cuddling through a cold

[nervy555]

Hi, hoping I can get some advice or reassurance. My 6mo ds was just starting to sleep in his cot from 7-10/11 without waking more than once or twice but the we all got colds and for the last three nights he has woken every 40 mins crying. Last night and tonight I've been rubbish and just brought him down stairs until we go to bed- he'll sleep happily on me or the sofa next to me.

I feek like a failure. Dh thinks we should 'tough'(cry!) It out but I'm hoping it'll resolve itself when he's feeling better. He's never been a good sleeper but like I say he was improving. Can we get back to that? Or am I wrong to cuddle him through his cold?

[HenriettaPie]

If your child is sick I would not leave him to cry it out- children need cuddles and comfort when they aren't feeling well! It may be just a cold you you and me however your child is so young and doesn't understand why he is feeling so rotten. Please don't leave him to cry

[nervy555]

Oh no, absolutely no intention of leaving him to cry- I was just trying to explain the worry.

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

DD (5mo) is coming to the end of a horrible cold. My approach is this - we need sleep to fight off viruses and so I prioritise doing whatever's necessary for everyone to get enough sleep to get better again. For us, that meant co-sleeping (not everyone's cup of tea, I know) with frequent boob in the night. This might be a bit of a setback and you might need to re-train him a little once he's better but at least you'll all be healthy and better equipped to face the challenge if it comes! Hope he gets well soon.

[summerlovingliz]

Agree, do what you can to get sleep! We have just had nearly a wk of the same, awful colds and coughs, extra milk, cuddles and most importantly regular doses of calpol!!

[SummerSevern]

Nervy I'm in exactly the same situation atm. I'm cuddling and co-sleeping and doing everything I can to help her feel better, but I can't help but feel a little bit gutted because she'd just started sleeping a bit better and just moved into her own room. Feels like 1 step forward, 2 steps back.
And I do worry about having to start from scratch once her cold has gone.

[nervy555]

Thanks for the replies. Have now tied musrltin knots trying to work out if it actually is the cold stopping him from staying asleep. He will sleep on me or by me in bed ir on the sofa so wondering if it could be separation anxiety. Trying to get childless friends to understand how hard this is is impossible so thank goodness for mumsnet!