Baby is asleep, I am wide awake, aarrrrrgggghh!!

[fibrecruncher]

Soooo frustrating. DS has been sound asleep for over an hour and Ijust can't get to sleep. Doesn't help that DH is snoring beside me :) But my mind is just racing. What do you do to get to sleep? I've tried focusing on relaxing and breathing but its not working. Hopefully I'll get some sleep before he wakes up.

[AlwaysChasingRainbows]

Count sheep or keep reading threads until you nod off

[runningonwillpower]

Here's what works for me.

I promise myself that if I'm still awake in 20 minutes, I'll get up and do all the ironing.

Works every time.

[CreatureRetorts]

Lol at the ironing promise.

Turn your phone off!!!!

[BotBotticelli]

How old is your LO? One of the first signs I was struggling with post natal anxiety (and later, depression), was that I couldn;t switch my brain off to sleep when newborn DS slept....so even if he did have a 2 hour block of sleep in the night (a rarity!) I lay there awake getting more and more stressed about when he would next wake up :(

I am not saying this is what's happening to you too, but just wondered if it sounded at how you're feeling? If it is, make an appot to speak to your HV tomorrow, they should be able to refer you for some support (I had CBT counselling for my anxiety)...I think the fact I couldnt sleep even when DS was sleeping was a real red flag for my HV...

[Petcat]

I've found applying some of the techniques intended for the baby actually helped me get to sleep too. White noise really helps me go to sleep - I'm now addicted to DD's dream sheep and use it every night! It also helps me settle myself back to sleep after being woken up for the millionth time during the night.

Likewise, having no bright lights on. Don't be tempted to read, look at mn on your phone, or do anything that activates your brain.

I also try a nice cup of warm milk or chamomile tea, or the Pukka night time tea helps a bit. Failing that, a glass of wine in a warm bath often does the trick.

[MummyKanny]

Amen to the dream sheep! This happened to me the other night - my 14 week old DD woke for a feed at around 4:45. She was fast asleep by 5:15 but I was wide awake, mind racing about the stupidest of things. Managed to drop off about ten minutes before DD was up for the day

[fibrecruncher]

thanks ops. And BotBotticelli, sorry to hear about your experience that sounds tough - I think I am ok, I spose I have often had trouble with sleep - I am quite a light sleeper anyway so small noises wake me up or keep me awake :)

[Liveinthepresent]

I am struggling with this at the moment too - can get DS back to sleep in about 10 minutes then I am awake the next time he wakes a couple of hours later - beyond exhausted!
Am also quite liking Ewan the dream sheep!

[nosleeptillbedtime]

I got my childhood bear off the shelf as a sleep aid. It helped!