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Helping your baby to sleep when they have a cold.

Posted on Thursday, 19 May 2011 09:09AM by Jo Tantum
By Jo Tantum, Baby sleep expert

So how does having a cold affect your baby's sleep?

Well, as your baby's nose is bunged up, they can't feed properly. This means your baby is hungry and will wake more often in the night to feed. After a few days of doing this your baby will get into the habit of waking more often during night even after their cold has gone away.

Even daytime naps are affected as your baby can't settle if their little nose is blocked. As you know your baby needs sleep to get better so parents try and help their baby settle and most resort to holding baby upright on their chest. This of course helps in the short term but then creates a long term problem when that is the only place your baby will sleep!

So the cold may cause bad sleep habits meaning your baby wakes many times a night which leads to a very sleep deprived household.
 
When babies have a blocked or runny nose I always recommend the 4little1 Baby nose-clear products as these can be used right from birth to clear little noses.  The nasal aspirator is an award winning medical device which allows you to physically suction the nose to clear the airway. Paediatrician advice is to clear the nose before a feed to make feeding easier, this is particularly helpful when mum is still breastfeeding.

I recommend the baby nose-clear bedtime routine to help babies sleep better when they have a blocked noses. The 4little1 products are a must for any Nursery, they are all made from natural ingredients, so you can help your baby breathe, feed and sleep better even when they have a cold which means everyone is happier!
Baby nose-clear bedtime routine for recuperative sleep

1.     Prepare Baby’s Room
First, prepare baby’s room with the Baby nose-clear Room Vapour. This is a pure blend of pure essential oils with natural antibacterial properties. It is a lovely way of refreshing the room and has natural decongestant and calming properties to help baby sleep better when they have a cold. It is safe to use from birth.  Because water vapour is very helpful in relieving a blocked nose, the best way to diffuse the oil is to place a few drops in a warm bowl of water to release the vapour, or you can use on a damp cloth over a radiator.

2.     Bathing
Bath time is very important when baby has a cold. It is very refreshing and the water vapour is helpful. Bathe as usual in a warm bath. If baby has a  temperature you could make the bath a little cooler, but still comfortable. The Baby nose-clear Hair & Body Wash is 100% natural and is very gentle on the skin and the helpful vapour to helps clear blocked noses. It does not contain mineral oils, SLS or parabans.

3.     Nasal Aspirator
Suction with the Baby Nose-Clear Nasal Aspirator to physically clear the nose so baby can breathe more easily.  This can be done whenever you see visible mucus at the baby’s nose and they are struggling to breathe. It is ideal to do this before a feed and before bed. If the mucus is sticky or crusty it is great to suction after a bath. If the mucus is still too dry you can use a couple of drops of saline to soften the mucus, leave for a few minutes and then aspirate. 

The Baby nose-clear aspirator is simply the best aspirator available with its controlled suction and it is great value as it has a reusable filter. Again, it can be used from birth.
Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and hold between your lips/teeth so that you have both hands free. Then hold the bulb end at the baby’s nostril and target visible mucus. You can do this one handed so that the other hand is free to secure and comfort the child. Then simply suck and the congestion will collect in the sealed chamber behind the filter. You can vary the level of suction and see the mucus collect behind the reusable filter.

4.     Baby Massage
Massage can be usefully incorporated into the bedtime routine, it is very relaxing and can be used as a strong bedtime signal. It helps stimulate baby’s immune system and is ideal for little ones with colds. From 3 months you can use the Baby nose-clear Organic Massage Oil. It nourishes the skin and its helpful vapour helps ease breathing.  Younger babies can still benefit from the massage movements but we recommend using pure organic sunflower oil.

The following movements can either be used as a complete massage or incorporated into your usual programme. They focus on the chest and upper back to help relieve congestion and are followed by the face and sinuses to help clear the sinuses and a blocked nose.
a.     Firstly, warm the oil in your hands and with baby laid on their back, use gentle strokes on the chest. Start at the centre and flowing upwards and outwards. Then, using cupped fingertips, gently pat down and up the sides of the chest to loosen congestion. Avoid the collar bone and navel.
b.     Secondly, turn baby and repeat these movements on the back, avoiding the spine.
c.     Finally, massage the face, avoiding the eyes and mouth:
Gently press your little fingers flat under the cheek bone, starting either side of baby’s nose and hold for 5-10 seconds
Then gently massage outwards from the nose along the cheek bone. Finally draw your fingers up from the bridge of the nose and outwards across the forehead several times. 

5.     Bedtime feed
Your baby should now be sleepy and ready for a final feed before bed. Hold and talk quietly letting your baby hear your heartbeat.  If younger than 3 months it is helpful to swaddle in a cool cotton or bamboo wrap.

6.     And so to bed
Put your baby in the cot while still awake, in the room that has been previously prepared with the Room Vapour.


Six Steps to Sleepytime
Helpful products
Age
1
Prepare baby’s room with the Room Vapour. The pure essential oil blend has natural decongestant, antibacterial and calming properties.
Baby nose-clear Room Vapour
From birth
2
Bath to relax, the water vapour also helps decongest the chest and sinuses. (The New Vapour Wash will be available in 2011)
Baby nose-clear Hair & Body Wash
From birth
3
Suction the nose to physically clear the airway.
Baby nose-clear nasal aspirator
From birth
4
Massage to relax and cue bedtime, using specific movements to help clear congestion, blocked sinuses and noses.
Baby nose-clear Organic Massage Oil
Pure organic sunflower oil
From 3 months
Younger than 3 months
5
Bedtime feed
 
 
6
And so to bed
Swaddle in light bamboo or cotton
Younger than 3 months
Sweet dreams and I hope your little one is feeling better soon.
Jo Tantum x

Jo Tantum is a leading Baby Sleep Specialist, with 24 years experience and her best-selling book Baby Secrets she helps sleep deprived parents around
the World teach their baby's to love sleeping!

Get in touch with Jo at www.babysecretsltd.com for her email/phone and home support.



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