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Whether to wake sleeping toddler when ill

3 replies

teaandkittehs · 19/12/2024 08:51

Hi all,
Our little girl (about to turn 2) has been ill on and off for a couple of weeks, several illnesses in a row. We took her to a & e on Sunday night as her eyes had swollen up so much she couldn't open them. The doctors think it was a reaction to a virus. She's had a stomach bug this week too with diarrhea. She's eating bits and pieces and getting plenty of fluids. But she's sleeping up to 14 hours at night (usually sleeps 10 - 10.5) and we've just been letting her sleep. Yesterday she didn't wake until 9.45am. My husband thought it would be best to push through and not give her a nap as it would be hard to fit one in, so we would put her to bed earlier instead, but as a result she was awake 9 solid hours instead of her usual 5.5 - 6 either side of her nap. I wasn't sure it was the right approach but I agree it would be hard to fit a nap in without her being up late in the evening. So, she was asleep by 7 last night (usual bedtime is 7.30) Well, today, it is 8.45am and she's still asleep, so I am concerned the same thing will happen again - yesterday she was hysterical at 5.45pm which is right as we were about to have dinner, so she couldn't eat. I think she was far too tired. I'm not sure what to do today - I presume it's best to let her keep sleeping now, but what if it's hard to fit a nap in again? Do i try to get her to nap but wake her if it's running way too late for a decent bedtime? Or push her through again to have no nap, and give her dinner earlier this time (she may not eat anyway, it's hit and miss since she got ill). It won't be good for her to be awake until 10pm if we include a nap, but I don't feel a 9 hour wake window with no nap is good for her either! So, do I give her a nap and cap the length of it to make sure she can go to bed at a decent time night? Any advice?

OP posts:
Santaclawws · 19/12/2024 08:53

When they're poorly I think it's best to just go with the flow tbh, if it means a long nap and later bedtime whilst they're recovering then that's how the cookie crumbles. If you have any concerns that the sleep is excessive and beyond needing it to get better (ie caused in this case by lethargy, lack of fluids etc) then get checked out again.

Gardendiary · 19/12/2024 08:55

Agree, go with the flow. The poor little thing needs the rest to recover.

teaandkittehs · 19/12/2024 11:45

She woke at 9 so I'll needs her a slightly later nap and just go with it if bedtime is a bit later. Don't want to force her to skip a nap like she did yesterday, I'm not sure it was the best choice!

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