If it feels like your baby has had a runny nose since Labor Day, you’re not imagining it.
For many families, September marks the beginning of what can feel like an endless cycle of sniffles, coughs, fevers, and doctor visits. All it takes is one child bringing home a virus from daycare before the entire family is fighting off the same bug. And just as everyone starts to feel better, another illness seems to make its way through the house.
While it can be frustrating and exhausting, experts say there’s a reason so many babies and young children seem to get sick as soon as fall arrives. September brings together the perfect combination of back-to-school germs and cooler weather, making it easier for viruses to spread.
Dr. Gary Grosel, Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare, explains, “Babies’ immune systems are still developing. They have not yet been exposed to many everyday viruses, so their bodies are building protection (known as antibodies) one illness at a time.”
Understanding why these illnesses happen can help parents feel more prepared during the fall months. Here’s what experts want families to know about September’s “sick season” and how to keep little ones healthy.
WHY SEPTEMBER IS THE PERFECT STORM FOR GERMS
So why does September seem to kick off “sick season” every year?
Dr. Michael Bolton, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, says, “It is mostly because the temperature becomes more hospitable to viruses, allowing them to survive and replicate more easily as temperatures decrease. Additionally, cooler temperatures tend to dry out the nasal passages, making it more difficult for the body to clear viruses after exposure. Going back to school is often thought of as a major contributor, and while there are some trends to support that, it is not the only reason.”
BABIES VERSUS OLDER KIDS
Babies do tend to get sick more often than older children, and there’s a good reason why. Their immune systems are still learning how to recognize and fight off the many viruses they encounter for the first time.
Babies are born with some protection from antibodies passed along from their mothers during pregnancy, but that protection doesn’t last forever. Dr. Bolton explains that those maternal antibodies gradually decrease during the first year of life as babies begin building their own immune responses.
Every cold, cough, or virus exposure gives a baby’s immune system a chance to learn. Dr. Robert Frenck, a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s and director of the health system’s Vaccine Research Center, says, “A child’s immune system becomes better, some say trained, by being exposed to infections and developing its own antibodies.”
WHAT PARENTS CAN EXPECT
As fall respiratory season begins, parents are likely to see a variety of viruses, including the common cold, croup, RSV, influenza, and COVID-19. Ear infections can also become more common after viral infections, and stomach bugs like rotavirus and norovirus tend to circulate more often during the fall and winter months.
Dr. Frenck says young children can experience an average of 8–10 respiratory infections each year during their first two years of life.
Many of these illnesses can look similar at first. Dr. Grosel explains that symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, fever, fussiness, or poor feeding. For parents, it is often less about identifying the exact virus and more about paying attention to how their baby is doing overall, especially their breathing, hydration, and energy level.
HELPING BABIES STAY HEALTHY
While there’s no way to avoid every sniffle or cough, there are simple steps families can take to help reduce the spread of germs and support their baby’s health during sick season.
The experts share that the basics still matter: wash hands often, clean frequently touched toys and surfaces, keep children home when they are sick, avoid sharing cups or utensils, and stay up to date on recommended vaccines. Healthy routines also play an important role. Adequate sleep, hydration, and consistent schedules help babies’ bodies function and recover when illness does happen.
For parents whose babies seem to be sick constantly after starting daycare or preschool, Dr. Grosel offers reassurance: “The first year in daycare or preschool often feels like one illness after another because a child is meeting many viruses for the first time. Most healthy children recover well and build immune memory over time.”
WHEN TO CALL THE PEDIATRICIAN
Most childhood illnesses can be managed with rest, fluids, and plenty of cuddles, but parents should contact their pediatrician if their baby has a fever in a baby younger than three months, trouble breathing, signs of dehydration, unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking, or symptoms that are getting worse instead of better.
Above all, trust your instincts. Dr. Grosel reminds parents that they should always call their pediatrician if they are worried.
THE BOTTOM LINE
These first years won’t always be filled with back-to-back illnesses. As babies grow, so do their immune systems, and with time, many families find that the sick season becomes a little easier to manage.
IMMUNE-SUPPORTING FOODS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
Good nutrition can’t stop every cold, but it can help support your child’s developing immune system year-round. Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN, BLW, a child feeding expert and author of Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention, encourages parents to focus on variety by offering fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods, whole grains, healthy fats, and dairy products throughout the week.
Some nutrient-rich foods to keep in rotation include:
Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and butternut squash: Rich in beta-carotene, which supports immune function.
Berries, oranges, kiwi, and broccoli: Provide vitamin C and other important nutrients.
Eggs, meat, beans, and dairy: Offer protein, iron, and zinc to support growth and immunity.
Avocado, olive oil, and nut butters: Provide healthy fats important for development.
Yogurt and kefir: Probiotic-rich foods that support a healthy gut microbiome.
Small additions can make a big difference. Try mixing berries into oatmeal, adding yogurt to snacks, or pairing a new food with a familiar favorite.
