Whenever your child is unwell it is a worrying time for any parent. As a GP and Paediatric Sleep Consultant I often see parents feeling especially worried about their child’s sleep (and their own!) during these periods. I’m often asked how to handle sleep during colds, coughs, fevers, and other viral illnesses. Unfortunately a period of illness can seem to throw even the most settled sleeper off track, and it’s completely normal for routines to shift temporarily. 

The key to managing sleep during illness is to provide comfort and support whilst maintaining healthy sleep habits where possible. Here’s what you need to know about how illness can affect your baby or child’s sleep, and how you can help your little one rest as comfortably as possible whilst they recover.

When your child is unwell there are a number of things that you can do to help them get the rest that they need:

– Offer comfort

If they are feeling unwell your child may be irritable or unsettled, so extra cuddles and comfort are important. They may need more help settling to sleep and staying asleep and it is important to provide this. 

To make it easier to return to your usual sleep routines once they have recovered, it is best to avoid introducing new sleep habits that might be particularly difficult to break later on. For example, if you feel your child needs you to be present in the night whilst they are unwell, it is better for you to move a mattress into their room rather than allowing them to sleep in your bed. 

If the period of illness is short, and you have not had to change your settling methods too drastically, then once they are feeling well again you should be able to return to your usual routine. After longer periods of illness and sleep disruption you may find that you need to spend some time helping your child to re-learn their previous sleep habits. If your child slept well before their illness then the good news is that they will likely return to this relatively quickly.

– Pain and fever management

Over the counter medications are helpful to keep in the medicine cabinet for periods of illness. Paracetamol  can be given from 8 weeks of age if your baby or child is showing signs of discomfort whilst they are unwell. Ibuprofen can also be given once your baby is over 3 months of age and weighs more than 5kg. 

Headaches and muscle aches are common with viral illnesses and ear infections can be particularly uncomfortable for children at night. You may need to give your child pain relief medication at bedtime to make them feel comfortable enough to settle to sleep. You may also need to give a further dose during the night if they wake due to discomfort. 

Both Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can also help to bring down a fever, however treating a fever is not always necessary unless it appears to be making your child feel uncomfortable. Always follow the dosage instructions on the medication bottle or those provided by your healthcare professional.

– Follow your child’s lead and be flexible

If your baby or child is showing signs of being more tired than usual, allow them to sleep when they need to. This may mean longer naps or an earlier bedtime for a few days. If on the other hand they appear to be struggling to settle you may need to provide more comfort than usual to help them fall asleep or stay asleep. This may mean that you need to utilise contact naps or naps in the carrier or pram. 

– Respond to night wakes in a responsive but consistent manner

If your baby wakes more often at night, respond to their needs and offer as much reassurance and comfort as they require. Try to use your usual settling methods in the first instance to see if they are effective before rushing to introduce additional measures such as bringing your child into your bed. Within a few days your child is likely to return to their usual sleep patterns, especially if no significant changes to their settling routine were introduced.

– Monitor for any red flags

Common symptoms of many childhood illnesses can include fever, reduced appetite, sleep disturbance and irritability. These are likely to settle within a few days and are usually manageable at home with comfort and Paracetamol if necessary. If however you are concerned that your baby or child is showing signs of being significantly more unwell, you should seek medical attention without delay.

Red flags to look for would include:

– A fever of >38 degrees in a baby less than 3 months of age

– A fever for more than 5 days

– A fever that is not responding to Paracetamol or Ibuprofen

– Persistent refusal to feed

– Not passing urine

– Changes to your child’s breathing

– A new rash

– Drowsiness

If any of these signs are present or you are concerned about your child, then please contact your healthcare provider without delay. 

– Return to your child’s usual routine as soon as possible

Most children’s sleep returns to normal within a couple of days after a period of illness. Once your child seems more settled, gently guide them back to their usual sleep schedule and settling routine. 

Final Thoughts

Periods of illness are unfortunately extremely common during childhood. This is especially true once your child starts nursery. Illness may cause some temporary sleep disturbances, but fortunately these usually pass within a day or two. By providing comfort and reassurance and managing your child’s discomfort, you can help them to get the rest they need as their body recovers.

If you have any ongoing concerns about your baby or child’s sleep after illness, I’m here to help. You can book a free sleep assessment call here and follow @thebabysleepgp for more sleep tips.

Dr Francesca, founder of The Baby Sleep GP, is a GP and certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant based in London. She has a passion for helping babies and children age 0 – 5 years achieve better sleep. With 15 years of medical experience and a deep understanding of infant and child sleep health, she provides trusted, reliable and evidence-based advice and support to families like yours.

As both a doctor and a parent, she knows how exhausting and overwhelming sleep struggles can be. Her approach is individualised, responsive and always respectful of your parenting style. Her aim is to empower you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to help your child develop healthy sleep habits which will last them a lifetime, allowing your little one (and you!) to get the restful sleep you all deserve.