To take them to daycare or not to take them to daycare? That is the question. Dealing with snotty noses is part of the parenting package. For some (ahem, me) it’s a never-ending cycle which makes juggling work and family life quite the challenge.
Many, many mornings I’ve gotten ready for work only to go into my little one’s room and be greeted by a snot-covered pillow and a grumpy face. Sometimes I know straight away that my kid is in no shape to be around other humans. Other times, it’s not so cut and dry.
So how do you decide whether to keep your child at home or not?
Step 1: Analyse the colour and consistency.
Is the snot clear and thin? Or is it yellow or green and thick in texture? A cold normally starts with clear, thin mucus that gradually gets thicker as the immune system kicks into gear. Yellow or green snot is a sign that your child’s cells have started fighting the infection (unless it’s a chip or a pea your child shoved up their nostril a week ago). Contrary to popular belief, your child is most contagious during the clear, runny nose phase but they will be most uncomfortable during the thick, yellow/green snot phase. Some parents swear that their children get a clear, runny nose when teething so it can be hard to make a decision about daycare without further analysis and advice.
Top Comments
My 3 boys have a constant stream of clear snot running down their noses in the colder months. My daycare says if the child has a temperature or their nasal emissions are green then they are to be kept home. The fever I 100% agree with, however as this article points out, by the time the goobies are green, the cold is in it's final stages. Sniffles and coughs are just part of winter. Even my work place is a symphony of chesty coughs, sneezing and nose blowing. If everyone stayed home on the basis of mucus winter would not be a very productive season. I think a good rule of thumb for daycare is if, the child is their usual playful self, send them to day care. If they are 'off' or have a fever, keep them at home.
Interesting article- take your child to a pharmacist for advice on colds and flu... hopefully they won't try and sell you an unproven vitamin remedy!
Zinc in the first 24 hours of illness can reduce the rate of viral replication. The rest- no evidence.
So what's the alternative? Lug my child to wait at the doctor's office every time he has a cold and hope the doctor isn't being incentivised by the big pharma companies? Ain't nobody got time for that!