Why does DD get terrible trapped wind when she has a cold?

[DecapitatedLegoman]

She's a year old and has had a cold for the last 4 days. Every night she's been sleeping better than usual (less wakeups) but when she does wake she's thrashing around for literally hours until a fart comes. Lots of dozing off then waking with a start, tossing and turning, grimacing.

Weird.

[HerdOfTinyElephants]

At a guess, because having a cold makes her breathe through her mouth and that leads her to drool and swallow more and to swallow more air. But I have just invented that explanation off the top of my head so it may be completely wrong.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

I was going to offer the same explanation as Herd I have no idea if its correct, but it would seem to make logical sense

[DecapitatedLegoman]

Thanks :)

It's odd, I've never heard about it anywhere, but it's way more of a problem to her than the sniffles are - in fact she generally sleeps better when she has a cold than she does when she's well - except for the wind :(

[Iggly]

Can you give her a teaspoon of peppermint tea an hour before bed? We do this with DS to help settle his stomach. When they've got colds sometimes it's harder to digest foods, especially dairy, giving you a bit more wind. If you're really ill sometimes you have to stop dairy for a bit but if just a mild cold it only has a minor effect.

[DecapitatedLegoman]

That's really interesting Iggly, thanks :)

[Bonsoir]

Can you give her a long hot steamy bath right before bed and clean her nose right out (with damp cotton wool or Sterimar)? The hot water will free her airways and help her breathe and can also help with her digestion.