Getting sleep back on track after teething, illness or travel

There are three things that can really disrupt your child's sleep.You can have a child who is the best sleeper, goes down like a dream, sleeps through the night and wakes refreshed and in a wonderful mood and then one of three things can happen.
TEETHING
ILLNESS
TRAVEL
So many families wonderful sleep habits end when they experience one of the above.

How can we make sure that teething, illness or travel doesn't ruin our child's wonderful sleep habits? You're going to be up during the night with your child when they are teething or have an illness. Give them the extra attention they need. I always find it easier to deal with if I'm prepared to be up all night. That way even if I only manage to get a couple of hours sleep, it's more than I thought I'd get.

I wouldn't expect your child to be able to get back to old sleep habits whilst they are still feeling unwell. As soon as they are feeling better you want to start getting back on track. The longer you take to get back on track the longer it will take you to get back to where you started.

If you have already sleep trained your child, I would use the same technique you originally used to get back on track. It won't take you as long as it did the first time (maybe just a night or two) but you know what you're doing and are confident that the technique works for your family. Be aware that some techniques do alter the older your child gets.

If you haven't sleep trained your child, decide on an approach you and your partner are comfortable with. Are you going to sit with your child until they fall asleep? Are you going to lay them down if the stand up? Decide your plan of action well before bedtime starts. Make sure both you and your partner fully understand what you are doing and most importantly once you have started don't give in. Be prepared to see it through.

I promise you that putting the effort into getting back on track as soon as possible is well worth it, even if you are feeling tired. The sooner you all be getting good nights sleep again.