Seriously…how do you manage daycare illnesses for infants?

I always saw comments on posts like “oh yeah, the first year just sucks but then it gets better.” I just feel like I so underprepared for this daycare problem and I’m not sure what else I can do?

I cried for weeks prior to putting my 3 month old in daycare but it’s been surprising okay!! Emotionally, being at work and knowing she’s taken care of at a good daycare…I’ve been fine. And then after only 3 days in daycare, she has been sick with a fever for the last 3 days. She’s coming out the other end of it but now I have it bad, my husband is getting it, and my elderly parents who live with us will probably get it too.

I’m out of work today already because my employer is drawing a hard line on all remote work and I had to use all my PTO during a rough pregnancy so if this continues, I will basically be working just to put babe in daycare. All the financial benefit of me working will be gone.

And being sick and taking care of a sick baby? Not a good time. Knowing that if I feel this awful, my poor little baby probably felt just as awful? Makes me feel even worse.

Daycare is already a logistical nightmare without the illnesses so I’m trying to see if I should just quit my job and bartend a couple nights a week instead.

Are the illnesses as bad as what I’ve read? Can we expect to get sick a couple times a month the first year? Would love to hear your experiences and how you manage(d) it!