How to handle sleep when your child is sick?
Our family recently had a stomach bug that was truly one of the worst stomach bugs I have ever seen (and I’m a pediatric nurse). My kids were sick for 6 straight days and it was such a tiring week.
We wanted to take today’s episode to share some tips for handling sleep while your child is sick.
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1.Give yourself permission to relax / it’s ok to get off normal routine + extra cuddles
The first thing I want to do is encourage you. When our kids are sick, it is absolutely 100% okay to stray from our typical routines and expectations. You will never hear us say to not give cuddles or comfort your little one when they’re sick. They’re going to need those extra snuggles and love and it’s the most natural thing in the world for mom and dad to do that!
2. Keep the parts of your normal routine that you can
A few things that are usually pretty easy to keep in place while our kids are sick are:
Their normal sleep or bedtime routines: you can continue to do these, or a shorter version of them, before they sleep. They’ll probably sleep more during the day, so nap times may be more frequent or at different times, and that’s ok.
If you feel comfortable with it, you can also pretty easily have them continue to sleep and nap in their normal sleep environment with a dark room and their sound machine.
These two things will help your little one get more restorative sleep.
3. Consider going to your kids vs bringing them to you
Instead of bringing your little one into your bed with you, consider going to them instead.
Last year my youngest got so sick I was starting to get pretty concerned and I could also tell she just really needed her mama right there next to her for comfort. I have a floor mattress that I bring into my kids room if I feel like they need me to be right there or I want to keep a closer eye on them throughout the night. I set it up right next to their bed for as many nights as I need to and then I simply put it away and stop when they’re better or I feel they don’t need me right by their side any longer.
A few nights of extra support will not be enough to ruin their sleep (unless you never go back to their normal routine when they’re better).
4. Don’t let your child sleep longer than 3 hours at a time during the day
Babies and kids need will more sleep when they’re sick, so longer or extra naps are good and expected, however, they still need calories and hydration. We recommend waking your little one at the three hour mark during the day to make sure they’re getting plenty of sleep but also plenty of food and water.
How do you get back on track after your child is better?
I think this part gets really overcomplicated. You literally jump right back into your normal routine and don’t continue doing things you didn’t do before they were sick.
It may take a few days for your child’s sleep to get back to normal, and that is completely expected and ok! But once they’re 100% better, it’s time to reinstate your normal expectations and boundaries around bedtime and sleep.
If your little one struggles with sleep in general, please know there is hope! We offer 1:1 personalized sleep plans that give parents the individualized support they need and a step by step plan to help their child begin sleeping 11-12 hours each night.
If you have a newborn and you’d like to lay the foundation for healthy sleep right off the bat, our newborn sleep class will help you do just that! It’s a no cry approach for newborn sleep.