Bouts of insomnia since becoming a mum

[SuperDuperTrooper]

It's driving me nuts! My 17 month old DS sleeps beautifully yet I can't! I have spells where I just can't fall asleep and after much anxiety, tears and other more rational efforts to get to sleep, I might manage to get some that night. I don't function well at all and get really ratty if I don't get enough sleep. It's not good for me or my little guy.

I used to sleep like a log before becoming a mum. Its hugely frustrating! Sometimes i dread bedtime despite being exhausted. Anyone else had this problem and what did you do to try and overcome it?

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

amongst other things yes, my two sleep beautifully at night (DD's many night feeds are always done while she sleeps as long as I get there quick enough) but I take ages to get to sleep, wake frequently and take ages to get back to sleep (usually worrying about a ton of things) and wake in the morning feeling like a zombie. I've always suffered with insomnia on and off but it's much worse since having DC.

I haven't overcome it unfortunately but what has been helping me drift off a little quicker is mindful breathing. I don't think that's the intention but it has worked for me to just gently acknowledge thoughts/worries and then push them aside. there's some good info here

[SpooMoo]

I sometimes have this and it's symptom of my depression. I find I have to stop worrying about not getting to sleep as it causes more anxiety, just like you say. Just accept you feel wide awake and the best you can do is rest.

[SpooMoo]

And I accept I might feel tired the next day but I have survived before with no sleep and the next night hopefully I should sleep again.

[3Caramel]

Yes, me too! So frustrating, and you have my sympathy. But I think like with everything our DCs, you just have to put it down to being "a phase" i.e. it won't last forever. And hope that you'll get back to better sleep & feeling more like yourself sometime in the future.

In the meantime, hang in there! Try all the normal tricks like hot milky drink before bed, not eating too close to bed time, reading before bed, taking a bath etc. But I must admit that they aren't working for me at the moment...

I think it's definitely a Mum thing! Having a million things to worry about & take care of 24/7 means it's hard to switch off.

Good luck and let me know if you find any wonder cures!

[3Caramel]

p.s. Love the "Mindfulness" website NiceCupofTea!

[SuperDuperTrooper]

I love the mindfulness website too!

Thanks for that and all others thoughts. I wonder whether my insomnia is a symptom of pnd but, for now at least, I'm not convinced things are bad enough to warrant medication. I am trying to find my own way through these things but I'm really struggling with this insomnia as sleep deprivation is just awful!