Being unwell when you have a baby is so tough

When your baby is unwell it's the worst feeling; you would do anything to take away their pain. But what happens when you're ill and you still have a tiny person relying on you to take care of them?

The first time it happened my daughter was only a few months old and my partner was working away which was really tough. When you're ill you want to be selfish and sleep and feel sorry for yourself, but when you’re a mother that’s not really an option.

My first thought was, "will I make my baby ill?". I could hardly stay away from her especially because I was breastfeeding. I couldn’t sleep all day like I would have done before I had a baby. But I lived another day and I am definitely tougher for it!

I have recently just had a horrible sickness bug which was exhausting. My daughter is a very active 15 month old so there is only so long she will sit quietly with a book or a cartoon before she is trying to climb the kitchen table or pull every single book off the book shelf.

I have to laugh when I’m throwing my guts up and she is mimicking me but I also wonder, "how are we going to get through today when I feel like this?" All my plans for fun toddler-tiring activities are out the window. I try my best to play enthusiastically but when I am running to the bathroom every 20 minutes she isn’t best pleased with me.

The house looks like a bomb has gone off and I have given up attempting to tidy up after her. All the things I would usually stop her doing, like putting the dog's food into his water bowl, jumping in the water bowl, and emptying the water bowl onto the dog's head, I don’t have the energy to say no to.

My advice would be don’t stress about keeping the house in order, and get as much rest as you possibly can, even if that means lying on the floor whilst your baby climbs on you. Try and have a bath or shower if you feel up to it because it will make you feel more human, even if that means sharing the tub with a splashing toddler.

Being unwell when you're a mother isn’t much fun but you can do it!

Me feeling sorry for myself and hoping my daughter naps well today!

Blythe enjoying her favourite game of putting our dog's kibble into his water bowl!

The game always ends with splashing in the dog's bowl or the 'puddle' as she likes to call it. On days when I am feeling unwell I tend to let her do it. Parent fail, but I don't have the energy to argue with a very persistent toddler.

Reading books in the shower is a great form of entertainment when mummy is unwell.

Blythe having a lie down in a restaurant. When I am ill I can't face taking her to public places I don't have the energy for toddler chasing!

I usually like to tire her out with trips to the park but on days when I am ill these just aren't possible.

Blythe and I when we are both fit and well!

On a recent trip to Hounslow urban farm, happy to be feeling better after a horrible sickness bug.

No sickness bugs here.

Love Mallory x

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