When tired becomes exhausted...how to get through

[Coolbreezee]

Hi. I'm a single mum with an 8 month old who has had a cold for the past week (she caught it off me). For that last three nights my usually very good sleeper has been up every 20 minutes because she can't breathe through her nose. She is exhausted, I am exhausted. I'm still getting over the cold myself and have no energy in reserve. I've gone from tired to exhausted. Any tips to help DD sleep, her whole routine is messed up, she is Hugh energy, happy and smiling when awake but cant settle for sleep at all. I don't know if I can do another night of no sleep.

You poor thing, it's so difficult when you have nothing left to give. When I've felt similar I basically go into 'survival mode' and just try to expend as little energy as possible during the day. So lazy days on the sofa, minimal housework etc. Easier said than done with energetic little ones sometimes, but you can only give what you have.

I'd also recommend going to bed as early as possible (I went at 8pm last night) and just trying to constantly tell yourself it will get better. I found that easier to do after my first though, when I'd already been through it once and knew that eventually it would.

Huge sympathy, I did all the nights with dd1 and it’s hellish when they have a blocked nose. When you are unwell too (or recently have been) it feels like you just won’t get through it - but you will.

im sure you have tried some of my top tips but here goes…

I did buy a cold-mist humidifier, the dampness helped (for coughs too). Got that up and running in the bedroom all night.

Slightly raise one one of the cot so she isn’t lying flat.

nose-sucking device (ugh, it never really worked for me tbh)

a baby-version if the saline sprays for the nose. I found that better than the nose-sucker

very long bath before bedtime to get sleepy and melt the gunk in her nose

a little bit of Olbas oil in a tissue near the cot

or Co-sleeping could be an option? (look up safe bed sharing). There’s something about being close to mum that helps.

When she couldn’t breathe I used to turn on the shower and let the room get steamy then stand rocking her to sleep in the bathroom. Same for the endless coughing.

Oh and you can try having warming water in a flask by the bed, a little sip will make her feel better in the night?

Last idea - do you have a friend or family member who you could ask to watch the baby so you could get a few hours of daytime sleep.

I wish I knew you, me and teen dd would be right over to your place to help you get a break (and sneak in some cute baby time). Im sure there are lots of people you know who would help - reach out to them.

I just realised I misunderstood your post! Clearly that's the exhaustion 😂

I always found the calpol plug ins good for helping mine breathe. Or a steam diffuser with a few drops of Olbas oil. Good luck!

@AnellaA thank you! Some good tips there. We co-sleep and the big worry is that last night she rolled off the bed. (Completely my fault, I was just too tired, and she is particularly squirmy this week!) She was absolutely fine, cried for a minute. I can't put her in her cot either because I need to lower it - her new party trick is attempting to climb out and I'm in no fit state to be building furniture today. I'm a walking hazard.

She woke up at four am. ready to start the day. Crawling across the room standing up waving her arms about. I read her 6 stories. Tried to get her back to sleep. But whenever she lies down she wakes up from her snotty nose. Will definitely be trying your tips.

I know we will get through but I'm right in the thick of it. I live with my dad but he was drinking last night so couldn't help and will most likely be in bed until this afternoon. He doesn't do childcare and I don't expect him to so it's all on me.