For many working mothers, the end of maternity leave comes with mixed feelings. The baby is heading to crèche, while Mum heads back to work — and sometimes, the first “welcome package” from crèche is a runny nose, cough or fever.
But does that mean the crèche is dirty?
Not necessarily.
The simple explanation is exposure. At home, a baby has a small circle of people. At crèche, there are other babies, caregivers, toys, surfaces and plenty of close contact. Germs now have more opportunities to move around.
Babies also love touching things and putting their hands — and almost anything else they can grab — into their mouths. Some infections can spread even before a child looks sick.
Good cleaning and handwashing can reduce the risk, but they cannot create a germ-free bubble around every baby.
Around six months, another major change is happening: complementary feeding begins. But parents should not blame new foods for every illness. The World Health Organisation recommends complementary foods from about six months while breastfeeding continues.
And for Nigerian parents, there is one important distinction: malaria is different. A baby does not catch malaria from another child. It is spread through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. So, when a baby develops a fever, it is important to get the child properly assessed rather than simply assuming, “It must be crèche.”
So, should parents panic when a baby falls ill after starting crèche?
Not necessarily.
Instead, look beyond the toys. Is the centre well ventilated? Are hands washed regularly? Are toys and surfaces cleaned? Are visibly sick children kept away when necessary?
Are caregivers paying attention to the babies?
Because the goal isn’t to raise babies in a world without germs — that’s impossible.
It is to give them a cleaner, safer environment while they grow, learn, play and, yes, occasionally come home with a runny nose.
But when an illness is severe, persistent or comes with difficulty breathing, unusual weakness, dehydration or other worrying symptoms, “they are just getting used to crèche” is not an answer. See a healthcare professional.
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