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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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.

I have a poorly baby at the moment.
To be honest nothing is really working so far as they refuse/spit out medicine and aren't settling at night at all, waking up frequently and for long periods, so I will be reading the advice here, thanks! Co-sleeping is a joke... neither of mine ever wanted to sleep in my bed, they stay awake because it's too interesting, then scream and kick me..

The only thing I would say is get an early night yourself, get partner to help in the night and ask relatives to step in if you can.

If DC is unwell I get his temperature under control by alternating Calpol and Nurofen. If he is congested I find the Boots Easy Breathing Vaporiser works really well, I also rub some snufflebabe or Vicks vaporub on his chest. A few drops of lavender on his pillow or a tissue help relax him. I'll stay in his room and in his bed until he's asleep bug generally find he sleeps better in his own bed, with all his cuddly toys.

If DC is unwell I get his temperature under control by alternating Calpol and Nurofen. If he is congested I find the Boots Easy Breathing Vaporiser works really well, I also rub some snufflebabe or Vicks vaporub on his chest. A few drops of lavender on his pillow or a tissue help relax him. I'll stay in his room and in his bed until he's asleep but generally find he sleeps better in his own bed, with all his cuddly toys.

We have a 'vomit kit' ready upstairs as one of my boys gets sick a lot.

-2 buckets (for puking, and one to have when the other is being emptied and cleaned)
-baby wipes (amazing at getting the puke off the carpet)

• nappy sacks (to put the pukey wipes in)
• spare clean duvet (always get puked on)
• spare clean pillow (always get puked on)

I always take them downstairs and watch tv with them until the puking has subsided enough for them to go back to sleep and to avoid any more going into the wash pile.

I always found it easier to just sleep in their room with them. Having everything nearby like drinks and medication. They just seemed to settle better knowing mum was close by.

We get everything ready upstairs in case it is needed during the night- bottle of water, medicine. Usual bath before bed and vapour rub on feet if coughing- sometimes works!

I make DS warm drinks, have him in bed with me so I can doze while he sleeps, it also means I don't have to get up every time he wakes.

We have a sofabed downstairs, so when our kids are poorly, hubby and I take it in turns to spend the night with them. It always works for us, they are much better when they are with us.

When my DD was small she suffered from abdominal migraine which took a long time to get diagnosed so I was often up all night with her as she would get very sick. We had two ways of dealing with it which changed as she got older. When she was very small she and I would sleep downstairs to avoid disturbing my DS and my husband. She would sleep on the sofa and I would sleep on a padded sun lounger beside her. I found it very handy to be downstairs with access to the kitchen for fresh drinks - and the washing machine if I didn't move fast enough! When she was older she slept in bed with me so I was instantly ready with the sick bowl. For coughs and colds for her and DS then extra pillows in their own bed, water to sip, oblas oil to help with breathing - and being taken into my bed if they can't sleep and are getting upset. I put on relaxing classical music which helps.

Much agree with all the rest, tlc and snuggled in bed with mummy with whatever is required at hand.

Depending how poorly they are, I will have them in bed with me whilst my husband moves to the sofa. This way all of us get some decent sleep and I can monitor my boys well, like checking their temperature, holding a bowl for them if they have to be sick or give them ibuprofen, paracetamol or cough sirup.

I sleep right next to him in a sofa bed.

I either sleep in on their floor or have them in the bed with me, kicking dp out! Have a box of essentials ready and next to the bed as well as sick bowl and fresh sheets/pyjamas

Depending on what my little ones have, if she has a temperature I'll try & keep her temperature down by putting these children's cool patches. If she has a cold I'll try and keep her warm, warm blankets & wearing a warm fluffy robe to sleep.

We always use olbas oil sprinkled on the bed and a damp flannel for cooling the brow.

Agree with the others, take them into bed with you, and kick dp out into spare bed because double beds are not made for 2 adults and a sickly wiggly child in the middle. I usually let ds play on his tablet with the sound off or low, a nice easy way to keep him occupied in my bed without making a mess or interrupting what little sleep im trying to get.

Prepare: tissues, medicines etc all upstairs.
Prepare: towels under coughing children, they may be sick.
Prepare: for a bad nights sleep. Try and go as early as possible yourself to bed and expect disturbed sleep.
Remember: do not get grumpy! Not little ones fault, getting upset will upset them further.

Have medicine and dispenser at the ready, rather than searching around in the dark for it. I agree with everyone else - sleep with your children when sick. Its reassuring for me that I am close to them and comforting for them so they have a better night sleep.

As most have said, have the child in bed with you. Accept you are unlikely to get much sleep. I find a realistic expectation helps me to deal with lack of sleep.

Its so awful when the little ones are poorly. You just have to stay patient and try make things easier for them - so if they have a blocked nose and the sniffles pop them in bed with you with their head rested on the pillow and use the nasal sprays - lots of lullabyes, kisses and hugs xx

Just try and be as normal as poss but in bed. Re runs of peppa pig if really poorly

We have a fairly lightweight dinner, nice got bath with a couple of drops of Lavender oil to help sleep, Lavender on pillows, in bed with Mum, sick bucket and towel on the side, humidifier with essential oils to help decongest and sleep, if feverish a dose of Nurofen (Calpol has too much sugar and colouring in) and then some calming stories and music and off to sleep! Mum included!!

I always find it best to sleep in my little ones room on a camp bed rather than bring them into my room. This is mainly because they quickly get used to being in your bed and its much harder to move them back to their own room after a few days. Easier for you to go to their room. Mine suffers from a lot of respiratory illnesses and i often have to sleep in their room. I have a humidifier which comes in handy for any child who has croup or asthma etc.

I find that you just have to go to bed expecting to be woken up and knowing that at some point my DS will end up in the bed. Don't fight it!

Having everything to hand and prepared in the bathroom is a godsend especially if you're crashing around at 3am trying to find a measuring spoon or a syringe. Handy to have changes of clothes at hand too.