13 month baby ill and starting milk again during night...help!

[suestar35]

It seems that from when she hit 8 months DD2 has had colds, sickness and the latest bout which started about 2 weeks ago is a very heavy cold and chest/ear infection (got antibiotics today from GP).

She doesn't eat much anyway but has virtually refused solids for a couple of weeks and drinking very small amounts of milk during the day. The last four nights I have had to offer her some milk during the night which I am scared that this will now set up a habit ie when she is better she will still look for this milk during the night.

Feeling exhaused and a bit overwhelmed can anyone offer advice on this one please? Thanks

[teaandcakeplease]

I am not an expert but it has always put a spanner in the works when my two have been ill. My son aged 13 months now often wakes at night if poorly and may not settle again without a bottle. My daughter used to be the same. At the end of the day if they're poorly it is really comforting for them.

Try to rest when you can, put karvol in cot, or give them a vapour rub, tilt the cot, calpol to keep temperature down (I mix it in with the bottle milk often) and just be patient. When they're better you can break them of the habit - if it has become one...

My LO always go off solids when poorly too. Give her whatever she will eat right now and try not to worry. You could buy some Abidec vitamin drops to help her immune system?

You can retrain them once better, I've always had to do this. I do the baby whisperer PUPD method.

I believe at this stage they can catch a cold every 6 weeks. My certainly seems to recover and then catch another, feels almost constant but at least it's building up their immune system. I think as my daughter is now 2 and a half as we're out at playgroups etc my son is catching them from there

Good luck, can you other half let you have a nap today to catch up a bit? Use some ear plugs or something so you're not listening out and worrying. Try not to worry about housework, rest is more important right now, sleep when they sleep if you're OH isn't about x

[teaandcakeplease]

*My boy

There's a few grammatical errors in my message. Sorry, typed too fast!

[suestar35]

teasandcake please thank you so much for this input...I am feeling very alone in all of this tonight as DD2 sadly isn't any better. She had allergic reaction to penicillin and has chronic diar and vomiting...it feels never ending. x

[teaandcakeplease]

Oh no! Your poor thing. Try and sleep when you can as I said before, until they get better. I am so sorry, sending you a huge hug x

Maybe you'll have a few more tips tonight from other mumsnetters who've been through this too.