Feeling like a shit mum...

[HelenLG]

Me and DH have both been ill for the last couple of days and I was hoping DS had escaped but I don't think he has.

Today he's been all sniffly and coughing. Keeps crying and is generally unsettled. I can't get him to nap or feed properly either.

I gave him some calpol earlier and have been offering boob every hours or so (often get hit or screamed at).

Had to just make him sit down and be calm, the screaming makes his throat so horse, so I put playhouse disney on and let him sit with me and watch it for half an hour. Touch wood, it got him to calm down and he's now asleep.

Just feel shit. I had about 3 hours sleep last night and the room keeps spinning, just feel like I should be able to cope with this better. I've been in tears most of the morning...

I can't see anything in your post that suggests you are a shit mum You've been poorly, (and probably still feeling fairly wiped out), now DS is poorly - you have made him comfortable, cuddled him up and now he's asleep. Well done

He will struggle with feeding if his nose is blocked, will he have a drink of water? (even if you can spoon it in to him, so its easier for him to breathe). Of course if you think he needs a bit more help take him to GP (or ask for a phone call, and they can give advice)

If tears help, have a bit a of a cry - often makes you feel better, and everyone gets a bit tearful when they are under the weather and very tired. Try to rest as much as you can while your DS is sleeping, make sure you have plenty of fluid, and try to eat even if it's only a little and often. Hope you feel better soon.

Hope you feel better soon

You're just sick - you're doing the best you can for him and that's just fine.

If you can manage it, you can put breastmilk up his nose to help clear it out. He'll do a big snotty sneeze all over your boob probably, and the thing about motherhood is you'll be pleased

nothing you have written implies you are shit. it's not your fault he's ill, it's not your fault you are ill. you've comforted him, you've entertained him and you've only got his best interests at heart. what more could anyone expect from you?

you're doing fine, in fact you're doing great.

when they're ill all bets are off, tv is allowed, anything is allowed to get you/them through it. and never, ever underestimate the power of calpol.

stay strong, only 6 months till summer...

You don't sound like a shit mum at all, you sound ill and are simply muddling through the best you can. TV is perfect and maybe you can dose when he does. Be sure to have appropriate drugs yourself and to eat lunch. Keep a little note of when you give your DS Calpol so you don't forget (and your DH can take over when he's home).

We found a snot sucker to be great (got it from Boots). It has a mesh so you don't stand any chance of eating your DCs snot but it does get it out. Our GP said that our DDs coughing was probably snot at the back of her throat.

We also have a Calpol plug-in. Tres expensive to operate as the refills are about a £1 each but it sorts out DDs stuffiness and helps her breath/sleep.

Good luck, hopefully in a day or two you'll all be feeling better.

Eeekk... should have been doze not dose!!