I remember the first week my eldest started daycare. He came home with green stuff coming out of places I didn't know could produce green stuff. Within 48 hours the whole house was sick. And it just kept going. RSV, gastro, hand-foot-and-mouth, influenza, a random rash that nobody could identify. For about six months straight, it felt like we lived at the GP's office.
If this sounds familiar, I want you to know two things. First: this is completely normal. Second: there are things you can do nutritionally to support your child's immune system through this period. You can't prevent every bug (and honestly, some exposure is important for building long-term immunity), but you can give their body the best foundation to fight and recover.
6 to 12
colds per year is considered normal for young children, with children in group care settings often at the higher end. Most of this immunity-building happens in the first 1 to 2 years.
Why daycare kids get sick more often
It's not because your daycare is dirty (well, hopefully not). It's because your child's immune system is essentially meeting hundreds of viruses and bacteria for the very first time. At home, their exposure was limited. At daycare, they're sharing toys, food, air and a lot of bodily fluids with a whole room of other little humans doing the same thing.
This is actually how the immune system learns. Each time your child encounters a pathogen, their body builds specific antibodies to fight it. The silver lining? Research suggests that children who experience more infections in the early years tend to get sick less frequently once they start school. It's just a really rough road to get there.
What's normal vs what's concerning
Generally normal in the first year of daycare:
Frequent colds (up to one per month is not unusual), occasional gastro bugs, low-grade fevers that resolve within a few days, a runny nose that seems to never fully go away, and short-lived appetite changes during illness.
When to see your GP:
High fevers that don't respond to medication or last more than 3 days, persistent ear infections (more than 3 in 6 months), significant weight loss or failure to thrive, prolonged lethargy or behavioural changes, breathing difficulties, or recurrent infections that need antibiotics. If your gut is telling you something isn't right, trust it. You know your child.
The nutrients that actually matter for immunity
When I was formulating Kids Immune Protein, I studied the research extensively on which nutrients have the strongest evidence for supporting children's immune function. Here's what the science actually says:
Vitamin C supports immune cell function and acts as an antioxidant. Kids Immune Protein provides 62.4mg per serve (208% of the RDI) from organic camu camu, a wholefood source that's far more bioavailable than synthetic ascorbic acid alone.
Zinc is essential for the development and function of immune cells. Children with zinc deficiency have been shown to experience higher rates of respiratory infections and diarrhoeal illness. Each serve provides 1.8mg (40% of the RDI for toddlers).
Vitamin D plays a critical role in immune regulation. We source ours from organic shiitake mushroom powder, providing 2.5μg per serve (50% of the RDI).
Probiotics support the gut microbiome, which houses approximately 70% of the immune system. Each serve contains 1.5 billion CFU of Bacillus coagulans.
Elderberry and Echinacea have traditionally been used to support immune health. We've included both in a gentle, child-appropriate dose.
What I actually do at home during sick season
I'll be honest, I'm not the mum who has a perfect system. But here's what I've learned through three kids and a lot of trial and error:
Daily (prevention): My boys have their Immune Protein every day, usually mixed into milk before bed or blended into a smoothie. It's become part of our routine and they genuinely love it. Beyond that, I focus on a varied wholefood diet (when they'll eat it), outdoor time for natural vitamin D exposure, and good sleep hygiene.
When bugs hit (recovery): I double up on the Immune Protein (one serve in the morning, one at night) to top up on immune nutrients. I focus on warm, easy-to-digest foods like bone broth, porridge and smoothies. Hydration becomes the priority. And honestly? Sometimes it's just survival mode. A milkshake with Immune Protein is better than no nutrients at all when your child is refusing everything on their plate.
The "immunity milkshake" that started it all
When my eldest was going through RSV, influenza and pneumonia back to back, he'd lost weight and was refusing everything. I asked him what he wanted to eat and he said "a milkshake." That's when I started blending immune-supportive ingredients into something he'd actually drink. Those "immunity milkshakes" eventually became the formula for what is now Kids Immune Protein. It literally came from a desperate mum moment.
A few more practical tips for daycare season
Wash hands at pickup. This one is simple but effective. Get into the habit of washing your child's hands (and your own) as soon as you leave daycare.
Prioritise sleep. I know this is easier said than done, but a well-rested child has a significantly stronger immune response than a sleep-deprived one. Protect nap time where you can.
Don't skip meals. Even on busy mornings, try to send your child with a macro-balanced breakfast. Protein, fat and carbs work together to stabilise blood sugar and support energy throughout the day.
Build resilience, not avoidance. The goal isn't to prevent every illness. It's to make sure your child's body has what it needs to fight infections effectively and recover quickly.
The bottom line
The first year of daycare is hard. There's no way around it. But it does get better, and there are things you can do right now to give your child's immune system the support it needs. Focus on a wholefood diet with plenty of variety, support gut health with prebiotics and probiotics, make sure they're getting enough of the key immune nutrients (vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D), and on the days where it all falls apart, have a good safety net.
You're doing an amazing job. The fact that you're reading this tells me your child is in really good hands.
Nicola x
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualised medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's health or the frequency of their illnesses, please consult your GP.
Built for the daycare years
Kids Immune Protein combines vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, probiotics, prebiotics and elderberry in one daily serve. No synthetics, no fillers.
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