[nee18]

Our son has had his first real cold for almost 3 days now and, while he cold is getting better, his sleeping is getting worse. We worked so hard to get him to a point where he was taking both naps and sleeping the whole night in his crib without much fussing at all anymore. Now, we are majorly going backwards. I know it's normal for him to cling to us when he's sick, but I also don't want him to mess up his sleep so much that, when he's better, the only way he'll nap is on us in the recliner. Not to mention, he just sleeps best in his crib and it's so important for him to sleep right now to get better, but he just cries when we try to lay him down. We don't do CIO and I have an even harder time listening to him cry at all when he's sick. Any helpful advice? Thanks!

[Amber76]

I don't know if it will be true for your son, but when our son was sick, he did the same thing. As soon as he was better, he went right back to sleeping in his crib without any complaint. However, I should also add that he has always preferred to sleep in his crib even when he was just a few weeks old. I hope your son is better very soon! Just a thought, but if he is congested at all, he might want to sleep on you because it keeps him upright and makes it easier to breathe.

[Linny]

Nee18,
Welcome to parenting! This is SO common; in fact, without knowing how old your little boy is now, I'd say if you've actually got him sleeping THAT well in the crib before he was sick, you've practically done miracles!!! LOL

Let him sleep where he's most comfortable and safe for now. If you can keep him upright more so while in a recliner or some other way (assuming it's safe, KWIM), believe me, THIS will pass. Before you know it, he'll be grown and on his own and you'll not have to think about this kind of thing ever again.........But you'll remember how worried you were over sleeping in his crib or not.
Just hold him, pamper him and help him through the cold.
In the scheme of things,where he sleeps right now, is minor.

Sincerely,

Linny

[Kymom2b]

I agree with Linny. When our little girl was 6 wks old she had RSV. That started what has been a nearly 3 yr journey of constant sickness. Our daughter couldn't breathe well laying down and hasn't slept in her crib/toddler bed much at all until the last few months or so. We've just went with the flow and did what she needed us to do. There have been many long nights in the recliner! OUr daughter seems to be growing out of her problems and ya know what? I miss my recliner nights dearly .

Your baby will let you know what he needs and this won't last forever. He should fall right back into his old routine in no time at all. Remember, we all need a little extra TLC when we are sick. When our children aren't vocal they have to communicate in other ways and I think he's saying he needs a little extra cuddle time!

[devildogwife]

I agree. Give the recliner a try. I slept (not really!) in a recliner for 6 weeks holding Cameron because he felt so awful from his MSPI. Hopefully this will help your little guy while he's sick.

[nee18]

I think I've just been so spoiled since he's been born (he's NEVER been sick really) that this is throwing me for a loop. He was so collicky when we first brought him home and now (pre-cold) is such a happy baby, generally a great sleeper-not at all how we thought he'd be, so I guess I just wanted to make sure that all wouldn't be lost as far as sleeping goes by pretty much spoiling him silly while he's sick. Last night, he slept a much larger chunk of time in his crib, so, luckily, I think (I hope) it will be like Amber said where when he's feeling better, his sleeping will go back to normal. I am just trying to enjoy our extra cuddling time now because I know it won't be long until cuddling with mom won't be too cool anymore . The problem is, he wants to be on us all the time, but really doesn't sleep well on us. If he did, I'd just suck it up and have no problem with him sleeping on me while he's sick. But, we're trying to encourage him to sleep in his crib for what he can and then the remainder on us so he's at least getting some quality sleep now. Thanks for the advice!