Screen time when LO is unwell?

[Oatmilktea]

My LO is 17 months old and is quite a rubbish sleeper. He’s quite sensitive to screen time and I feel like if he has more than 20 mins a day it can impact his sleep. We try to limit his screen time as much as possible.

He’s woken up today with a fever and is just wanting to cuddle in. He isn’t playing with any of his toys. He’s most settled when his show is on (puffin rock).

I feel so guilty as he’s already had at least an hour of tv and it’s only 9am!

I used to think like that but imagine what you would want to do if you had flu.

All rules go out of the window when they’re ill!

Don't worry about it. Sitting on the sofa wrapped in your duvet when you're ill is the only good thing about a sick day.

His sleep will probably be affected by the illness anyway so I doubt the Tv will make much difference, at least it’ll keep him occupied and settled in one place so he can rest his body.
When DD had fevers over the years from tonsillitis I find she’ll just dose in and out of sleep on the sofa whilst watching the tele which is unlike her on any normal day.

It’s important to keep them hydrated too, even if it means ice lollies, jelly etc. Honestly all rules go out the window when they’re poorly!

Hope he feels better soon ❤️

It’s great that you are so aware of the impact of screen time on your little one, but as others as said, all rules go out the window when they are poorly. Think how you feel and what you want when you’re ill. Don’t feel guilty - you sound like an amazing mum. I hope he feels better soon!

I’d just choose low impact shows like the old ones - little bear, bear in the big blue house, old Disney classics which aren’t too stimulating. I used to be quite fussy about screen time until I realised he actually loves it. Just turn it off occasionally and look at some books if he’s up to it but when they’re ill do whatever you need to do!

Thanks everyone that’s made me feel loads better about it! He’s eating and drinking which is good. This is the first time he’s been unwell in at least 6
months, it’s awful to see 😥

Me, DS4 and DD6months have flu - and I don’t mean a cold I mean flu. Most ill my son has been. We’re on day 6 of fever and cough. It’s utterly shit as have no family support/childcare within 3 hour drive of us. Currently on sofa watching Ms Rachel . Have watched TV all week. Can’t be arsed to care about screentime right now!

Yep. It is all about survival and getting him to slow down, stop and rest.

After getting three children through the pandemic with all of us getting Covid, endless other viruses, wfh with schools closed and doing whatever it takes, my view is that you just do what gets you through the day. It’s a one off and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter at all.