Share your tips with Nurofen for Children on coping with night times when your child is poorly - £300 voucher prize draw NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

In winter children often seem to get every bug going and this can make night-times especially disruptive and stressful.
The team at Nurofen for Children would love to hear your tips and advice on how to make night times with a poorly child better - for yourself, your child and other family members. So, how do you change your bedtime routine when your child is ill? Are you more relaxed (or strict) about bedtimes? Do you bring up hot drinks, a favourite soft toy or comforting blanket? Maybe you're more likely to allow your kids to come into bed with you when they're not well.

Here's what Nurofen for Children says, "Night time can perpetuate parents’ anxiousness when children are sick. It’s often a time when parents can feel less in control - especially as sleep is often a crucial time for a poorly child - we all know a good night’s sleep usually means a healthier child in the morning. We know parents will often do anything to ensure their child gets the sleep they need".

So please share on this thread your best tips on coping with those endless nights of sniffles, sickness and coughing fits.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks

MNHQ

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• Competition closes at midnight on 1-Dec-16
  
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• One winner will be chosen from all winning entries
  
• Mumsnet will choose the winner at random after the closing date
  
• Mumsnet will contact the winner privately to organise delivery of the prize
  
• The prize is £300 Love2Shop vouchers
  
• Full terms and conditions here
  

Nurofen for Children 3 months to 9 years Orange / Strawberry. (Weighing over 5kg). Nurofen for Children Orange / Strawberry 3 months to 12 years (weighing over 5kg). Contains Ibuprofen. For relief of fever. Always read the label.

[Cambam2010]

I try not to encourage my DS(6) to come into my bed - this is because I know that we will all sleep worse because of it. I tend to sit on the floor beside his bed, quietly talking to him, passing him a bowl, tissue, drink etc. I hold his hand and sing lullaby's to him until he drifts back to sleep.

If I was to take him back to my bed, he would sleep fit-fully, I wouldn't sleep because I worry about him rolling out, my DP wouldn't sleep well and he gets up early and would no doubt disturb us just after we had managed to drop off to sleep! I'd rather have a rough night sitting in with my DS, comforting him in his own space and therefore ensuring that my DP has a good night so that he is rested enough to do the shift the following night if need be.

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks for all the tips.
Elliepurpleflower wins the £300 Love2Shop voucher - well done

[Tonkatol]

When my youngest is poorly, she sleeps in my bed with me and my husband sleeps into her bed. This is so I can keep an eye on her throughout the night but without the three of us squashing into the bed, which will make it more difficult to tell if she has a temperature or not. When she is really poorly and Nurofen doesn't reduce her temperature, I take her into the bathroom and sponge her down with tepid water. My only consolation when she is so poorly is that she is normally very cuddly and sleepy for a couple of days so, if she has me up during the night, I try to nap when she does during the day.

[lucyrobinson]

My son is poorly tonight. I let him sleep in my bed with me so I can keep an eye on him. I normally get everything I might need in one place. Thermometer, drink, tissues, sick bowl, medicine etc. I do phone 111 if I am ever unsure of his health. I swear by my humidifier and olbas oil. Works really well to keep all the airways open.

[PhilTB54]

Mindfulness meditation. Just follow each breath in and out. Letting go of any thoughts that arise.

[pinkspideruk]

When H is poorly we use her old baby monitor to keep an eye on her, she also has a no leak drinking bottle with some squash in it by the side of her bed so she can have a rink in the night and we check on her every couple of hours.

[snare]

I like them to sleep with me when they are ill :)

[clarabella12]

lucozade works wonders, had 3 poorly kids during the week (thankfully now passed it) but that's the only thing that got me through.

[molly57]

Let them share your bed only when they are poorly but be there for them at all times because they do not understand they will get better.

[Cathp808]

I find lavender drops on their pillow helps as well as the window open for fresh air. If it is a bug always leave a glass of water, bowl, and clean towel in the room.

[jamielmdjs]

Keep them close - your bed or a bed in the same room. Cool the room temp and let them stay warm with bed clothes and blankets. Less likely to overheat.

[sarahw2]

We have found that a diffuser with menthol vapers is an absolute godsend. That, and a trusty cool flannel.

[Portabella24]

Definitely agree with the posters who have said that they let sick little ones sleep in their bed. Much easier to keep an eye on them and monitor temperature etc. Keep a night light on so you don't have to wake them up.

[VickyRsuperstar]

I've got 9 children and all of them have been ill recently. If its a vomiting bug, we tend to look after the sick child on the sofa with a bucket handy (the sofa is leather and flooring is laminate so very forgiving for accidents) I keep them wrapped up and comfy while I sleep on the other sofa to keep watch over them. I have diarolyte made up for them to sip slowly to replace lost fluids from being sick repeatedly. If it's a fever, bad cold and flu with aches and pains, some infant paracetamol and Nurofen combined make a good combination to keep their temperature down. Sore throats we use cold drinks, ice pops and ice-cream to help and if old enough Tyrozets which helps numb the pain. It depends where the child feels most comfortable to be when ill, some want their own bed, some want to snuggle next to me in my bed and others stay on the sofa wrapped up and I can sleep on the other sofa near them to check they are OK. Daytime illness is usually spent on the sofa sleeping or watching TV so I can keep an eye while doing the housework. I've had a lot of missed nights sleep recently and had to take the odd 20 min daytime nap to catch up! Each child is different so I've had to do different things to cheer up different children when they have been poorly - so long as you are there for them, it cheers up a very miserable time for them.

[zombeana]

It's so hard. Ensure there is medicine neurofen and calpol nearby, prop them up on a pillow. My daughter 20 m has terrible asthma so gets very poorly very quickly so when she is ill, she sleeps with me so I can keep an eye on her breathing. We have the inhaler nearby. Sometimes a humidifier helps, sometimes opening the window - depends on the type of cough/illness.
Main thing is - expect little to no sleep!

[grannybiker]

Don't be tempted to have them in bed with you if it's D&V, otherwise that's always been my best solution

[Babanew]

I just try comfort and bring into bed with me!

[emzlovesyou]

Always have enough of everything! Stock up on Tissues, wipes, blankets and towels ( incase of a tummy bug!) And medicine! I always prop my little ones up with another blanket or pillow to keep their heads up!
And having a flow of water bottles is good!

[Bechoole]

Try and take turns with hubby and as much comforting as possible!

[jazzitup]

Sorry, no story just would love to win, so thanks for the chance and Merry Christmas to all x

[Dessallara]

Lots of cuddles. Warm drink and medicine before bed and make bed as cosy as I can :)

[piggypoo]

We make sure bedroom is nice and warm, with the little night light, we have everything to hand, fresh water to drink, medication and a favourite teddy! I read a favourite story about the poorly teddy which is her favourite, and am on hand in case of waking up for cuddles! Keeping quiet and low-key really helps to cut stress too! :)

[zebedee01]

My tip would be to get to bed when you put your child to bed and sleep when they sleep!

[123julie321]

Honey and lemon tea is lovely and soothing, and helps DD get to sleep when she's poorly

[HelenSw4les]

We both work full time so me and my partner take it in turns to sleep in her bed whilst she sleeps in our bed with either mummy or daddy. It allows one parent to get a fairly undisturbed night's sleep and the other parent is close at hand to tend to the child during the night. It works well for our family.