For parents with an 18-month-old?

Question

My 18-month-old has a cold which always affects his sleep. He woke up an hour and a half early this morning (5:30 a.m) and was miserable but wouldn't go back to sleep. He fell asleep easily for his afternoon nap which normally lasts for 2-3 hours. He woke up crying after only an hour. This happend yesterday and I got him up but he was unbearable all afternoon. My question: would you just let him cry until he goes back to sleep? My only option would be to leave him in his crib because he never falls asleep by rocking, bottle, laying down with him, etc. Do you have this problem when your child gets a cold?

Nevermind, he cried for 5 minutes and then fell back asleep so hopefully he'll sleep for another hour or so.

I should clarify something: it would never be my intention to let my sick child cry for hours on end. I also do not see it as an "imposition" to care for my sick toddler. I do, however, know that sleep is extremely important, especially when one is sick. Sometimes it is a better trade-off to have him cry for 10 minutes or so and get the sleep he needs rather than to let him get up and then be whining and crying for the rest of the day. More sleep= less crying. I was simply looking for responses from seasoned partents to see what they might do in this situation and perhaps a bit of comfort in knowing that I'm not alone.

Answer 1

It's awful when they are sick, isn't it?!
If my little guy wakes I will wait 5 minutes, NO MORE because sometimes he does go back to sleep.
For naps, if he won't go to sleep or wakes up I will just take him to my bed and sleep with him. I am a grad student so if I cannot take the time to sleep myself (I wish!) I will bring a book and study while he sleeps on the bed with me. I love it! I am getting what I need done and he gets the comfort of mommy while he gets the sleep he needs.

Answer 2

I would take him to the doctor to see if they could give him some med. to easy his discomfort and stop the coughing. After the doctors said that everything is fine and ok, I wouldn't let him cry himself to sleep because that is going to make him hot and cough more. He just want some attention from mama. Its ok to give it to him but not to much til he clings with you. The two of you after he eats sit down and watch his favorite movie or cartoon after you give him his med. You can even read him a book if he will listen. Do something that would keep him not to active so he won't get over heated. Then you can also try the veck rub on his chest that they have for baby or the patch. They also have the baby bath with the vapor med in it to help a baby sleep. It can put both of you two to sleep. You going to need all the engery you can get so try to sleep when he is sleep. Good luck, hope he get well soon.

Answer 3

Give him some Benadryl for his cold and congestion. Call or see a doctor to get the ok first, don't just go by what I say. This is what I was told by my children's pediatrician though. Letting him just lay there and suffer and cry is mean though, you do love this child don't you? Hold him, make him feel comforted. It shouldn't be an imposition on you to take good care of a sick child.

I'm afraid that you are alone. No one else here would just let their sick child lay there and cry. Have you considered giving him medicine? He isn't being cranky for no reason, he is sick. Take care of him by comforting him. Letting him lay their for 10 minutes and cry isn't caring for him. He could sleep in your arms without crying, you might be uncomfortable but he won't be.

Answer 4

Your baby is crying like this because of the irritation. Its hard for him to relax what I do when mine is like this I allow her to stay awake until she is tried enough to fall asleep on her own now granted you may loose some sleep in the process but it's a lot better then having your baby crying for hours on end, and besides the cold will pass and you can get him back on a sleeping schedule.

Answer 5

Is he able to breath through his nose? You may need to use some nasal drops or some tylenol to ease his symptoms.

When my twins are sick, I don't like to let them cry because it just makes them feel worse. Can you take him for a walk in the stroller or a drive in the car? That sometimes helps mine sleep when they're sick.

Answer 6

I would NOT let him lay there and just continue crying. This is a develop time for him and you don't want to lose that bond between you. Please give the comfort to your child when he needs it. You are not considered to overly mushy if you comfort your child every time he/she cries. Do you give the child tylenol for children? You might try it -- it may allow the child to sleep more comfortably. If that doesn't help, you might want to take your baby to the DOCTOR.

Answer 7

yeah its kinda rough when they have a cold.. you could give it a try, as long as he's properly medicated, but if he's really miserable about it you might just be stuck until the cold gets better.. sick babies are miserable, no fun at all but theres not a heck of a lot you can do for them , have you trie d a vapor bath or vapor rub for his chest? vaporizer in his room?

Answer 8

Please don't let him cry himself to sleep when he's sick. Imagine? Make sure he's got his medicine, his drink and something to soothe him before he goes to bed. If I had to be hands free, I tended to put mine in a playpen with favorite things, once the medicine kicked in, zonk! Also, Johnson's vapor bath works really well, if he's not allergic.

Answer 9

When he's sick he wants his mommy to comfort him, that's all.