Do babies nap for longer when they're sick?

[user242526]

Hello,

My daughter (9M) who recently started nursery is currently unwell with Bronchiolitis. She went off her food and milk which resulted in me taking her to A&E and that's where we were told that she has Bronchiolitis.

She's slowly (quite slowly) recovering and although her appetite is slowly going back to normal - I've noticed that when I put her down for a nap she wants to sleep for longer. Is this normal?

She's not lethargic and when she's awake she is responsive and can stay awake, however - her wake windows are shorter and she seems to want longer naps...

I know when I'm unwell (pre baby) I'd sleep more than usual and rest my body, I'd like to think it's the same for her but I'm just confused as to if it's normal for babies?

Thanks

Absolutely - her body is busy, so she needs to rest. I hope she’s feeling brighter soon!

Yes very normal indeed

Definitely. It carries on when they're older as well. My 3yo old was a little bit snotty yesterday and is usually up between 6-6.30am but had a lie in today until past 7.30am so I know a big cold is coming on!

Yes, as you've said if you were sick you'd sleep longer; exactly the same for her.

Good news that she sounds like she's more herself now when she's awake, sounds like she's on the mend!

Bronchiolitis is horrible, poor little thing. She probably will sleep a lot more for the forseeable, to help her get better.

Yes, sleep more but sometimes much more disrupted, eg if they are all stuffed up, or in pain, or windy etc

Thank you everyone. I have a bit of anxiety when it comes to her health and can worry too much - I'm trying to work on it...

I kept waking her up from her naps at the usual time she'd naturally wake up (previously) but I think I'll just let her rest and recover.

@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight Bronchiolitis is definitely awful. She's got a terrible cough too. I feel so helpless when she puts so much strain on herself to cough 😞 it even made me reconsider my choice of sending her to nursery as I started to wonder if it's worth it if it'll just make her unwell all the time... However, I suppose it'll build up her immunity over time

@Yuckyyuckyuckity thank you ... when she's 3 and in the same position and I start worrying - I'll try and remember your response and calm myself down 😂

Yup, very normal. We call it "just the right amount of sick" when you finally get a bit of rest after a long few days.

@BarbaraHoward 😂 that's a good way to look at it. It's exhausting looking after a sick baby - I always say when she naps I'll nap but I feel guilty and put it off - catches up with you though as I feel exhausted an hour after her bedtime

Can I also ask is her not playing with her toys as much normal?

What else can I do with her that is less tiring for her?

I thought you said she was 9 months? Surely she barely does anything as it is!

@TinySaltLick she spends a lot of time on the floor playing with her toys/crawling etc as 9 month olds do.

She's not as interested though because she's not well

Let her sleep as long as she needs to. She's recovering. I'd just keep her quiet when she's awake if she's not up to playing. Lots of cuddles, read her stories and chat to her.

Oh gosh, rest! Let her rest, sleep, cuddles. Watch TV? Being ill isn’t a normal time. Follow her cues.

Yes that’s as normal. If you sleep more and don’t feel up to usual activities you enjoy when unwell (play games/read/exercise/park), it’s the same for her. Gently, you are overthinking this. All adults want when unwell is to take it easy, that’s all they can manage. Same for her.

Yeah just chill, she'll probably want lots of cuddles. It's quite mild here so if it's the same there I'd get out for a walk with the buggy, clear your own head and she might like the change of scene. Not if it's cold though.

Babies are people, we sleep and rest more when we are sick, so of course babies do as well. I hope she’s much better soon.

Yes very normal - lots of sleep and rest is important. One of mine had bronchiolitis at 9 months and it was so horrid- you have my sympathy. The ward we were on was full of babies with it- it made me so sad. She also got a secondary lung infection so was on antibiotics but she didn’t tolerate them well and was sick for 10 days straight. My chunky baby got so skinny and I don’t think I slept much at all during the night for at least 3 weeks. I imagine your baby isn’t sleeping that well at night so longer naps will be catching up.

aw bless her.

A bit of fresh air being pushed in the buggy is a good call.

Cuddles on the sofa, let her sleep as much as she needs.

It's so scary seeing little ones proper poorly, big hug for you, mama, you've been through the mangle a bit.

Definitely normal. I used to quite enjoy the sleepy cuddles when my daughter was a baby and a little under the weather. The day before the spots broke out and she got diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth, she pretty much slept all day. I was a bit worried about it that day but she was breathing evenly, waking for milk etc. Just needed lots of sleep. By the time the spots came out she was much better in herself.

My friend's 7 year old was asleep by 6pm the other night after a day of a high temperature and headache. Slept through the night and woke up feeling better. Sleep is a great healer.

Thank you to everyone on this post who provided reassurance and helpful suggestions.

I know I need to work on my anxiety however I had pregnancy complications as well as a baby who has CMPA and it's made me a little too anxious in regards to her.

I also have a lot of mum guilt in regards to not always being able to do something 'fun' with her. Again, I'm trying to work on this.

I'm going to take her out for a walk as the weather is decent-ish and by the time we get back it will probably be time for her next nap by the time we get back.

@Bunnycat101 thank you for understanding. You're right - it's awful. My baby was on the chunkier side too and her babygrow seems loose on her now ☹️ it's an awful feeling. I know being unwell is a part of life and there's much worse to come in terms of viruses etc but when you're in the thick of it it's still so scary and heartbreaking watching a baby struggle so much.

The staff at the hospital asked us when we went to A&E (111 told us to take her) if we'd prefer to stay in hospital so they can keep an eye on her or if we'd rather care for her at home - I chose the chose option due to the risk of infections in hospital on top of what she already has. However if she needed professional intervention then I'd obviously choose for us to stay at the hospital.

My eldest only EVER napped when he was sick. It was often the first sign that he wasn't well. The rest of the time, nothing would make him nap. Sadly, at 16yo, he spends most of his daylight hours napping. He could possibly be Dracula.

Hiya OP.

How is little one getting on now?

Hi @PollyDactyl thank you for asking. She's better in terms of appetite but she's still quite congested and mucusy. She's also still got quite a runny nose. Think it just needs to run its course. Didn't have a great night last night, but at least she's eating and drinking more now 😌