https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 07:14:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519639 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:50:22 +0000 Mrs. Bee 519639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh and my brother was soooo sickly as a toddler/young child and he never gets sick. i never got sick when i was young, or even as an adult, but now with kids i get sick at least a couple times a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519634 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:49:43 +0000 Mrs. Bee 519634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>according to this article there is some truth:</p> <p><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48489391/ns/health-childrens_health/t/ask-dr-ty-will-early-exposure-colds-boost-immunity/#.UP7rkm8711U" rel="nofollow">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48489391/ns/health-childrens_health/t/ask-dr-ty-will-early-exposure-colds-boost-immunity/#.UP7rkm8711U</a></p> <p>charlie got sick a lot even when he was with a nanny because he was enrolled in a lot of classes that were even germier than daycare. he was sick a lot his first year of daycare, but nothing too major... just lots of colds throughout the entire winter and most of spring. usually he's cold-free in the summer and early fall. his second year of daycare he hasn't been sick yet, so i think he did build up an immunity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519608 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:40:02 +0000 BoogieBea 519608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to get sick a lot when I was a toddler. I was at the doctor's office all the time. Now, I hardly get sick. Few factors at play I think. My body did build up some immunity and my parents always provided a healthy well rounded diet which also helped. This is all speculation though. My son did get sick a lot last year when we were started him in daycare. This year, he's a lot better even though he's at a different school and exposed to different germs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519589 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:32:05 +0000 JoJoGirl 519589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: Agree with what you said about going through it either in daycare or in elementary school. I think it's a little of both options - there are some infections that once you get them, give you some immunity that protects you from getting it again (rotavirus, for example) but other infections you can get over and over ("a cold"). Obviously strengthening your immune system with other methods is always going to help too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519557 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:23:38 +0000 T.H.O.U. 519557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that once they hit a year old and/or are mobile they get sick less severely in daycare. I wish I could have kept LO out until she was a year. Now she may get a runny nose/cough but she can move the gunk around and she gets over it. When they are little any bit of congestion makes them so sick because they can't move it around. </p> <p>I think now at 22 months you will be fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519547 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:20:38 +0000 HLK208 519547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: agreed.</p> <p>Since DS started preschool though, we get sick every two week :( it's miserable. We eat healthy though and try to sleep when we can + we take vitamins. I am so tired of being sick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519546 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:20:34 +0000 squid 519546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel that a truly strong immune system tackles pathogens before they become symptomatic. It is neither over-reactive (allergies, eczema, etc), nor under-reactive. Yes, everyone will "get sick", but I don't think that the actual getting sick is the necessary part of building a strong immune system. </p> <p>I agree with the above that overall attention to general health along with a healthy exposure to the world is the best approach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519543 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:18:21 +0000 MrsRcCar 519543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a big believer that maintaining a healthy immune system. We take a lot of vitamins and supplements. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519542 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:17:55 +0000 mrs. wagon 519542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @MsLipGloss, about proper care shortening the length of an illness for sure. I think it has a lot to do with genetics as well. But once you've had a bug in your system, your immune system is better equipped to fight off that bug (and those close to it) so I think that's why WJ hasn't gotten too sick this winter yet. He's been exposed to so much illness that everything that comes along he's able to either fight off or he's already had it so he doesn't catch it.</p> <p>The pediatricians I've talked to (Wagon Sr.'s cousins and our own pediatricians at our practice) always mention how daycare kids are sick all the time, then when they're in elementary school they're never sick... and kids who stay home with mom or nanny or grandma are perfectly healthy then get sick all the time in elementary school. </p> <p>The way I see it, if she's gonna get sick, might as well get it out of the way now so she misses less school later. Or if she's got your immune system, she won't get sick anyway, either time!! :) </p> <p>I wouldn't send my kids just to expose them to illnesses to toughen up their immune systems, I wouldn't NOT send them to prevent them from getting sick. Just gotta decide what's right for your family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519538 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:16:49 +0000 mamimami 519538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think being around other kids and getting sick does help the immune system to an extent. And I know you did extended breastfeeding (past one year) which is one of the best things you can do! This isn't really your question but I think when kids start school/daycare, they're going to get sick, whether they're a month old, two years old or five. I would not want a one month old to deal with that but I think two years old is OK to start going through some of those normal illnesses. But, I'm no epidemiologist LOL. (PS I too am considering preschool for my little boy and this is something to think about!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519533 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:14:57 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 519533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really think so for the same reasons as mslipgloss said. However, I think preschool is important for learning socialization skills (not to mention for mom's sanity) so I'm all for preschool programs. I think maintaining good health with good nutrition, sleep and hand washing is key. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519525 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:11:34 +0000 MsLipGloss 519525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. The bugs/viruses/etc. are just so varied I don't think getting sick frequently builds a strong(er) immune system. I think maintaining your health with good food, plenty of rest, etc., is a much bigger factor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-getting-sick-a-lot-really-helps-build-a-strong-immune-system#post-519517 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:09:49 +0000 chopsuey 519517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're thinking about sending DD to a part time preschool program and I'm not thrilled that her chances of getting sick are going to increase. </p> <p>In her 22 months of life she's never really gotten sick--only bad congestion (that she caught from me) and roseola. </p> <p>I hardly ever got sick as a baby/child (perfect attendance in school!) and I rarely get sick as an adult. I'll get hit with a cold once a year or so and only get sick when I'm sleep deprived and I don't eat well. </p> <p>What do you think? </p>