You probably know the saying “Sleep is the best medicine”. This also applies to the health of your baby. While it sleeps, it not only processes the experiences of the day and stores important information, but also many regeneration and healing processes take place in its small body and its immune system works at full speed.
Inflammation is fought, cells are regenerated, hormones are produced, nerve cells are linked and the body's defenses against viruses and bacteria are strengthened. This has been proven by sleep researchers based on various studies. It has been proven that getting enough sleep means that your child stays healthy or heals faster if they’re sick.
It is prevention and treatment in one. Sufficient sleep is also very important for their growth, which is why you should make sure that your little darling gets enough sleep - even if they don't want to part with you in the evening.
How you can help your baby fall asleep
You both need a bit of patience until the annoying cold is over. The more your baby sleeps, the faster their immune system will be able to defeat pathogens. But the annoying cold symptoms can make it difficult for your baby to fall asleep because they can't breathe through their mouth yet.
You can help your baby sleep by placing a small bolster or rolled-up towel under the head end of their sleeping bag. As a result, the head is raised and the secretion can drain better from the nose. However, it’s essential to avoid using a pillow, as this can cause additional breathing difficulties.
Sufficient humidity can also help them to fall asleep despite an infection because dry heating air makes them cough and block noses worse. Wet towels over the radiators or a humidifier can help here as well as airing out the room well before you put them in. Despite the cold, you should not do without sufficiently warm clothing or your sleeping bag.
In addition to sufficient hours of sleep, a kiss goodnight and a few kind words and cuddles from you will do your child a lot of good when they’re sick. Fighting viruses and bacteria takes a lot of strength, which is why it’s understandable that it longs for your closeness and attention. If they feel safe and secure, your little darling will find their way to the land of dreams more quickly and will soon want to discover the world again full of energy.