What can I buy my DM who can’t sleep anymore

[J333gr]

She can fall asleep very quickly but then wakes after an hour or so and doesn’t really sleep for the rest of the night. She uses lavender stuff and medication apps podcasts musics etc but nothing seems to work. I’d like to buy her a nice gift set that would help

There are other essential oils that might help, but do check in case there are any contraindications - things like chamomile or geranium or jasmine in an electric diffuser or a few drops in a bath before she goes to bed, for instance. Have a look at sites like Neal's Yard and Holland and Barrett for suggested blends. Depends on her age too - I used to be able to sleep for Britain, but as I've got older my sleeping patterns have changed and I sometimes have nights like this. And it might be worth just checking with the GP, maybe when things are a bit less chaotic?

A weighted blanket?

I listen to story cd's and find they help me to relax and drop off. I think they must be reminiscent of my parents reading to me as a child. Hope this works for her.

Melatonin tablets from the internet. You can only get them on prescription in the the UK but I buy them online fine

Weighted blanket and the This Works Pillow Spray! These two together have literally changed my life x

www.herbalhealth.org.uk/product/relax-for-people/

Can't hurt to try this. My daughter has just started trying it and a friend swears by it. It smells lovely.

Memory foam matress topper or similar?

Eye mask - cooling or heated - they can be very relaxing

I have thought about a weighted blanket before, but such a lot of money to spend if it doesn’t work @TrevorWithTheWeather @Offredismysister have you tried them?
Thank you everyone for the links and suggestions! X

@HemlockStarglimmer that looks good. Do
You know if it smells like coconut?

@Amammi

Eye mask - cooling or heated - they can be very relaxing

This. Try spacemasks, they are relatively pricey but I use one a couple of times a week just before bed and it's sorted my sleep out beautifully. I have no idea why something that makes your eyes slightly sweaty would relax you, but it does!

An alternative to a weighted blanket might be an old fashioned quilt?
They are quite heavy and I find them very comforting as I slept under blankets and a quilt as a child in my grandmother's.
Your DM may also have the same association with childhood security?

Magnesium oil sleep spray can be helpful and valerian drops that you can pick up from the health food shop. How old is your mum btw? Is this a new thing for her?

My DH has insomnia & I got him one for Xmas. Mela do a 30 day money back guarantee. I did return it as it was too small & got my money back no problems. I got the size I needed a month later. You must keep the original box & packaging for returns.

I bought myself an electric heat pad for an aching back, but I find it really good for helping me get back to sleep when I wake at night. It was about £20 on Amazon.

Melatonin. You can get it from various places online but some have stopped shipping to the U.K. Amazon.com will ship it though.

This works sleep plus pillow spray. The “plus” bit makes the difference: it’s micro capsules that release more oils when she starts to stir. My DH was like your DM, but sleeps 6-11 hours with this. Previous pillow sprays etc just helped him get to sleep but he woke after an hour or so.

Melatonin prescription. It’s called Cicardian and it’s slow release.

A cuddly toy

I used some online self hypnosis relaxation audio. Didn't cost anything tbh. The isleep easy app has a free version too. Would she try something like that?
Aldi regularly stock weighted blankets at reasonable price btw

I’m not sure how she’d feel about the melatonin, does it get addictive?
I’m on the this works website - so many goodies! Think I will get her a selection from here.

No it’s not addictive at all. It’s nothing like sleeping pills. As people age, they lose melatonin receptors. This is why older people struggle with sleep, as melatonin regulates the circadian rhythms. It’s kind of like sleep HRT! It’s only available to over 55’s.

It’s helped me enormously, whereas stuff like lavender, maagnesium, apps etc have just been an expensive waste of money.

And it’s slow release so it works all night.

Anti histamines that make you drowsy might help. Also valerian does work. Is she on any medication that might be affecting her sleep? Worth checking with her GP if that could be a side effect and there's usually an alternative that can tried instead.

What about her caffeine intake? She might find it helpful to reduce her caffeine intake - rooibos tea can be drunk with milk and is about the best alternative to tea I've found, plus decaff coffee is much better now than it used to be.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow thanks I will definitely mention this to her!