Toddler sleeping excessively after virus/illness

[J19852019]

I’m at my wits end and just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this? Not after medical advice just to see if anyone has a shared experience

My 20 month old became poorly on Friday nothing that concerned me just off her food, general fussiness. Saturday she had a high temp and was very lethargic and just not herself, we managed at home with calpol, Sunday still no change so I went to the out of hours GP and was prescribed penicillin. Monday morning there was no change and I was concerned about her lack of engagement, she has literally not got off the sofa for 2 days now, not walked anywhere and just wanting to sleep, her sleep was disturbed she would wake up cry but then go back to sleep. I rang 111 and was told to get to A&E long story cut short but they were concerned about meningitis and sepsis but was later to rule that out. We had a long gruelling day but again she slept for most of it we returned home at 4am from being there at 9:30. Come Tuesday she went straight to sleep when we got home at 4am and pretty much slept peacefully until 12:30 where I woke her thinking she needed liquids at this point we panicked she was limp not wanting to lift her head up and just wanting to go back to sleep, we had her straight in A&E and then we did see the best doctors who really took us seriously, all her obs are fine any sign of infection has decreased, temp is fine bloods everything looks good but she is still just sleeping! And when I say sleeping I mean like 20-22 hours a day.

Normally she is a typical toddler causing chaos, she’s bright, happy and just the most beautiful soul but I’ve not seen this since Friday as she just wants to sleep when she is awake she’s started to eat, the doctor said give her sugary things so I have been doing and she’s eating, telling me what she wants but it lasts about 10 mins then she goes back to sleep. She's a bit grumpy and not her usual self. Medically she is fine now so the doctor has said some children just sleep off their illnesses, I’m just worrying as she is clearly getting better I would have thought to have seen more of her by now?

Does anyone have any children that would literally sleep for days after an illness?

Ds used to do this, especially after tonsillitis.
He'd hardly move for about 18-20 hours, and then he'd suddenly be much better. I remember when he was about 6 or 7yo having to get the buggy back out to get him to the doctors as he couldn't even walk from the car to the doctor.
I'd syringe liquids into him to keep him hydrated, and when he started to feel better then a straw.

BUT, he did this enough that it was usual. It is scary and I'd advise you to get him checked out just in case there is more to it, especially if he hasn't done it before.

I used to find full fat coke was a good thing to give him, even at a young age.
It was a treat, so he wanted to drink it, it helped keeping him a bit more awake with the caffeine and the sugar gave a little bit of energy.

Is she eating and drinking normally?

Suggest giving her sugar. It helps with DS -a diet of ice lollies and party rings tend to keep him awake when he gets like this

Yeah she is eating and drinking and I would say alert enough to know who we are, where she is and to tell us what she wants/doesn't want but this has been nearly 3 days now of her literally just sleeping. She's also struggling to walk she is very off balance but I figured that maybe down to an ear infection. I've done the same with a syringe but I've been giving her apple juice I might try coke see if that helps. We have been in and out of the hospital though and they've done every test going only thing they can detect is a throat and ear infection. I'm just so sad I proper miss my baby girl laughing and smiling and just being a little menace!

Hi hun. Just an update how is your little onedoing? I hope she is background her usual self.