Chicken Pox related sleep issues

[shanaz]

Hi

My DD has got chicken pox (1st spots noticed on Thurs 23rd) and for the past few days her sleep has been all over the place (not surprisingly!)

Yesterday she slept for 4 hrs during the day (over 2 naps) then with the help of Medised she slept from 7pm - 6.45am with a nwing at 3am for 30 mins - I ended up giving her some more Medised. 

She then refused to nap for longer than 30 mins today, she had 2 x 30 mins naps and was back in bed asleep by 6.15pm.  She has had 2 wakings but pretty minor, back off to sleep within 5 mins. 

I guess my main issue is with her day sleep, she is obviously waking due to being uncomfortable but even with the pain meds she woke after 30 mins and refused to go back to sleep.

Anyone got any good ideas?

[momofclaire]

Can you try some anti itch cream?  Applying cold compresses to the skin seems to help with the itching and skin irritation.

[shanaz]

Yeah, we put calamine lotion on before  which is meant to cool them down and dry up the spots sooner.

I think we will just have to muddle through it the best we can.  We had another cr*p night and ended up bringing her into out bed at about 6 and she finally slept for the longest straight period til 9.15am.  She was waking every 1 - 2 hrs all night 

[momofclaire]

It is tough during illness.  I would try not to start too much  AP.  I would be scared to bring Claire to my bed because I know she would ask for it long after the pox ended. 
Is it the pain, or itching that wakes her? 
Hang in there. You'll get though it.

Just a question?  Did she have the chicken pox vaccine?  I have heard of people getting them even after having it.

[Miche]

With Luke during the day I just put a loose t shirt and his nappy on him to sleep, nothing tight and no bottoms - theory being he might be cooler and looser so as not to rub his skin too much.

I also heard (although I didn't try it) that piriton is supposed to help with the itching too.

 
Miche x

[shanaz]

Hi

Momofclaire - IKWYM re: bringing them into bed but Seren is usually up for the day at 6.30am so we had brought her in thinking her day was starting and she just fell asleep on me!!  We never normally bring her in, it's just part of her morning routine that she comes & cuddles with us and has her cup of milk while DH & I wake up.  I think she was just uncomfortable and needed reassurance from us.  It won't become a regular thing!

Miche - yeah, we've been putting Seren down for naps in just a T shirt & nappy and in her 0.5 tog sleep bag.  At night it has been pretty warm still so she went down in just her nappy with the sleepbag.  Don't think she was overheating.