How to help a sick baby sleep with Nicole Gleeson

Did you know that it is common for children to have up to twelve viruses per year in the first few years of life? Illness is inevitable but fortunately these bouts of illnesses usually decrease as they grow older.  

It can feel overwhelming when it seems like your little one is perpetually sick, especially when one virus follows another shortly after recovery.  

In this blog post we are going to address the common questions about how to help a sick baby sleep including,, do humidifiers work, sleep environments, how to dress them and much more.  

Does a sick baby sleep more?  

When babies and young children are unwell with a virus, it’s normal for them to sleep more. Their immune system is working hard to fight off the virus, leading to increased fatigue. 
Sleep promotes rest, recovery and healing as well as conserving energy.  
However, it’s worth noting that their sleep patterns may vary; some children may sleep more, while others may experience disrupted or restless sleep due to discomfort, congestion, coughing or fever. 
If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep or overall health it is recommended to seek advice and assessment from a healthcare professional.  If your child is difficult to wake or has severe lethargy you should seek urgent medical attention.  

How to help my sick baby sleep? 

It’s common that your little one might be clinging to you like a koala, (hello contact naps), they will only sleep when they are being held. This is very common and normal for them to be more needy and clingy than usual. Make yourself comfortable and take advantage of these beautiful cuddles. I love settling my baby on my iL Tutto Frankie Electric Recliner Glider Chair as it gently glides and swivels in a super smooth motion that bubs loves. The Frankie chair is electric and you can seamlessly recline with a push of a button. It also has USB charging points so I can charge my phone and my kindle whilst we are super cozy with the tall backrest. The side pockets are a winner too, they are great for storing books and my kindle. 

Just like us, when babies are unwell, they might be feeling a little more restless or unsettled.  

Lots of cuddles and tender loving care can help support them to sleep. 
Decreasing noise and light, bouncing, rocking, calm lullaby, soft toy comforter, the shh-pat methods can all work well. Trying different positions and environments such as gently rocking in the Cozee Bassinet,  the pram or gently bouncing on a fit ball can be helpful too. Patience is key- it's normal for sick babies to take longer to settle. The CoZee Breeze Plus Co-Sleeping Bassinet is fantastic for settling bubs as it has transparent mesh sides and this makes it easy to keep an extra close eye on bubs and allows for excellent ventilation. It has six different heights so you can adjust the bassinet depending on your bed height. All very relevant features as when your baby is sick you want them close to you. 

If your little one is displaying signs of pain or discomfort, try administering some simple over the counter, age-appropriate pain relief such as paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. This may alleviate a sore throat, headache or an ear ache etc. Your pharmacist or GP will be able to help guide you with the best medication to administer.  

‘Does using a humidifier help? ’

The effectiveness of humidifiers in improving your baby’s sleep environment when they're sick is still debated. If you’re interested, you can delve deeper into this topic in our blog on humidification here: Humidification for Sick Kids. While there’s no significant harm in trying a humidifier, it’s important to choose what works best for your specific situation. 

How can I help my child's nighttime cough? 

Avoid giving cough medicine to children under six years old. For children older than 12 months, there is some evidence that demonstrates that honey may help reduce the severity and duration of a cough. The Royal Children’s Hospital suggests one to two teaspoons of honey before bedtime as a short-term remedy. However, honey should not be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism. 
 
How to clear a baby’s blocked nose? 

The use of normal saline drops or nasal sprays into the nostrils can help loosen and clear out mucus in the nose. Helping your baby loosen and clear the mucus not only increases comfort levels and makes it easier for them to breathe, but it also increases the chance of a baby feeding more effectively from the breast or bottle If the nose is filled with mucous you might like to try a nasal aspirator such as the Dreambaby Nasal Aspirator or the Snotty Boss Nasal Aspirator for effective solutions. 

How to dress my baby when they have a fever? 

 
The aim when dressing your baby when they are unwell or have a fever, is for them to be as comfortable as possible.  

Room temperature and clothing is the same for both day and night sleep.  

Babies cannot regulate their temperature as well as we can, so the layers are important. Think singlet, zippee / onesie and sleeping bag.  

When babies are unwell, dress them the same as when they are well. 

Ensure that you are dressing your little one in breathable and natural fabrics. Try to avoid synthetic materials as they aren’t as breathable.  

Placing your hand on their chest or back is the best indicator of how warm your child is.  

Remember to avoid touching their hands and feet as a warmth as this is not an accurate assessment of how warm they are. 

Try your best to let go of all expectations and be led by your little one’s cues.  

If possible, seek out additional support to help take the pressure off.  

Remember this is just a phase and soak up those additional cuddles