Tips for sleeping when they sleep

[EssexWelsh]

My 8 day old is actually a really good sleeper at night and will go down for a full 3 hours between feeds, but my problem is getting to sleep at the same time, I am totally wired and get more stressed out thinking I should be sleeping now and before I know it his next feed is due-grrrr! Any tips for sleeping when they do?

[atrcts]

Maybe a relaxation recording - loads of hypnosis/relaxation stuff available as app or online.

Even if you lay with your eyes closed you are resting as much of your body as you can, which is better than nothing.

How about a warm milky chocolate drink or hot bath? Or another way to try and relax and unwind a bit more.

Might help to examine why you're so wound up - is it anxiety over the baby needing something while you sleep? (etc).

If all else fails you might find it easier to get someone to take baby off your hands for an hour (right after a feed) - I always slept better when mine was taken completely away for a short while

[CassieTheCockatoo]

Don't MN

Seriously I have the same problem (should be sleeping now). Sometimes I try sleeping first and only if I can't sleep looking at my ipad. I also use an eye mask which helps. And I go straight to bed once I put DC down (no housework etc -that can all wait until next year ). I find it tough though.

[EssexWelsh]

Thanks for those tips, we are back up for next feed of the night, tried getting off iPhone but alas no sleep! Think problem is DP took baby after feed earlier so I slept from 9.30 to 12.30 so not exhausted enough to just drop off. If I can't sleep often get stressed out about how tired I will be then its a self fulfilling prophecy! Wish me luck after this feed!

[Gigondas]

A pzizz app best thing I found- the energiser one more effective than the proper sleep one. Or a sound pillow with speaker In to lion I music.

[Loislane78]

Trust me, you won't feel like that soon :). It's all v exciting and new at the moment and how you feel is normal I would say. Lack of sleep compounds up though. Due to both a good sleeper (initially) and the adrenalin, I honestly didn't feel that tired until 4 mo. Baby sleep patterns change all the time, now at 8 mo I feel fairly tired and can drop of instantly after a night feed.

Just try and rest even if not asleep as the other posters have said.

Congrats on your LO :)

[Loislane78]

*off

[babySophieRose]

You just get used to it, it may take a couple of weeks, but you will sleep because you are tied.

[BadTemperedLadybird]

I was exactly the same, I found it really hard to switch off and sleep. As others have said, after a few weeks I found it much easier to relax and drop off.

Enjoy your lovely new baby

[babybythesea]

Maybe try an audiobook? Something you know fairly well, possibly (stop you from staying awake to hear what happens next!).
I listen to a lot of audiobooks, especially when I can't sleep.
I find that listening to it takes my mind off the fact that I'm not asleep and should be, so I don't fret so much, which relaxes me, and more often than not I doze off. Even when I think I haven't been to sleep I often find I have because I've missed a chunk of the story.

[EssexWelsh]

Thanks for the advice, I have downloaded the pzizz app and good tip about audio book of a known story, sounds stupid but had never thought of that as I don't fall asleep as am intrigued! So far so good tonight, had 2 naps I think as I was so tired from last night!

[stowsettler]

I second the audiobook - or radio comedies. I'm almost guaranteed to fall asleep before I find out what happens!

[Katisha]

To be honest I found "sleep when they sleep" to be a complete fantasy. Don't beat yourself up about it.

[AliceWChild]

Radio is good. Needs to be talking for me ie R4. Afternoon play always sends me to sleep.

Other thing I use if mind is racing is to think about what it would be like to be asleep. What would your body feel like, breathing be like etc. Works for me.

[valiumredhead]

I always found a hot water bottle and a book helped my doze, very relaxing and helped me nod off.