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AIBU?

To let my sick daughter sleep?

45 replies

slightlyconfused85 · 15/04/2014 08:53

My DD 17mo has had a vomit/tummy bug and was sick a lot of yesterday. She was also very sleepy but still managed to sleep until 6.15am this morning. Since then she has dozed, managed a little drink and a piece of dry toast and grizzled. She wanted to go back to bed just after 8am so I let her, she is exhausted. My MIL has just phoned and I told her DD was poorly and asleep - she said I shouldn't be letting her sleep as I need to keep her up and tire her out for her afternoon nap? She was emphatic that I should keep a poorly toddler awake. Now, I quite like my MIL but this is not good advice is it? If I wake her up she'll just cry and fall asleep on me - right now she's asleep in her cot while I drink tea and MN!

OP posts:

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JacksLady · 15/04/2014 18:28

Another one here who says let her sleep-sleep heals the body quicker in my opinion
I actually encourage mine to sleep when poorly

GallstoneCowboy · 15/04/2014 18:17

Next time MIL is ill, make sure you keep ringing her to keep her awake until you think its appropriate for her to sleep. Silly cow.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 15/04/2014 18:13

Good news OP. I would put good money on her still sleeping well tonight!

slightlyconfused85 · 15/04/2014 18:11

Thanks for all the lovely support and reassurce from lovely mumsnetters. My DD slept most of today but this evening is much perkier and asked for a little dinner which she ate. I'm very glad I left her to sleep and didnt listen to mil as she seems a bit better for it.

OP posts:

Raxacoricofallapatorius · 15/04/2014 13:24

Give milk as normal BTW. No need to water down.

Raxacoricofallapatorius · 15/04/2014 13:24

I started a thread when my dc1 had her first gastro bug as she was sleeping 23 hours out of 24 and I was worried. Seven years later, I know this not only the norm but also the best thing for them. Ds has had gastroenteritis. He is is 2.6 and on the mend but despite being up at 8, he was back in bed for 2hrs at 9.30.

FunkyBoldRibena · 15/04/2014 13:14

Next time she says something, ask her to qualify it so that you have time to formulate a response like 'So, you want me to wake her up and tire her out so that she can sleep, rather than just - erm - sleep? Really?'

londonrach · 15/04/2014 12:54

Sleep as it's the best medicine just check her fluids and make sure she not too hot or cold. Have a dh at home with same problem. He took himself off to bed when not using the barthroom.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/04/2014 12:36

Great minds think alike, allisgood!

allisgood1 · 15/04/2014 12:30

She needs to sleep. Next time your MIL is sick go wake her up to "tire her out"

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/04/2014 12:10

Next time your MIL is ill, offer to go round and keep her awake all day, so that she will sleep 'properly' at bedtime!

She is a total loon - surely everyone knows that someone who is ill will need more rest/sleep, in order to recover as fast as possible.

MoominsAreScary · 15/04/2014 11:43

Let her sleep, as long as she's drinking and having wet nappies I wouldn't worry

slightlyconfused85 · 15/04/2014 11:42

I'm glad that many of also think my MIL is being a bit silly. MIL is nice, we get along fine but she has some pretty strong opinions about sleep routine/end of the world if breast feeding doesn't work out/ whether mums should work or not. It is a bit tiresome and I tend to let it go over my head but I think in my slightly worried state I considered taking some notice of her!

DD is asleep again, having woken up and attempted to play for half an hour before getting grizzly and tired. I am enjoying getting some marking done (I'm a teacher) and drinking endless cups of hot tea!

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ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 15/04/2014 11:35

Poor thing, let her sleep! When I'm ill I just want to be in bed. If she wakes up later you could snuggle up on the sofa with a bit of cbebies or a film if she's interested. Rest is good, your MIL is being an idiot.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 15/04/2014 11:17

When either of mine are poorly they just like to sleep it off. Never affects their night time sleep either. They know when they need it and it gets them right again.

unlucky83 · 15/04/2014 11:15

Let her sleep - and if you can have a nap yourself...
If she does perk up she might not be too good at sleeping tonight - so you'd be better off trying to well rested and ready for it..
But she'll soon get back into a routine when well...and as others said being ill usually disrupts routines no matter what you do...
I think sleep is a fantastic healer...
(I have not woken up my DCs at younger primary age for school -if they were a bit under the weather, went to bed on time etc and not woken up naturally I figured they needed the sleep - they did go in when they woke up and only happened once or twice)

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 15/04/2014 11:09

I think it's fine if she's needing her sleep as adults when we are really sick it is common to go to bed for the whole day and just sleep for most of it (well pre children it was)

Purplepoodle · 15/04/2014 11:06

I know my kids are sick as they retreat to bed. Dc1 always has slept any bug away, he will happily stay in bed for 3/4 days with brief breaks for drinks ect even when he was a toddler. If she wasn't in bed she would probably just be lying on you asleep.

minibmw2010 · 15/04/2014 11:05

It's definitely normal to sleep for so long, plus it's good she's taking in fluids and small amounts of food/snacks. Let her sleep, she needs it.

diege · 15/04/2014 10:46

I make Gina Ford look like a baby-led Miriam Stoppard fan and am very strict on nap times. However even I would say let her sleep when ill - her body needs to recover and that comes before any sleep routine. Even the strictest routines iirc (including GF) say forget sleep routines when they are ill/teething etc!

NCISaddict · 15/04/2014 10:36

She's had a drink and she's having wet nappies so sleep is good. I always said my DD would sleep for 23 hours out of 24 when she was recovering from a bug. She's obviously able to be roused as she stirred when you went in. Just wake her every couple of hours for a drink and be prepared for her possibly not sleeping as well tonight as she improves.
Obviously keep an eye on her and if she isn't able to be roused then whisk her off to A&E. If she's still as sleepy tomorrow then get her checked out.

TulipOHare · 15/04/2014 10:24

God, yes, let her sleep. MIL is wrong.

I remember last time I had a vomiting bug, all I could do was sleep in between rushes to the bathroom. Having someone try to keep me awake would've been torture.

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slightlyconfused85 · 15/04/2014 10:20

Thanks again everyone. I thought sleep was best yet it was odd to hear my MIL insist on this awake thing when she's so poorly. Also I don't sleep well when I'm ill I just get restless so I'm suprised - but she is quite a good sleeper in general.

I am a bit worried though - I went in her room at 9.45 to get her washing and she stirred so I got her up and she had two rice cakes and a drink of water. She looked at a book for 5 minutes and then said 'nap nap' so was back asleep by 10am. Is this much sleep really normal? I am trying not to worry but I'm not doing very well.

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SizzlesSit · 15/04/2014 10:13

Sleep definitely. I always sleep when ill and can never understand toddler DS who sleeps even less than usual when ill. Hate him being ill as we're up 24hours with him!

Astonway · 15/04/2014 10:11

Gr8 unanimity here - but you already knew what was best really I think!

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