Their body needs sleep, and lots of it, to heal and fight off infection. Most of the time they will take care of this themselves by sleeping longer and more frequently. This may mean they’ll want to go to bed earlier, sleep in later, and take longer or more naps.
Will a cold make a baby more sleepy?
Infants can get seven colds in their first year alone, the Mayo Clinic says, all of which can seriously disrupt sleep. Even if your child is a star snoozer, a cold could result in odd sleep hours, multiple nighttime wakeups and increased clinginess around bedtime.
Is it normal for babies to sleep more when sick?
Sick days might be the biggest napping days of the year for you, but when it’s Baby who’s feeling under the weather, it can be worrying when those extra hours of nap time start to add up. Extra sleep when they’re sick is perfectly normal for babies, too, and can be an important part of the recovery process.
Does sleep help baby recover from a cold?
Encourage Rest. Sleep is key for a healthy immune system. It can help your baby fight off that cold virus. To help them get a good night’s rest, clear out the mucus with saline drops and a bulb syringe before naps and at bedtime.
Why is my baby sleeping so much with a cold? – Related Questions
How long does a cold last for a baby?
If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it’s important to take your baby’s signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don’t improve or if they worsen, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
When should I worry about my baby’s cold?
You don’t need to call a doctor for a cold if your baby is over 3 months old. In younger infants, make the call when symptoms start — especially if your baby has a fever. Cold-like symptoms might actually signal a more serious illness, such as pneumonia or an ear infection.
How should a baby sleep with a cold?
For a baby sleeping with a cold, use extra pillows to raise their head and shoulders as this will help the congestion drain down. For infants DO NOT use pillows. Instead, raise one end of the cot with something solid, like wooden wedges, making sure the cot is stable.
How long should baby sleep when sick?
Typically, for babies who are taking more than one nap, we cap each nap at about 2 hours. While sick, you can allow a bit more sleep, but keep in mind that awake time, hydration, and calories are important too. Trust your gut, but consider waking your little one if it has been longer than 2.5-3 hours for any given nap.
How can I help my baby with a cold?
To make your baby as comfortable as possible, try some of these suggestions:
- Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids are important to avoid dehydration.
- Suction your baby’s nose. Keep your baby’s nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe.
- Try nasal saline drops.
- Moisten the air.
How do you settle a baby with a cold?
While you’re giving them plenty of love, remember to keep them comfortable.
- Don’t smoke.
- Keep baby warm but don’t overheat.
- Soothing baby baths.
- Calm yourself down.
- Rule out the common causes of baby tears.
- Give them some extra TLC.
- Distract them.
- Stay calm and get support.
What are the worst days of a cold?
Symptoms peak: Cold symptoms peak at 1 to 3 days. The main symptoms include sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, discomfort, sneezing, fever (more common in children), headaches, clear, watery discharge from your nose (mucus), and body aches.
Do babies go off milk when they have a cold?
The levels of immunity-boosting cells, called leukocytes, in your milk also rise rapidly whenever your baby is unwell. Due to the inflammation of a sore little throat, associated with a cold, your baby may start to refuse to breastfeed or may want to breastfeed for shorter periods.
What happens if a baby gets a cold?
If your baby catches the common cold, try not to worry. A cold caused by a virus isn’t typically something concerning—other than the fussiness and sleepless nights that may follow. However, viruses can escalate into a more serious illness which can potentially be dangerous for young infants.
How can you tell if an infant has a cold?
Baby cold symptoms
- Runny nose (watery at first, then opaque to sometimes yellow or green-tinted)
- Nasal congestion or stuffiness.
- Sneezing.
- Mild fever (sometimes)
- Dry cough (which may get worse at night and toward the end of a cold)
- Sore or scratchy throat (not so easy to spot in a baby)
- Fatigue or crankiness.
- Appetite loss.
Do breastfed babies recover from colds faster?
Breastfeeding is a great source of comfort to a sick child. There are antibodies in breast milk that can shorten the length of the illness and allow your baby to recover more quickly.
What position should a congested baby sleep in?
The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much.
Does congestion cause SIDS?
Pulmonary congestion is present in 89% of SIDS cases (p < 0.001 compared with non-SIDS deaths), and pulmonary edema in 63% (p < 0.01).
Can babies breathe through their mouth when congested?
If your baby has a stuffy nose they may breathe through their mouth, which can make it harder for them to feed. In rare cases, a stuffy nose can cause breathing problems. Usually, nasal congestion goes away on its own within a week.
Can congested babies use pacifiers?
Medical experts believe that when babies use pacifiers while dealing with a stuffy nose, it causes a damaging pressure in the tube between the nose and the ear, increasing the risk of ear infection.
How can I decongest my baby’s nose?
Squeeze one to two drops of saline nose drops in each nostril to help loosen any dried mucus and then use a rubber suction bulb. To use it, first squeeze the bulb. Next, gently stick the tip of the bulb into a nostril. Finally, slowly release the bulb and it will pull out clogged mucus.