We are always delighted to link up with any organisations and companies that help to promote the care of babies and we have been very fortunate to meet lots of very interesting experts that have a wealth of interesting and helpful information to pass on that we have decided to open our blogs up to getting facts that we can pass on to you.
Mandy Gurney from Millpond Children's Sleep Clinic shares her expert knowledge on seasonal illness and sleep....
When a child is ill, his or her sleep can be disturbed by frequent waking. Even children who could sleep for England may be kept awake by a fever, coughing or a blocked nose. If your child needs medication or frequent close attention during this period of illness, you may want to sleep near him. To minimise disruptions and prevent unhelpful sleep associations that could be difficult to break once he is better, make up a bed for yourself in his room and stay close to him that way.
You cannot expect to start a programme when your child is ill, but do try and keep up your bedtime routine; this will prove invaluable when he recovers and needs to start getting used to 'normal' routines again.
If your poorly little one calls for you in the night, you cannot ignore them as you might have otherwise. Go to him or her straight away to establish whether he needs medical attention, reassure him that you are there if he feels unwell again. However aim to be business-like and resettle him back down in his bed as soon as you can.
If your child shows signs of sleep problems when he is unwell and these continue once he is better, you will need to act decisively and reinforce the old routines as quickly as possible. About 3 or 4 nights of perseverance and hard work should get you back on track.
Visit Millpond Children's Sleep Clinic website www.millpondsleepclinic.com for more sleep tips and to find out about the sleep services they offer.
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