Tis’ the Season over here…. BACK TO SCHOOL GERMS. I am not sure about you, but I always get so excited about sending my little ones to preschool but then, quickly remember that school germs are the WORST.

A lot of parents can become extremely nervous when their little one gets sick. Not just because their little one is extremely uncomfortable, but because also, they are worried their child’s healthy sleep habits will disappear.

Brooke here to remind you that a child with amazing sleep habits is a child who can sleep through anything and also, get back to those skills after a time period of fun, emergencies or sickness.

So, let’s discuss Sleep & Sickness.

If we are dealing with Nasal Congestion, Cough, Runny Noses as in Seasonal Allergies or Viruses let’s ensure that we are making the child comfortable.

Below are some steps we take to help our girls feel comfortable throughout the day and night during their battles with colds and viruses. These should all be spoken over with the child’s pediatrician.

Making the Child Comfortable:

Nose Suction and Saline: Offering Saline and Nasal Suction before naps and bedtime can help with clearing your little one’s nose before laying them down flat. The build up of fluid can be extremely uncomfortable when laying flat.
1. Also, if your child seems to be restless in the night parents should enter and offer nose suctioning again.
Humidifier: This allows for sinuses to be soothed and the cold symptoms to be lessened.
Vapor Rub: Applying this to their chest and feet!

These steps above will not ensure 11-12 hours of sleep at night, but they will ensure that your little one is MORE comfortable. These small steps can go a long way.

Throwing in breathing issues and vomiting can be tricky. Let’s ensure that we are still making the child feel comfortable, taking advice from the pediatrician, and asking outside support to help you get sleep so that you can better support your little one (I know that not everyone has the same VILLAGE).

Do what you need to do, to get sleep, but ensure safety is happening, and if your little one is sleeping on you (while you are awake) then, remember… we will get them back in their cribs or beds once they are feeling better. Their Sleeping Habits are not disappearing.

Routine while Sick:

Now that we understand how to make a child feel comfortable with their cold and virus symptoms I know you are wondering what routine looks like with a sick child.

FLEXIBLE. It looks FLEXIBLE.

This means that sleep is the best medicine, or so they say. So, we let them SLEEP. Parents always ask, but how long? That is totally up to the parent, but I always suggest adding 15-30 mins to each nap and then, an early bedtime. Early as in 20-30 mins early if naps were well and 60-90 mins if naps did not go so well.

If they are falling asleep in the car or on you, no worries. Sleep is what they need. So, allow them to sleep and enjoy the cuddles.

After Sickness:

Once your little one is feeling better let’s put these steps back in place to ensure everyone gets back to better sleep.

Bedtime Routine: begin cueing their brains again that sleep is coming with a comfortable bedtime routine.
1. Bath, pajamas, book and bed for Toddlers and Milk for babies under 1.
Room Environment: Dark Room and Sound Machine with an early bedtime.

Keep these steps in place for 2-4 days and see that things will quickly fall back into place.

Children with amazing sleep habits will not forget what is expected of them. Things will return to normal and sleep will happen.

For any questions email Brooke at support@therestingbee.com

Brooke