What's happened to my happy settled little boy?

[fluffyanimal]

I'm worrying about my 21 month ds. A couple of weeks ago he had chicken pox and was off nursery for about a week and a half. He went back last Monday and just hasn't settled back into it. He is very upset at drop off - not just grizzling but really wailing, and this starts as we pull into the car park. He's also not sleeping well. He used to always sleep through (unless he was poorly) but since he had unsettled nights with the chicken pox, he seems to have lost the ability to settle himself, and the only thing that will get him back to sleep is to take him in bed with us with a bottle of milk. Before, if he everv woke up, I could usually settle him with a quick cuddle in his room and a drink of water.

He's had periods away from nursery before and he took a bit of time to settle back into it, but he was never this upset, and not with poor sleep too.

I'm sure he's quite well, the only health thing I think might be involved is that his last molars might be about to appear, but other than that this is so unlike him. Also, as far as I know there have been no changes in staff or routine at the nursery.

Any advice or words of reassurance much appreciated, because it's breaking my heart to see him so upset.

My DD was also very unsettled for a few weeks after chicken pox, and she was 3 at the time. i think it knocks their confidence a bit as they really do suffer with it... and i think they are physically quite wiped out for a while afterwards as well. Just keep giving him what he needs, which is reassurance, plenty of rest and cuddles. He'll soon bounce back

Thanks Bodkin. I do hope so. Interesting to hear about your dd. My ds didn't seem to be that ill with the pox, but maybe it affected him more than I thought.

It's also bothering me that he's just got this week and three days next week before we go away for Christmas, so if he's only just got settled, there's more upheaval and I'll have to go through it all again in January.

The holiday break may be good for him, just what he needs tho, you know, time with you and daddy.
Just weather the storm over the next week and a half, Then look seriously at the issue (if it is still an issue) in January when you get back to normal routine.
he could still be feeling poorly and out of sorts post virally, it is common not just with children but adults too.
You do feel rotten for a while.
cuddles and gentle reassurance.
What about nursery staff, do they say that he settles quickly when you have gone?

Thanks Deeny. Actually, that's partly why it's worrying me because the nursery staff say that he can sometimes take over an hour to settle. He always seems happy when I come to pick him up, however, and he's eating normally and has a good nap there, so I'm clinging to that because I know he's always been really happy there and the staff are lovely.