6 Ways To Help Your Sick Baby Sleep

The most important thing to remember is sick babies need lots of love.

Sleep is disrupted for many of us when we get sick.

Most sick babies will actually sleep more overall. But they will often wake up more frequently during naps and nighttime. Don’t let this discourage you that your baby will not sleep again.

If you had a good sleeper, you will get her back once she’s well. If you didn’t have a solid sleeper before, then you are in the right place to get some help. We recommend booking a free 15 min consult for after this illness passes.

1) Continue following your normal bedtime and nap-time routine.

Those familiar cues that sleep is coming, such as bath time and books, are so important in helping your little one get the best sleep they can in order to recover.

2) Allow naps to be a bit longer than normal. (Remember, sleep is great medicine.)

Typically, for babies who are taking more than one nap, we cap each nap at about 2 hours. While sick, you can allow a bit more sleep, but keep in mind that awake time, hydration, and calories are important too. Trust your gut, but consider waking your little one if it has been longer than 2.5-3 hours for any given nap. Try to get in some good awake time before you put your baby down for sleep again.

See our Awake Times Guide for age appropriate awake times.

Top tip: Research shows that when we get adequate sleep, our bodies have a boosted immune system to fight off infections. That means helping your little one sleep is a vital part of preventing as well as fighting illnesses.

3) If you’re wanting to be closer to your baby while they’re sick, consider camping out on a mattress in her room, rather than bringing her into yours.

Some parents like to pull baby into their room during sick times in order to be closer to them and hear them breath.

It is best to avoid creating new sleep associations and routines. Once your baby is better, it can be difficult to get them back in their own cot or to self-settle. A way to be close to your little one but not disrupt their sleeping environment could be to take a mattress into your baby’s room and sleep on the floor.

This will help maintain consistency during the illness, yet fulfil your heart’s desire to watch your baby’s every move.
Don’t we all sleep better in our own bed? Babies do too.

4) If your baby is struggling with sleep while sick, you may need to give him a little extra help.

Sickness and discomfort can make it more difficult for babies to fall asleep and stay asleep independently. If your baby needs more help, this could mean rubbing his back or picking them up.

5) If she isn’t eating well during the day or is struggling with vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to offer the breast or bottle during the night.

Yes, this can still apply even if she has been previously weaned of night feedings.

If your breastfed child is younger than six months, offer extra breastfeeds.

If your formula-fed child is younger than six months, offer the usual amount of formula.

If your baby is older than six months, keep breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
You can also offer your child clear fluids like water. If your child is older, use an oral rehydration fluid like Gastrolyte® or Hydralyte™. You can buy these from pharmacies and many supermarkets.

Maintaining hydration is important.

6) Provide comfort and a healthy environment for the fastest recovery time:

– Offer pain relief if required (as instructed by your doctor).

– For congestion/stuffiness, use saline drops and a Nose Frida to suction out that icky-cold snot.

– For coughing, run a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s room and/or consider sitting in a steamy bathroom with your baby.

– Give your baby lots of patience and snuggling.

– Wash your hands frequently.

– Clean your baby’s clothing, toys and environment often.

Want some extra help?

If you are concerned or worried about your baby due to illness, do not hesitate to call your GP or visit your nearest emergency department. You know your child best and trust your intuition.

If you are worried about your little one’s still struggling with their sleep, you can book in a free 15min consult.
During our chat we can discuss how we can achieve healthy sleep habits for your little one with a tailored sleep package just for them.