8 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep When Sick
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If you've spent a lot of time and effort getting your child to fall asleep on her own without the use of sleep aids like nursing, bottle feeding, or rocking, you might be worried about going backward in the sleep department.
Your child's body will tell her to sleep more when she is sick in order to help her fight bacteria and viruses. It does not appear that way to parents because the child's sleep will be disrupted more than usual. Coughing, sniffling, and general malaise will make it difficult for your child to fall asleep.
It's always best to talk to your baby's pediatrician about special care when they are not well, whether you're caring for their illness now or just making sure you're fully prepared when your sick baby won't sleep.
Firstly, Here Are 5 Things You Should Never Do When Your Sick Baby doesn’t Sleep
#1. Never Ignore a Rising Temperature
Babies have a weak immune system. This makes them vulnerable to infections, which are reflected in a rise in body temperature. The situation will worsen if not addressed. What you should know as a mother or father is that a baby's normal body temperature varies.
Warm weather, thick blanket covers, room temperature, or overdressing can all contribute to this. A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. If your sick baby won't sleep, cranking up the AC to lower the room temperature will not create a conducive environment. If you notice a fever in your child, contact his or her pediatrician right away.
#2. Don’t Force an Ill Child to Tire Themselves
Playing allows your child to grow physically while also allowing them to express themselves creatively, which helps with dexterity, emotional strength, cognitive skills, and imagination. It is also required for normal brain development.
Play allows children to interact with the world around them. Children can develop various skills while playing, such as balance, strength, and coordination
When your child is sick, he or she will be irritable, unplayful, or lack the energy to engage in various activities. As a parent, forcing your child to burn more calories just to tire them out isn't the best solution, especially if your child is sick and won't sleep.
Your child may have health issues that you aren't aware of, such as cerebral palsy, that are already making your little angel tired. Before attempting to "tire them out," new parents must recognize the warning signs of cerebral palsy and other serious childhood illnesses to avoid exacerbating the problem.
Children, like you, need a lot of rest when they're sick. You don't have to force them to sleep to get them to sleep. If you take the necessary precautions, everything should be fine.
#3. Never Increase Your Child’s Dosage
So, when you found out your child was sick, you took the proper precautions. You've returned home after a visit to your infant's pediatrician. Your doctor has given you a prescription for your child's medication.
The medicine has been given clear instructions to ensure that it boosts your child's immune system, allowing it to fight the pathogens within.
Your infant is crying at home because of the discomfort caused by an increase in body temperature. You're at a loss for what to do because he or she has been crying for hours.
Nothing seems to work, even though you've tried everything from singing lullabies to taking a short walk around the backyard. As a result, you decide to increase the dosage of your baby's medicine because you already know it contains a sleep-inducing ingredient.
It's important to keep in mind that doing so could result in an unintentional overdose. This will only make things worse. Patience is required. Follow your doctor's instructions for dosage. In a few days, your child should be fine.
#4. Not Comfort Your Child as You Should
When your child or baby becomes ill, they require the same level of care and treatment as you. They want you to reassure them that their pain will go away, and they want you to calm them down if they're afraid.
As you are aware, your infant has not yet learned to speak, so crying is their only means of expressing their distress. It's up to you to comfort your sick child when he or she refuses to sleep. You can sing them a lullaby, read them a book, listen to soothing music with them, or even rock them in their chair.
#5. Don’t Enforce a Sleeping Schedule On Your Newborn
When you gave birth in the hospital, you were surrounded by nurses and family members. The nurses were ready to help, so you could sleep and relax.
After you'd finished breastfeeding, they'd take your baby to the nursery so you could get some rest. You didn't have to cook or clean up after yourself. When you get home, everything changes. We women and our partner/spouse spend the majority of our time together.
During the first weeks of your baby's life, our breasts become feeding machines, with superwoman nesting hormones coursing through their veins. The chores that were previously done for us while we were in the hospital are now the responsibility of our parents. Doing the laundry, doing the dishes, cooking meals, and, most importantly, taking care of yourself are all part of this.
As a first-time parent, your baby will take you on an adventure, especially when it comes to sleeping patterns. If your baby is sick, you may find him or her fighting sleep or sleeping all day.
If you believe that enforcing a sleeping schedule right away will solve your problems. In your child's life, you should give him or her some leeway. If you try to impose a sleeping schedule on the baby, both you and the baby will be frustrated. If you do decide to implement a sleeping schedule, start slowly.
Here 5 Tips to Help You Comfort Your Sick Baby
When your baby has a cold, some simple remedies and a large dose of love can help them feel better. And, of course, you'll get a lot more sleep as a result!
Tip #1: Make Sleep Easier
Use a humidifier or a cool-mist vaporizer. They add moisture to their bedroom's air, which is sorely needed. This keeps their nasal passages moist and helps them sleep better at night by reducing coughing and stuffiness. Make sure to clean the device on a regular basis to avoid mold growth.
Raise your child's brows. When you lie flat, coughing gets worse, which is bad news for bedtime. Raising the head of your baby's crib a few inches may be beneficial. A towel can be rolled up and placed under the mattress's head, or books can be placed under the legs.
Tip #2: Push Fluids
When babies are sick, they, like adults, require plenty of fluids. Fluids aid in the thinning of mucus, making it easier to clear. Breast milk and formula are the best options for babies under the age of six months. Water, juice, or small amounts of rehydration solutions can also be given to older babies.
Tip #3: Ease Coughing
For older babies, offer small amounts of warm, clear fluids to help thin mucus. While the cough lasts, drink 1 to 3 teaspoons of warm apple juice or water four times a day.
Honey can also be used if your child is older than 12 months. As needed, give 1/2 teaspoon to a teaspoon throughout the day. You can also use it before going to bed. It has been shown in studies to be more effective than cough syrup in relieving nighttime hacking. Use the mist from a warm shower to relieve coughing spasms. Sit in a steamy bathroom with your baby.
Tip #4: When You Need to Treat a Fever
"It's not necessary to treat every high temperature." It's fine to leave the fever alone if your baby is drinking and doesn't appear to be in any pain. However, if she's uncomfortable, not drinking, or otherwise acting ill, lowering the fever may help her feel better.
A word of caution: don't give cough and cold medicine to children under the age of four. If your child is between the ages of 4 and 6, consult your doctor about whether or not you should administer medication to alleviate symptoms.
Tip #5: Give Lots of Love
There's no better way to comfort a sick child than to hold them close. They'll love the attention, whether in a baby carrier or in your arms, and it'll probably make you both feel better.
I hope these 20 travel hacks help to make sure your baby sleeps while on vacation
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