04/04/2022
In my family March was jam packed with illness. Who can relate? 🙋♀️
We know that in order to get better, we need to rest and it’s hard to get that when everyone is sick and cranky!
Here is a guide to help your little ones get the rest they need without throwing a wrench in sleep habits you may have been working hard at maintaining
🤢 Stick to as normal a schedule as you can for naps and bedtime noting that your child may need extra rest during this time. Instead of letting your baby nap late into the afternoon, try putting them down ~30 min earlier for a nap.
🤢 Instead of a ton of screen time for hours all afternoon and evening (I know deff tempting), try doing quiet/calm/sedentary activities without TV 1-2 hrs before bedtime. Reading books, puzzles, sticker books, coloring, crafts, a long bath. This can help children fall asleep easier without all of the stimulation from electronic devices.
🤢 Be prepared for extra wake-ups during the night. It’s normal for sleep to be disrupted during illness and you can prepare in the evening with setting out extra clothes, sheets, medicines etc. This way you can calmly intervene with the lights low and try and provide comfort/care in the least stimulating way possible. This will help your child drift back to sleep easier vs them being wide eyed as you search for that extra sleep sack at the bottom of the laundry basket (umm…can you tell I’ve done this?)
🤢 If you are worried about leaving your child alone while sleeping, go to them instead of bringing them to your bed. This way, when they start to feel better they won’t have to re-adjust to their sleeping environment.
🤢 If you find yourself helping your baby/toddler to fall asleep, by rocking or holding them to sleep, that’s ok! Depending on the severity of the illness it might be harder for your baby to self soothe even if they could before getting sick. Never question your gut if you feel your baby needs more help than normal to fall asleep. The good news is that after your child is better you can go back to your old routine.
Wishing everyone a healthy Spring and if you need help getting back on track after illness, please DM me!
Michelle 💤💤💤