Post illness going to sleep toddler issues! What do I do next?

[dycey]

So 20 month ds has had a second bout of nasty hand, foot mouth virus which gives awful Tongue ulcers.

(First time he got it, it stopped him sucking his hand for comfort - cue going to sleep problems which eventually I cracked with comforting relaxing slowish bottle and cozily into bed - did involve some crying and checking on for one night but thereafter sorted).

Annoyingly this second time it has taught him not to put the teat in his mouth properly - he sucks between his teeth like a straw. It takes ages and does not relax him so if he starts to fall asleep and I move him he snaps awake and demands more milk or rocking. He won't go into his bed awake but screams to be held / rocked.

So basically the bottle isn't doing the relaxing trick any more damn it! The virus was about 3 weeks ago so maybe maybe it still hurts? Or maybe it's habit?

Do I hang in there for a return to good old ways?

Or do I chuck the bottles and change the bed routine and toughen myself up? I can't bear him being unhappy.

Any advice v much appreciated.

Thank you

Would really really be so grateful for any ideas! Thank you!

PLEASE! Can anyone help?

Does he still have a sore mouth? Maybe that is why he isn't sucking properly?

If he is still unwell, perhaps it is too soon to expect a return to normal?

Sorry - not much help, but lots of sympathy.

Thank you so much for your reply 3 littlefrogs. He's not I'll but I can't be sure if his mouth feels better again. It's so frustrating. Wish he could tell me.

Really strange to lose that baby sucking thing, don't you think?

Think I may have to steel myself and go back to putting down awake after a stories abd a speedy bottle / cup of milk. But he will protest.

I didn't realise that it didn't become straightforward yet!

Hi Dycey - just wanted to say that me, DH and DS have all had hand, foot and mouth over the last month or so (one at a time, not lasting for a month!) and for both me and DH, the mouth ulcers were painful for no more than a full week. Not sure about DS as he can't talk (17 months) but he seemed ok the week after. Hope that is helpful - I find any variation from the routine, ie illness, or holiday etc, can be totally disruptive; mine has just had a very heavy cold and painful constipation and he's gone from LOVING his cot to screaming as I lower him down into it and clinging on like a koala! A few days of plonking him down, saying I love you and shutting the door has got him back on track, well nearly anyway; I just put him down for post-lunch nap and he cried for 20 seconds before conking out. (Wish I could go to sleep that quickly!)

thanks lozario - yes I think you right on both counts - both the ulcers have gone and disruption messes up sleep.

Strange that he won't let the teat past his teeth tho. Habit?

TOnight I seem to have found a middle ground and patted him in his cot for less than 3 minutes and asleep he was.

Think I will just go with that for a while because he's going to be ill again in the next few months - we can be sure of that! I hate the crying. Pathetic of me but he is SO good all day long and so responsive that ignoring his protests feels wrong.... but I may live to regret it!

If he's in his cot, I don't think that's bad pr pathetic at all - my mum patted us all to sleep like that until we were about 2! You'll know if it's becoming a problem if it starts to take a lot longer (3 mins is nothing really is it) or he starts to want to be picked up out of the cot etc - if you're both happy with a couple of minutes of patting then there's no problem :-)

Thanks lozario, very reassuring message. Unless he starts night waking again or such then will stick with it. I appreciate your replies. It's a bit of an unusual problem this losing comfort habits!

I live in fear that my DS will forget how to suck his thumb!!