fussing at night b/c of a runny nose?

[LaFlaca1226]

How much does your LO fuss at night when they've got a runny nose? DH and I disagree on what's normal. DD (28 months) whines and cries a lot when a runny nose and postnasal drip keep her awake. It's so frustrating for her, and she can't figure out how to blow her nose, or how to just try and breathe through her mouth.

DH thinks we are doing something wrong because DD "thinks it's okay to whine and cry for hours at night." My guess is that CIO kids have to learn really early how to cope with a runny nose while sleeping, because they know no one is going to come to comfort them anyway. I think DD is just accustomed to voicing her feelings, because we listen to her.

So, tell me, do your kids sleep (or stay quiet) all night when they've got a runny nose?

[bstandlee]

Yes (DS did the past 2 nights actually). We always put on the humidifier with a few drops of eucalyptus/peppermint essential oils and rub his chest with the same oils diluted in oil before bed. His sleep patterns remain the same as when he doesn't have a runny nose.

BUT, he has figured out how to breathe through his mouth. I think that makes a big difference.

[Birdie B.]

Our poor daughter has a horrible time sleeping when she has a stuffy nose! She wakes a lot more often and fusses, and when it gets really bad we take her into a steamy bathroom to loosen the congestion. We're planning to get a humidifier too, to help out. But I think it's normal - she feels bad, she cant' breathe lying on her back, why wouldn't she be fussy?

[Maluhia]

Oh I think all kids with stuffy noses whine all night, heck I do inside my own head when I've got a runny nose.

I don't think kids who are not heard are in any less frustration/distress over the uncomfortable feeling than those who are attended to....I guess I want to say a child ignored its not neccecarily dealing with it beyond their developemental ability.

[summerforever1977]

My little one is always sick from fall to spring and will whine and cry all night long when he can't breathe through his nose. I do use a humidifier with menthol drops to help, as well as using Simply Saline and the Nose Frieda before sleeping to try and clear things up a bit. But, the best discovery I made so far was out of desperation to get a decent nights sleep; Breath Right nasal strips recently came out with a kids version; they are for 5 and up, but I started using them with my LO at 21 months and they have truly saved the nights. I use them all the time and they make a huge difference; plus, he likes that they are different colors and have stars on them so he has no problem wearing them.

[Limabean1975]

When *I* have a bad cold, I feel like utter poop at night...when I'm feeling ultra-self-indulgent, I even moan a little. As an adult, I know I have to take care of myself, I can get up and get things to help me if I want, and I have just learned to cope.

If I'd only been around for less than 3 years and could not do alot of things for myself, I'm sure I'd be crying and wanting my mommy.

[Porcelain Interior]

My husband goes into fits and mild rages when he has a stuffy nose and is trying to sleep, he huffs and puffs and deep sighs and sits up all dramatic and angry. "I am getting SO MAD! I can't breathe!"

It's just like watching a 2 year old throw a fit.

I on the other hand am frustrated with a runny nose when it's bedtime, but I don't freak out about it.

I think everyone just varies on what they can tolerate and some people get very panicky when they can't breathe out of their nose.

We've got two kids, and one takes it in stride and the other absolutely whines her head off about it.

I just say "Gosh I sure do hate that, we can blow it, and give you something hot to drink, but sometimes we get sick and just have to work through it until we get better."

Sympathy is really my only answer.