How to cope when you and your baby are ill

[sleepdeprivedma]

Just that really my and my 8 month old has caught a nasty cold and I'm miserable as well as him coughing nose blocked and runny at the same time normally I'd just curl up and wait for it to pass but being a mum now I can't I solo parent all week as my partner works away.
Help please also he's not sleeping as he feels shitty which I know is understandable. Im feeling so unwell myself currently sitting in my bed alone in tears as I can't do anything else right now I've just gave him some calpol hoping that will help.

Not a great answer, but you juts do because you have to. If you have family support. Use it. Otherwise accept that as long as you are both fed and safe, that's the standard to aim to.

What SD said.

Plus loser your standards - don’t worry about anything that isn’t looking after the two of you, and use as mi h Cbeebies as you want.

Just survived a vomiting bug with an 18 month old to look after. It was grim, spent the whole time praying for his bedtime. Peppa pig and unlimited snacks for the baby helped but i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

It's absolutely awful I haven't slept a wink 😭 feeel like I've been hit by a bus

Survival mode. Just do whatever bare minimum you need to do for the pair of you to get through the day. With an 8mo at least you can keep your own favourite comfort TV on, rather than cbeebies!

Ps don't forget to take some paracetamol yourself (use the calpol if you don't have any adult meds in the house)

Yes, bare minimum survival mode. Lie on the bed watching tv, have a bath together if you fancy it, usually clears noses. Order in food, wait for it to pass.

it is so hard, sympathy. I remember crying in the bathroom after a succession of coughs and colds just utterly exhausted. My dh looks back on those early years with such fondness but for me it was just horrible a lot of the time (I have a suppressed immune system)

agree with having a bath together it can help a lot with entertainment and feeling mildly better.

make up a flask with some hot soup or hot tea in if you aren’t well enough to eat, set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget who is due paracetamol at what time

Calpol for baby. Get a vapour plug in as well to help with the air and blocked nose and saline spray to help clear their nose as well.

TV, snacks, whatever is easy. Now is not the time to be doing anything that involves great brain power or interaction. They will be fine for a few days of low key activity. Throw routines out the window and just go with it.

Make sure you take regular paracetamol and ibuprofen. Drink hot drinks to help clear your sinuses.

Hope you feel better soon!

Like others have said it's all just about surviving at this point. Lazy days on the sofa with a blanket, CBBC, kids TV to occupy little one you rest and recover as much as you can.
In the day could you both not nap in your bed so can get some rest too?
Lots of fluids, keep up with pain relief alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol.

I hope you survived the day, that you both get some sleep tonight, and that everything's a bit easier tomorrow x

Put Ms Rachel on YouTube (best if you can get it in the TV). She absolutely mesmerises babies and toddlers. It's magic. Throw all screen time concerns out of the window and just survive. Give baby snacks. Harder with an 8mo I guess because they can't be cheered up with biscuits!

But yeah, it fully sucks and you literally just have to drag yourself through it an hour at a time.

Do you have a car? I’d take my baby out for a drive as it was easier to fall asleep upright in the cat seat. Then go for a drive through coffee or return to the driveway and have a bit of chill out time in the car or if possible bring tje seat in and let baby sleep in it in the hallway for a bit.

*car seat not cat seat lol

I'd get all you can together into bed, picnic of food, drink and snacks for both of you, stickers, ipad, tissues, meds etc. And hunker down.

Set the bed up for safe co-sleeping and lower your standards.

Keep dosed up and good luck! If you do have any friends or family tap them up for food/taking the baby etc.

I discovered Tesco whoosh service which will deliver from your corner shop in 30 mins for £3 delivery fee when we had COVID. Is there anything you think LO would like that you can order online?

This is a great idea. I actually did this once when I just couldn't parent anymore. I'd decided to take her out to a cafe, I was hoping she might nap in the car but I kind of knew she wouldn't, and I just drove on this huge detour because she was quiet and content and I could just have a bit of peace!

So as long as baby doesn't hate the car seat, this is a great way to just pass an hour or so.

I am currently pregnant and am on my fourth illness since early September....I'm going to be completely honest. I don't cope well. At all.

I cried bitter tears when I realised I was getting ill with my current chest infection

Things that help me...

Medicine - ALWAYS prestocked. We have about 4 calpols and always have cold and flu tablets and lemsip so it's on hand. I stay on top of it and make sure we are taking it at regular intervals.

Food - I buy in cereal and ready meals lots of juices and fruits as soon as I feel illness descend. We also have online shopping smartpass.

Day time
-miss rachel is amazing to burn 30 mins
-pingu gets me a solid 10 to15 mins
-I also keep new / fun toys or activities in a cupboard for emergencies. Something gets whipped out each day.
-crayola magic pens let DD scribble madly and not draw all over my houee

Nightimes - This is what I save family help for.
I am insanely lucky in that I can call in my DM and she will help with my DD at night for a night or two and my DH does all the nights at weekends.

I also take time off sick from work now. I am old, pregnant and there is no powering through...