Sickness happens. It’s an unavoidable occurrence in any household, but even more so during an international pandemic. It may be you, it may be your partner, or it may be your child that’s feeling under the weather, and it can feel as though normal rules go straight out of the window, especially when you’re facing issues with sleep.

There are of course illnesses that will affect the household in different ways. For example, a cold may make things harder but manageable, whereas a full bout of COVID, flu, or worse can knock you sideways.

Firstly, let’s look at this situation as though your young child or baby is the one that is sick.

It’s important not to presume that your little one will have trouble sleeping through the night - maybe they won’t! Perhaps despite feeling ill, they will nod off as usual. If you begin mentioning sleep issues preemptively, or if you change the nighttime sleep routine drastically, you may in turn cause them to be thrown off track.

Try to stick to your usual sequence as much as possible - for example, bath, book, bottle, bed - and simply add a step for medication if required. Of course, you can include some extra cuddles along the way, but try not to make it too disruptive to the routine.

When it comes to wake-up time, you’ll definitely want to keep them snoozing a little bit longer, that is natural. As hard as it may sound, try to limit this extra time to around half an hour only. This will help maintain their regular naps throughout the day.

When it comes to your own health and well-being, it can be incredibly tough being sick when little ones depend on you.

If you have a baby, have a discussion with your partner about breastfeeding and if it's something you want to continue. A lot of the time you can! (If you’re unsure, check with your doctor). But it can be draining, and you have to be extra careful with cleanliness. It can be easier to pump and use a bottle for a few days.

Try to relax on the rules a tiny bit - for example, if you know that watching cartoons on TV keeps your children occupied but you usually limit screen time to an hour, double it if it means you can rest. It’s hard, but try to lay off the cuddles too! You may find they sense your mood and want to comfort you, but try to explain that you need some space to recover. Limited contact means you’re less likely to spread your illness to your kiddos.

And finally, SLEEP! This is more crucial now than ever, as your body is fighting off a virus and you need to let it heal. When your little ones sleep, you should too. Ask for additional support from your partner, or see if any friends or family are willing to help. It's difficult to take a step back, but you’ll feel the benefits much sooner and be back on your feet in no time!