Do Babies Need Extra Sleep When They Are Sick?

When you̵7;re feeling under the weather, you probably just want to stay in bed all day. This is normal, since sleep is how your body heals itself. It is also normal to anticipate this behavior in babies who are sick, according to Lauren Boston. Still, knowing what is -- and isn̵7;t -- normal can help you keep your little one comfortable and speed her recovery.

  1. Normal Infant Sleep

    • Babies sleep a lot. For instance, an infant of about 6 months will sleep 10 hours at night and still need three to five hours of sleep during daytime naps. This is normal and should be encouraged, says the KidsHealth website, since sleep gives babies the energy they need to learn and grow. It is normal for your child to develop sleep patterns as they get older, but illness can throw off the sleep schedule of even the best sleep-adjusted baby.

    Encouraging Sleep

    • If your baby isn̵7;t feeling well, encourage more frequent naps throughout the day. Put him down for bed a bit earlier, too. This will allow him to get more sleep at night and may help to compensate for more frequent wakings due to discomfort. Stick to your baby̵7;s sleep routine as much as possible to prevent schedule issues once he gets better.

    Managing Symptoms

    • Though extra sleep is helpful for sick babies, it can be difficult for them to rest when uncomfortable symptoms keep them awake, agitated and unhappy. Congestion, fever, gas and upset stomach can all impair your little one̵7;s ability to sleep. Try running the shower for a few minutes and taking your baby into the steamy bathroom to relieve nasal congestion. A warm, soothing bath can help, too. If an upset stomach is the problem, pumping your baby̵7;s legs as though she were riding a bicycle can relieve gas.

    Seek Help

    • Sleepiness is often a sign that babies are sick. This isn̵7;t always cause for alarm, but monitor your baby̵7;s symptoms at home and contact your pediatrician if she dozes off much more easily or is difficult to rouse, suggests AboutKidsHealth. A high fever is also a sign than medical attention is required. Finally, if you can̵7;t wake up your baby from sleep, call 911.

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