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

257 replies

AnnMumsnet · 17/11/2016 13:52

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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  • 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.
Share your tips with Nurofen for Children on coping with night times when your child is poorly - £300 voucher prize draw NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
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PorridgeAgainAbney · 18/11/2016 11:11

Having a bath just makes my son unhappy when he's ill, like it's a bit too stimulating. So it's just a couple of episodes of his favourite programme, an early bedtime, olbas oil in a flask of boiling water in the room to keep his airways clear and making sure clean sheets, towels, pj's, nappies and medicines are to hand just in case.

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sharond101 · 18/11/2016 12:40

Bed sharing and waterproof bed protectors.

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ButterflyOfFreedom · 18/11/2016 13:02

Just as others have said, I'd get them in bed with me - it's just easier and everyone sleeps better / longer!

They do get lots more cuddles when they're poorly and lots of snuggling under the warm duvet.
Any medication is on hand as well as snacks & water (for all!).

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CheeseAtFourpence · 18/11/2016 13:41

I probably sleep lighter when she's poorly - thankfully not often! This time of year always produces a night time cough so we do warm bath before bed and I tend to make sure she's got pillows under her to raise her head which helps.

If she's going to need medicine then only one of us will get up so we know what she's been given and when.

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ThunderboltKid · 18/11/2016 15:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at poster's request

FlukeSkyeRunner · 18/11/2016 16:20

Have everything you may need to hand - ibuprofen, olbas oil (the best thing in the world for blocked noses), sick bowl etc. Expect a bad night then it doesn't seem quite so bad if it works out that way. Lots of cuddles always help.

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puglife · 18/11/2016 18:41

All routine goes out of the window and I give my DD what she wants/needs. She's 7 months old and we've already had a couple of periods of illness.
Co-sleeping helps. I keep all the medicines upstairs with me so I can give her some if needed through the night.
I let her feed when she ask.
It's a rough time and we both get little sleep but it's usually short lived.

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mumsbe · 18/11/2016 19:05

If our children are ill they sleep in bed with me I put vick on their chest just like my nana did with me, also Calpot and Nurofen for kids to keep temperatures and pain at bay. Keep a bottle of water next to the bed and a sick bucket. We also have fresh bedding set up ready to change the beds if there are any acidents becaus my daughter used to be sick in the middle of the bed at around 2am.We also have pjs and towels set u So the more organised you are to deal with things in the night the more sleep everyone will get.

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Mcstriving4leanie · 18/11/2016 19:10

Depends on the illness. With sickness I keep ice lollies in the freezer. They are great for keeping up hydration, help reduce temperature, soothe a sore throat and don't make them feel more sick,

With coughs and colds I make sure that they have plenty of pillows in their beds to keep them propped up.
Also make sure they have plenty to drink as this seems to make them feel a bit better.

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kierie · 18/11/2016 19:31

Line up everything you've missed on the telly on your tablet, that way you can pull the sofas together and snuggle up under a duvet. They can sleep, while you can keep an eye on them, be there for feeds and still keep yourself amused

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blitzgirl · 18/11/2016 19:49

Just taught dd nearly 4 to be sick in the toilet or a bucket so if she is ill, there is a bucket, some tissues and a bottle of water to hand. I also make sure that there is plenty of spare bedding available under her bed and the thermometer is out ready.

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Mindfulofmuddle · 18/11/2016 19:51

If they have a bit of a cold, but are generally ok, then I do a warm bath in a steamy bathroom (let the shower run hot for a while in there) to help soothe dry throats and chests.
I also put a bowl of hot water (out of reach) in their bedroom with some drops of Olbas Oil in to diffuse and help with congestion.
If they have a fever or sickness or they feel really unwell, then I give whatever medication is needed and I sleep with them. It will inevitably be a terrible night's sleep, but there is no substitute for Mum (or Dad's) reassurance when they walk up feeling poorly.

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Summerdays2014 · 18/11/2016 19:57

Lots of cuddles in bed with me. Baby then falls asleep and I stay up all night making site he is still ok. Also make sure you have plenty of medicine so you don't run out over night!

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Andbabymakesthree · 18/11/2016 21:36

The family super king is always available to our children.

When ill i make sure medicine is close to hand along with thermometer and bottle of water.

Getting up mainly falls to me though if bedtime cuddles dont work then DP has the nerve to say he's tired.......


If its a puke attack though we are both up and dealing with it.

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FeelingSmurfy · 19/11/2016 09:15

Vapour rub on feet, socks on, helps calm the coughing a bit

Sleep in the bedroom with them (take turns alternate nights) you actually get more sleep!

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sepsisandAKI · 19/11/2016 10:03

Have a poorly boy at the moment. Lots of cuddles, fluids when able. He is sleeping a lot which is important and I get some rest too! He's had febrile convulsions in the past so need to keep him cool. I find paracetamol and ibrufen alternatively work well.

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Spirael · 19/11/2016 10:28

Caffeine, lots of caffeine. For the parent.

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IncaAztec · 19/11/2016 11:14

Child in bed with me or DH. Nurofen for Children on standby (orange syringe washed!). Thermometer also at the ready!

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TheFlounder · 19/11/2016 13:34

I agree with everyone else, he's goes in bed with me so I can keep an eye on him.

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Belmo · 19/11/2016 14:28

I often end up in dd's bed with her when she's not well - we both sleep better.
Snufflebabe and extra pillows for a cold.

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SaladDressing · 19/11/2016 17:06

Accept that it's likely to be a rough night and do whatever it takes to make it easier. I usually move into DC's room with a duvet, pillows etc. so that I can be close but they stay in their own bed. Tissues, olbas oil, nurofen/calpol on hand. I often find that propping the bed up (or using pillows) helps.

Audio books or gentle music can be relaxing to listen to if DC is struggling to sleep. A hot water bottle can also be comforting.

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TheDuchessOfKidderminster · 19/11/2016 17:13

If my child is really poorly I also find it a lot easier to have them in bed with me to provide comfort, help me get more rest and so that I can keep an eye on them. Essentials are: thermometer, baby ibuprofen/paracetamol and access to my mobile phone so that I can refer to the NHS Choices website, which I find to be generally pretty helpful. I've also found the 111 service very useful when I've been particularly worried about either of my DSs.

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Strawclutching · 19/11/2016 17:40

I set up bed in their room so they have the comfort of me and the security of their own rooms. I also layer their beds with towels so if they are sick you can pull the layers back one towel at a time.

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froggers1 · 19/11/2016 17:50

I bring them in bed with me usually. Even though they are 7 and 4. With a bad cough I rub Vicks on their feet and put their socks on. A bucket by the bed if it's sickness and if a temperature I give Nurofen as my children are allergic to the pink ingredient in Calpol...

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AlwaysLookOnBrightsideOfLife · 19/11/2016 18:51

During the day, small quilt on the sofa with a pillow. Cuddles and tv before bed along with a warm drink. If they don't want to go to bed, then cuddles on the sofa until they fall asleep before carrying them to a pre-warmed bed.

During the night if they have a temperature, outside of medicine, a cold damp flannel on the forehead helps.

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