Premature babies.

[suzydominguez]

Hello everyone,

I would like to know if anyone has had any premature children enroll in your daycares. I have a mom that would like to enroll her 1 year old son with me in July, he is premature and has chronic lung disease. I am not worried that he is premature, but I am concerned with his disease. Any advice, or information would be appreciated. Thank you :)

[kindertime]

I worked as a nanny for a family with a child who was premature. There were a lot of issues, but not with her breathing. So personally, I don't believe a home daycare is the right setting. If this child needs constant monitoring, special equipment, medication, are you prepared to deal with all that? And as well as the other kids too? If he has a tube for oxygen, can you guarantee that none of the other children will touch it or tamper with it, even accidentally? Do you have a really great back-up support system set up for a possible emergency ambulance call.

My suggestion is that if you decide to move ahead with this child, be very clear and prepared with every aspect of this child's medical issues. Talk to the parents about every single aspect of the day and every possible scenario so you can be comfortable and the child can be safe. Good luck!

[Lee-Bee]

The chronic lung condition would be my concern. As a home care provider you are one person caring for many needy, dependent children. When one child has medical issues that require extra time and concern then it can take away from the others and can add stress. I would think that the chronic lung condition might put the child at greater risk for catching (and further complicating) common colds etc.

It kind of sucks for the family because while as a caregiver the child is not a great fit...a centre based daycare is likely a riskier environment for such a child (more kids more germs etc).

If this child goes into medical distress how will you handle it, and the other children in care?

[Busy ECE mommy]

Those medical needs sound like more than most of us could handle due to our group size. We can't provide one on one care in this setting. I guess it's up to you and what you can manage. Personally, I'd pass.

[MsBell]

both my kids were preemies, but my son was a micro preemie (born at 24 weeks gestation, weight 1lbs 7 ounces) he had chronic lung too, but they usaully grow out of it by two ( at which time the actual and corrected age should align) the big concern is colds and other respiratory illnesses. This child will get a lot, and they will last longer and they will likely get croup a few times as a toddler too (my son did too) however, this child will likely have got the RSV shots during their first winter home, so that should not be a fear. I am curious what this child needs that others dont, perhaps an inhaler still. Just keep in mind that f you take on a preemie, to always consider the corrected age over the actual. so my son was really only 9 months when he turned a year, but he had so many issues at birth, that even at 9 months, he was delayed. They only other warning, a very early preemie will (should) have a ton of appt with therapists, and doctors, as well as more sick days, so if you dont get paid for sick days of days off, you might want to make a special contract note for this family.

I just wanted to add, vaccinations for preemies are typically done at their actual age, so as long as this family does vaccinations, that should not be an issue either

[5 Little Monkeys]

One of my very first dckids was a preemie. He had frequent appointments with specialists (physio/speech) until about 18-24 months and than they decreased quite a bit and he was sick often with ear infections, colds and sinus infections. Other than that though, he was no extra work or concern.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I not think it issue to have premature babies in dayhome but more so, the health problem some have as result of it. I used have a severe disabled little girl here. She fed through tube, unable walk or talk even age 3, diapered, and oxygen tank. We had smaller portable tank when we go on walk and larger tank which limited range of movement inside to length of tubes attached to tank. Not really issue since she not walk or crawl.

For me, I would not take disabled child again. It very restrictive in term of planning and this child really needed one on one care.

Even with you potential client, chronic lung disease likely mean lower immunity with common illnesses that happen in daycare. I would be worried about another child be dosed and dropped and exposing this child. I also be concerned about if he need increased level care during day at cost of other children.

I think you need talk with parent, get real understand of what his daily life look like and then make informed decision.

[mickyc]

My new one was premature. I didn't know about it until they started. I don't really think the parents realize he is delayed. He has no medical issues other than he is at about a 10 month level as opposed to 12 months. My other infant is 1 month older and there is a very large gap! It is a lot of extra work! I usually look for kids over 18 months but had to take 2 at 12 months to fill spaces. It's exhausting lol

[Van]

I am just wondering if a nanny at home with this child would be the best for him until he is 3 years old then he can go to a daycare and be able to fight the colds and flu he will get
have one on one care till then

[Lee-Bee]

I am just wondering if a nanny at home with this child would be the best for him until he is 3 years old then he can go to a daycare and be able to fight the colds and flu he will get
have one on one care till then

The cost of a nanny is quite a bit higher than daycare though. My nanny jobs all paid between $120-150 day plus they paid the EI and all that on top of my fees. For many this may not be an option even if it is the 'best' option for the child. I'm sure some nannies get paid under the table and a lot less, of course.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I am just wondering if a nanny at home with this child would be the best for him until he is 3 years old then he can go to a daycare and be able to fight the colds and flu he will get
have one on one care till then

This could be an option but than it kinda just delays the inevitable IMO.

[MsBell]

This could be an option but than it kinda just delays the inevitable IMO.
Yes it does, and the best way to build up that immune system, is to put it to work. There is another reason why a small home daycare is good for this little one, is the influence the other kids will have on them. MY son has a severe hearing loss, and was delayed in speech, but I started doing homeday care, and it was the perfect environment for him to hear a large vocabulary that was highly repetitive. It was also a great way for him to learn social skills while being non-verbal. You just dont get that with a nanny, and he would have been lost in a centre, three or four other kids his age hanging out all day, really was the best thing I did for his development. That said, lots of colds and coughs, but nothing that was life threatening.