9 Ways to Help Your Sick Child Sleep, According to a Doctor
When your little one is sick with a cold, nighttime can be particularly challenging. If their symptoms are disrupting their sleep, it can also affect everyone else in the house. While it may be tempting to give them cough and cold medicine, it’s not likely to be very effective, says pediatrician Brandon Smith, MD, MPH from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Instead, here are some recommendations to help your child find relief and get some much-needed rest:
1. Use a nasal saline spray: If your child is experiencing nasal congestion, a saline spray can help clear their nasal passages before bed. This is safe for any age.
2. Try suction to release the snot: For infants and young toddlers who can’t blow their noses, using a suctioning device after using a nasal saline spray can be effective. Just be sure not to overdo it.
3. Rub menthol ointment on their chest: Massaging menthol rub on your child’s chest can help open up their nasal passageways, providing better airflow. This is recommended for kids older than two.
4. Turn on a humidifier in the bedroom: A humidifier can moisturize the air and make it easier for your child to breathe through a stuffy nose. Be sure to clean the humidifier regularly.
5. Make the bathroom into a steam room: Steam from a bath or shower can help clear out mucus and alleviate a cough.
6. Serve up a little honey: A teaspoon of honey in warm water or tea can soothe a child’s throat if coughing is the primary symptom, but this should only be done after the child is one year old.
7. Prop their head up on extra pillows: For school-age children and above, elevating their head while sleeping can help with nasal drainage.
8. Consider a little melatonin (carefully): A small dose of melatonin may be safe for pre-teens and teens, but it’s important to choose a product that has gone through testing and is FDA-regulated.
9. Stick with your regular routine: Consistency and following the same bedtime routine can help toddlers mentally prepare for sleep, regardless of their symptoms.
If your child’s cold symptoms continue to disrupt their sleep after a few days, it’s a good idea to consult with a pediatrician to ensure there isn’t an underlying issue.
This expert advice can help your child find relief from their cold symptoms and get the rest they need to recover.
