Parents bringing sick babies to classes

Am i right to be angry at this? My son was unwell two weeks ago and recovering last week. He was well by the Thursday but i waited until Monday to take him back to a baby class. About half way into the class a child who was coughing came over to where i was and their mum followed them over saying ‘oh don’t mind him he’s just a bit full of the cold’ to which the mum next to me replied ‘oh don’t worry my little girl had it two weeks ago and i’m still full of it’. I was so upset, it was really scary seeing my small baby unwell and these mums were sat there fully admitting to being at classes with sick babies/being unwell themselves. My child was feeling much better in himself last week but i kept him off and missed out on paid classes as i would hate to make another baby sick. I know once they are bigger in nursery etc it’s hard to avoid, but i think when it’s a class full of young babies who won’t even have had all their jabs it seems to unfair to take your sick child along? I didn’t know how to react and i was anxious for the rest of the time we were there. I’m also pretty sure it was the mum who had the sick child two weeks ago who gave it to my baby!🫠

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If we stayed indoors every time either one of us was a bit poorly, we'd never leave the house. It's cold season, it's inevitable unfortunately.

@Charley i do get that, but i think if your child is very obviously coughing/sneezing/ unwell it’s quite irresponsible to take them to a class aimed at little babies! We all know how quickly a cold can turn to RSV or something sinister. I at least would of kept my little one away from the babies or to their own activity mat There’s also lots you can do with your child without attending a class. I took my baby to public places when he was recovering like the garden centre or out on walks when he felt much better instead.

Totally with you on this one, I'd be mad if someone took their ill child and passed it on to me/mine. If my son has been ill, I've stayed away from classes as I don't think it's fair for other kids to suffer if mine is poorly. Totally agree with you here

I think it is really inconsiderate, I don’t blame you for being mad

It is infuriating. I would check the class policy on this, as I know at least one of our classes specifically states that an ill child should not attend. If it's against policy maybe ask the class leader to share a friendly reminder?

I fully believe this ‘should’ be the attitude. However it most definitely is not and it’s one of those things where unless everybody follows the same principle, there’s no point. It’s rough for sure but try remind yourself that each illness brings with it new antibodies and immune system strength for your little one!

Thank you everyone, i think i was extra frustrated as i’ve kept him off all activities like that! I know it’s not totally avoidable but their attitude just surprised me

My little girl has been so sick since she's been born, she had the flu so we went out and about shops to keep us busy and her distracted but I wouldn't have dared bring her into contact with other babies intentionally. We were at a class this morning and one of the mums said her son had bronchitis and she still brought him!!! There was a 6 week old sat next to them. She got up and left. Why should the healthy children have to leave?? Some people are irresponsible

@Kaylee i know it seems so unfair. I can’t imagine even wanting to take my baby to class if they were that unwell🫠

I’ve missed the last 3 classes for my baby because he’s had a viral infection for coming up to 4 weeks now and it was a no brainer for me to not take him I wouldn’t want the other babies to get sick! I’ve lost out on quite a bit of money but I don’t care the babies health comes first! I’ve still taken him out for walks to get fresh air but wouldn’t dream of taking him to a class where germs can be spread so easily using props etc! I would be angry too I completely agree with you x

I suppose it depends on if the class was only for babies? You said a child came over. If that’s a toddler it’s hard as they are constantly coughing with the time of the year, cold season and nursery illnesses. My 2 year old is ill more often than not. We would never leave the house. If they have no temp, don’t need calpol and are allowed to go to nursery then people probably see no problem in taking them to a class. Toddlers are a lot harder to keep entertained than a baby

@Rachel it was a class for under 1’s this but 90% of the class is babies from a month to 4 months. The baby crawled forward to the side where all the littler babies were. Totally get that it’s more common in toddlers and if it had been a soft play centre or group of older children of 2/3 i think it would have felt different.

I would check with whoever runs the class on their policy. They might send a reminder out to parents. I know our Hartbeeps class has one

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