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Original poster

12 month old unwell and won’t sleep

11 replies

Moonshine160 · 12/10/2023 20:01

I thought babies slept more when they were unwell but DS is literally exhausted but can’t stay asleep. He is full of cold and has an awful barking cough. Last night and for his naps today he is waking every few minutes crying. He usually sleeps with a dummy but can’t tolerate it in his mouth. I am also unwell and DH is working away and I got 2 hours of broken sleep last night and it’s looking to be the same tonight despite him hardly napping today. I’m going to take him to the doctors tomorrow to be checked because something in his mouth is clearly hurting him but how on earth do I get any sleep with this going on? It doesn’t matter if he’s in bed with me or in my arms, he’s constantly waking and crying. He usually sleeps in his room in his cot but he screams if I try and put him in there. I’ve tried all the usual stuff- propping up the top of the cot, calpol plug in, snuffle babe, snot sucker, calpol and nurofen, absolutely nothing is helping him to sleep.

OP posts:
AluckyEllie · 12/10/2023 20:04

Oh that sounds really hard, especially if you are ill. I set the sofa up for me to do an all nighter at that age and she slept on my chest. It kept her more upright so seemed to help. For a last resort could you try a drive in the car?

Lammveg · 12/10/2023 20:06

Have you tried having a bath/shower and then just staying in the steamy room for a bit? Then using the snot sucker?

He sounds poorly though, glad you're going Dr's tomorrow. If he won't sleep, try and just rest instead. Get a nice film on, warm drink and snacks for you.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 12/10/2023 22:59

Will he sleep in your bed?

If you he gets worse in the night or his temperature spikes I would definitely ring 111.

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Original poster
Moonshine160 · 13/10/2023 09:25

We had another awful night. We’re at the doctors at 11:30. I have no doubt they will just tell me it’s viral but I’m at my wits end. He’s exhausted but just can’t sleep. I got a couple of broken hours last night holding him in my bed. He wants to be upright. I think either his throat or ears are really hurting him but when I’ve taken him to the doctors in the past even when they’ve seen that his ears are infected they won’t give anything for it because they say it’s not bacterial. I had only just managed to get him to start sleeping in his cot and now I’m worried I’m going to be back to square one once he’s well again :( thanks for all your advice x

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Lijay · 13/10/2023 09:35

Oh that sounds so tough. I hope the doctor's are some help. When my son was ill last time and wouldn't sleep laying down I got him to nap in his pushchair. So it was reclined but not fully flat. I set it up in the living room, rocked him to sleep and then napped on the sofa next to him.
I wouldn't recommend it for overnight sleep for posture reasons etc but it might get him and you a couple of naps today to just survive🤞

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 13/10/2023 20:24

What did the Doctor say @Moonshine160?

Original poster
Moonshine160 · 13/10/2023 20:30

@Lijay thank you, that’s the only way he’s been napping but his naps have been so short, he’s exhausted :(

I took him to the GP today and they’ve prescribed antibiotics. He’s had a temperature for days now. His throat looked clear but she couldn’t tell how his ears were because there was that much wax and he sounded very chesty. I haven’t managed to get him to sleep in his cot again tonight but I hope he starts to improve soon

OP posts:
Lijay · 14/10/2023 06:40

Oh it sounds so tough @Moonshine160 I hope you are holding up ok. Your post makes me want to come and do the night shift for you so you can get some sleep. Sleep deprivation is awful.
Hopefully the antibiotics start working soon and he improves poor little mite.

I'm sure you've already tried this but when he wakes up from a short nap in the pushchair have you tried rocking him back to sleep?

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 09:49

How are you both this morning @Moonshine160? Hope he's feeling a bit better Flowers

Original poster
Moonshine160 · 14/10/2023 10:20

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto his temperature went down a few hours after starting the antibiotics and he seemed brighter in himself but his sleeping and eating is actually worse now. He is exhausted but refusing all naps and waking constantly throughout the night. I thought babies slept more when they’re poorly. I’m anxious that he’ll never sleep in his cot again!

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 15:57

Moonshine160 · 14/10/2023 10:20

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto his temperature went down a few hours after starting the antibiotics and he seemed brighter in himself but his sleeping and eating is actually worse now. He is exhausted but refusing all naps and waking constantly throughout the night. I thought babies slept more when they’re poorly. I’m anxious that he’ll never sleep in his cot again!

Don't worry about his cot for now. Have you got anyone who can come over? If if it's only to make you a meal and cuddle him for 10 mins whilst you have a shower?

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