Do babies sleep more when sick? At first glance, the answer would be “yes” because babies sleep more when they’re unwell. However, the answer is not straightforward and can be very complicated in some situations.
Most babies sleep more when they are ill because the body is gearing up to fight the infection. This means that there may be an increase in temperature and a reduction in appetite and thirst. The body also begins to use up energy stores (including glucose) for healing, which causes fatigue and irritability.
A recent study found that there is no relationship between shortened daytime sleep duration and nighttime sleep duration (or naps) in healthy infants. We now know that babies don’t need to nap more when they’re ill.
When their biological clocks have matured, babies first begin to nap between 3 and 4 months of age. Naps are an opportunity for the body to rest and grow.
Growing babies need plenty of sleep — and healthy babies do not need more sleep when they’re sick because their bodies require the same amount of sleep no matter what.
Do babies sleep more when sick?
Most sick children usually sleep more, but they often fall asleep and wake up more frequently at night. This is because they may not be able to sleep deeply at night.
After all, they’re fussy and want to be fed or changed, or because they’re feeling restless (can’t settle). In this state of being, they may find it hard to get back to sleep after waking in the middle of the night.
However, the amount of night sleep does not necessarily go up or down when a baby is unwell, and it may just change from night to night.
Also, many factors affect how much babies sleep at night and during the day. These include maturity (baby’s age), temperature (too hot or too cold), feeding practices, and newborn colic. All these factors can influence whether your baby sleeps longer at night when sick.
Why do babies sleep more when sick?
It may have to do with a baby’s limitations and recovery. When babies are sick, they can’t move around as much, so they need to rest more to get better.
Extra sleep may also be needed because the baby is not as alert and active when ill. If it seems clear that your baby needs extra sleep, then encourage her to rest —remember that extra sleep does not mean better, happier, or healthier.
The researchers found some trends but very few significant differences between daytime and nighttime sleep. Infants do not need more rest when sick for their bodies to heal.
Healthy babies don’t need to sleep more when they’re sick, so be sure to take good care of your baby even if she is sleeping a lot.
How to handle sleep when your baby is sick?
If your baby is sick, remember that she doesn’t need to sleep more. If she seems to be sleeping more than usual, try changing her position so that she can rest more comfortably.
If your baby sleeps a lot during the day and won’t feed or drink much (poor appetite), try offering low-fat, easily digestible meals and fluids.
Be sure that there are no hazards in the room (such as toys or blankets), and make sure there is a heat source to keep your baby warm.
Here are some tips on how to manage sleep when your child is sick:
1. Our children are programmed to have more restful sleep when they’re sick. However, there are certain ways you can help your little one stay well and get better.
2. Raise the temperature in your baby’s bedroom. If your baby is sleeping more, perhaps her room needs to be cooler. Keep her bedding clean and free from any blankets that might be causing a suffocation hazard if she wraps up in them, which could cause pneumonia.
3. Make sure your baby is hydrated and comfortable throughout the day. Feed your baby every two to three hours in case her appetite drops.
4. Identify triggers of crying, whether it’s hunger or an upset tummy, so you know what to do before her needs become too extreme to manage.
5. Encourage a warmer, more humid environment.
6. Maintain a consistent routine.
7. Make sure there are no hazards in the room, such as toys or blankets that could be suffocating your baby.
7 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep When Sick
1. Keep her bedding clean and free from any blankets that might be causing a suffocation hazard if she wraps up in them, which could cause pneumonia.
2. Keep her room at the right temperature for babies.
3. Make sure your baby is getting enough fluids every day, especially if she isn’t feeding as often as usual, because being sick can dehydrate babies more easily than adults.
4. Avoid feeding your baby when she’s sick because feeding can make a sick baby sicker.
5. Don’t leave a newborn on his own for long periods because he might not be able to feed or breathe properly.
6. Try adjusting your baby’s position if she’s uncomfortable or crying so that she has more rest and can get better faster.
7. Keep a consistent routine as much as you can so that she knows what to expect.
4 Ways To Manage Nighttime Sleep When Babies Are Sick
1. Try using a humidifier or a cool-mist humidifier to keep the moisture in the room at around 60 to 80 percent humidity, which helps your child’s nasal passages stay clear and healthy.
2. Make sure there are no hazardous objects in the room, such as blankets, stuffed animals, or bedding that might suffocate your baby if she wraps up in them.
3. Make sure you have extra crib sheets on hand and keep your baby’s sleep environment clean and safe.
4. If your baby wants to sleep on her tummy, make sure she doesn’t get too hot by adding a few layers of white or light-colored blankets between her and the mattress.
3 Ways To Manage Daytime Sleep When Babies Are Sick
1. Slip a few layers of white or light-colored blankets between your baby and the mattress to keep her from becoming too warm if she wants to sleep on her tummy during the day.
2. See if you can identify your baby’s fussiest time and try feeding her during that time of day if she needs something to eat instead of sleep.
3. If your baby is hungry and won’t sleep, or is too uncomfortable for bedtime, try filling a small bottle with formula and let her have some when she’s awake.
How long should baby sleep when sick?
Infants don’t need more sleep when they’re sick for their bodies to heal. Extra sleep is not needed. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that parents wait until a baby is older than four months to decide when the child should start sleeping through the night.
Infants can sleep easily through a cold or flu, but seek medical attention if your baby seems very uncomfortable or has a fever. If your baby seems to be getting better after some rest, it’s OK to keep her in the dark room with soft music playing until she’s fully healthy again.
Do babies sleep more when they have a cold?
According to doctors, babies don’t need more rest when sick. Babies usually sleep the same amount of time, even when they have a cold or the flu. However, if your baby seems to be getting plenty of rest at night because she’s too uncomfortable to play or eat during the day, but her symptoms don’t seem to improve after five days, it’s time for a trip to the pediatrician.
Researchers have found no significant differences in daytime and nighttime sleep at any age. A sick baby only sleeps when held, can wake up easily if you try to comfort him, and cries when he needs to be fed. When your baby can fall asleep on his own on a bed, he’ll usually be getting better.
Sleepy baby when to worry NHS
Bedtime in babies is a part of the little one’s life where he learns to calm down and drift off.
Babies sleep in different ways. Some will sleep through the night, and some need more frequent feeds. There are no hard and fast rules, so in general, it’s best to put your baby down to sleep when he’s tired.
Since newborns can’t reason, they can’t understand that they should be sleeping at certain times of the day or night.
Final Thoughts
Babies are known to sleep more when they are sick, and this is because their immune system has to work harder to fight the infection in their bodies. So it would be normal for a baby to sleep more when sick.
Babies can sleep, even if they are sick. Unlike adults, babies need extra sleep to recover when they are sick. Sleep when sick, and take it easy while your baby is ill. Babies should be allowed to sleep through the night as often as possible to avoid getting too tired and healthy.
I hope this article helped you further with some of these topics, and I’m sure you could use this information in your household. These topics are helpful to know when there is a baby sleeping well but is sleeping more than normal. If you have any other tips for parents with babies sleeping more when sick, please let me know in the comment section below!
FAQs
Should You Let Your Baby Sleep More When Sick?
Yes! Babies sleep more when they are sick, so if your baby is sick, let him sleep more until he is better.
Why Should You Let Your Baby Sleep More When Sick?
A baby should always sleep at least 4 hours a night. A baby must get the required amount of sleep as it helps them grow and develop properly. If your baby turns into a zombie when he’s sick, don’t feel bad about letting him sleep for longer. Try not to worry too much about it.
Do Colds Make Babies Sleep More?
No, colds usually don’t make a baby sleep more. Babies usually sleep the same amount of time when they are sick as they do when they are healthy. Babies can sleep through a cold, but if your baby isn’t doing well and has a fever try to take him to see the doctor as soon as possible.
Do Sick Babies Sleep All Day?
No, a sick baby will sleep during the night. Babies can normally sleep through the night, even when they are sick.
How Much Do Babies Sleep When They’re Sick?
Most babies will still sleep the same amount of hours when they are sick as they do when healthy unless your baby is too uncomfortable to sleep properly, which might cause him to wake up more.
Should Babies Sleep In Their Car Seats For Safety?
Sleeping babies should sleep through their car rides, even if their seat has a safety harness attached. Your baby is the safest sleeping through the ride, whether in a car seat with or without a harness. You can also use a white noise machine to help relax your baby.
How Long Can Babies Sleep In Car Seats?
Babies who take naps in car seats do not need to ride longer than what would be considered normal for their age group. An infant should not be kept longer than 45 minutes in a rear-facing infant car seat or 20 minutes in a forward-facing infant seat.
