guy, and you, in my thoughts & prayers.

ok being exposed to germs isnt what is making him sick. We are continuously being exposed to stuff for some reason his immune system isnt handling these attacks at all. Now teething can cause a lot of cold like symptoms, but by now you should know the difference. I would look into what is causing his immune system to be depressed. Unfortunately allergy tests are not always accurate. Id try taking him off dairy for 3 weeks ( at least) and seeing if he improves, then add in a bunch of dairy and see how his body reacts. Also are you using a lot of chemical cleaners in the home? that isnt good either. I have an almost 3 year old that goes everywhere with me, i take her to public events almost daily, we always forget to wash hands, and she has been sick with a fever 3 times and just this week had her first respiratory cold. Germs dont make you sick, your immune system makes you sick. You need to figure out why he is not fighting off things very well. Good luck and i wish you the best of luck!

He will be a healthy adult because you cant catch the same cold virus twice.
He is being exposed to lots of other kids and they all have germs, I dont care how much sanitizer you try to use.....
Is your pediatrician giving you any idea of why? I'd get a second opinion and make sure it IS colds and not some other nasal issue like a deviated septum.

My pediatrician said that the first year kids are "out and about" in the world they are sick, on average, 10 times for 10 days each. That means, on average, kids are sick 1/3 of their first year out of the house. Your kid is just on the high end of the spectrum. Mine was too. The good news, to support the other poster, is that she is healthy as a horse now. Seriously, I think she's had to stay home from school/daycare 3 times in the past 4 years. She got it all out of the way early. And yes, mine was breastfed too. It's a kicker. But it will get better. If it's not better in another 5-6 months, take him in for a second opinion.

Good luck.

I def. second the cold mist humidifer. They do great for noses and helping your child sleep better. Im not sure what vitamins your babe is on, but my son takes polyvisol by enfamil and they do great. My pediatrician says that they are the best vitamins for children under 2. When ever I go out with my son, I carry sani hands with me. There alcohol wipes that comes individually wrapped and I swab his hand whenever I see him touch something germy in winter. Good luck and hang in there, mommy! Im sure your son really appreciates it that you care for him when hes sick.

I could have written this 10-years ago. From nine months until kindergarten, my oldest son was constantly sick--croup & congestion-- for up to two weeks every to every-other month. Some of the time it was allergies and asthma, but the tests didn't come out positive until he was 30-months old. Unfortunately, there's not alot you can do right now. It's just something that you will have to put up with. I did the whole vitamin thing, but he was still sick regularly. If everything else is fine and his only symptoms are runny nose & congestion, I would still get him out and about.

Sometimes, especially with our first kids, we are too clean so that when they do get exposed to anything, they react. I was less of a clean freak with my second child, and he hardly ever gets sick. On the plus side, while constantly sick when he was younger, my oldest is rarely sick now. I think he built up his immunities in the early years. I also wouldn't worry too much about the naps. My oldest probably napped no more than 45 minutes usually just once a day. With all that worrying when he was younger, now he is a thriving, physically active and healthy fifth grader. Hang in there!!!

What sort of allergy testing was done? IgE shows true allergies and IgG shows food sensitivities. Since you are breastfeeding you might consider your diet. Milk is the number one allergen and is very mucous forming. Gluten and soy are also common sensitivies or allergens. An illness or vaccine reaction can cause the loose stools and problems sleeping.

Give your child Nature's Way Primadophilus it's a 7 strain powdered formula specifically designed for children ages 0-5 and is really good for the immune system. I gave it to my son for years from a few months on. good luck