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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• The prize is £300 Love2Shop vouchers
  
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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.

[lhlee62]

I take it in turns with my husband to get up, we make sure she's getting the appropriate doses of meds and just do everything in our power to make her comfortable and hopefully get better quicker.

[southernsun]

One of us sleeps on the sofa while the other sleeps in bed with them to keep an eye on them and comfort them

[helly27]

Make sure their room is not too stuffy, prop up the pillow so they are not so laid down so mucus doesn't run down their throat and remember you can alternate an ibuprofen product with a paracetamol product so if one is wearing off you can give the other even before 4 hours just don't go over the daily usage for each one, I never knew this until my second daughter was about 8 but wish I had known previously.

[zoec1980]

Have them in bed with you so you can keep an eye on them and give them the comfort they need.

If they are being sick then beds on the sofas with bowls and DVDs to keep you entertained.

[Maclairey]

Its no different for me really as my children have always been terrible sleepers. My nearly 4 year old has come into my bed every night for about 18 months. My youngest is still teething and wakes most nights for a cuddle. I cope because I have to, because I havent slept properly in 4 years.

Depending on the severity of the poorliness will depend on whether we come downstairs or not. Lots of cuddles, fluids and a close eye on temperature.

[KittyKat88]

I always have DD2 (4) in bed with me if she is poorly because that's what she demands! DD1 (6), meanwhile, prefers to stay in her bed. I make sure that they have everything possible to settle them to sleep. If they wake in the night, I go into Supermum mode ie. sort out their immediate needs (meds, water, toilet etc) and then try to resettle them as soon as possible. It seems to work for us!

[jeanmaloney]

Agree with others, it's much easier to let them in your bed. At least that way you can still get sleep. :)

[pfcpompeysarah]

I hate it when my son is poorly, I get so stressed and worried about whether its something serious and as a single parent I don't have anyone to reassure me that its just a bug rather than something life-threatening (I have a tendency to worry too much after all the media coverage of those ill and told that nothing is wrong etc etc etc). I tend to bring him into bed by me, make sure I have everything I need close to hand, meds, towels, wipes, drinks and so on and then I just hope he sleeps as well as he can.

[freefan]

Nights like this are made for cuddling and plenty of TLC.
watching some cartoons or their favourite DVD is a nice distraction from how yuk they are feeling I have found

[feeona123]

I just tend to do what works.

If they end up in our bed then so be it. Lots of cuddles and extra checks if possible.

[RACHELSMITH45]

Ohhh yes we know all about this in our house!! Chest infections... croup... colds and never ending coughs to name but a few! We tend to do shifts between me and hubby so we both get some sleep in order to function the next day haha! Lots of extra cuddles and reassurance.. calpol/nurofen if necessary.. lots of drinks... days off school (days off work!) and very early nights are our way of coping.

[clareycat]

Only when she is poorly we let our DD sleep with us. All she want's is to be with mummy, else we're constantly up and down when she cries and it means i'm not lying in wake worrying about her i can simply listen to her breathing and cuddle her.

[EmmaNiggles]

Lots of cuddles and normally I just get into bed with her. It makes things easier.

[multiplemummy]

Put them in bed with you, have the calpol & ibuprofen to hand & a cup of juice for when they wake up. It's part of the course; kids getting ill. It's horrible & you feel so helpless but all you can do is give them lots of cuddles, make sure their temp is okay & follow your instinct. I'm a true believer that mothers instinct is very powerful. If you feel that somethings not right, it's not right. Don't be fobbed off by doctors. You know your child better than any text book.

[purplepandas]

Agree about bedsharing or even sleeping on the floor of their bedroom.

[farmergirl29]

Accept that you are going to get no sleep, that is the best thing for me. When put my 14 month down when she is ill and unsettled and try to sleep it always feels far worse when she keeps waking. Bringing her into bed so she settles and sleeps on me while I watch a DVD on quiet works best. I just keep my fingers crossed she has a long nap the next day so I can catch up on sleep!

[Jesswoods1992]

We snuggle up on sofa and watch films with our duvets on x

[Amyaa]

My baby girl gets bad colds and her temperature shoots up. She doesn't eat and isn't very happy. I give her some nurofen before dinner time and she perks up and eats something.

[cwalliss82]

My little girl can be soothed to sleep by me sitting next to her bed and stroking her hair. Even when she is poorly, this normally does the trick.

[throwingpebbles]

I make up a bed on the floor next to them; then I can be there when they wake. Lots of cuddles and make sure they drink plenty

[NauticalDisaster]

To help one of my DC get o sleep, and maximise the sleep I might get, I have slept beside their bed. It comforts them and lets me get a few extra winks of sleep.

[molliemoo060304]

medication, my bed and disney films

[FRETGNIKCUF]

Sickness.

Old towels to ruin instead of bedding, cool room and one with an ensuite!

Coughs and colds, ventilation, propped up pillows.

[Candyperfumegirl]

painkillerd and lots of loves & cuddles

[BellaWella86]

I always find sleeping in the same room helps calm my kids when they are poorly.