To beg for any sleeping in the day after a night shift tips?

[AtYourCervix]

I am desperate /(desparate? Desprate? Desperete?) at the end of my long and elastic tether and exhausted. I have no problem going to sleep. Just wide awake after about 2 hours the doze a bit for a couple more.

3 hours isn't enough. Help!

[elspethmcgillicuddy]

Piriton. I don't know if it is a placebo thing or I'm just a lightweight but one sends me straight off.

[Addictedtocustardcreams]

Its not easy! Wierdly I think I got better with practice. Agree with eyemasks/blackout plus ear plugs. I also unplugged phone & doorbell. Plus I think anytime out of winter its easy to get too hot so a low fan on. I agree with eating pre-bed & used to find porridge very easy to eat & didn't upset my guts as always found nights played havoc with my digestive system (I have since found this is quite common).

[AtYourCervix]

DD has melatonin. How terrible would it be to have a swig tomorrow?

Although tomorrow i have to stay up and get her to an appoinyment so won't be in bed until 11 at the earliest. Think i'll probably die.

[wheresthelight]

Make sure you off load anything that is winding you up/bbugging you!! My dp works nights and always has a crap sleep if I haven't been in/woken up when he gets in for a rant

[frignorant]

I always have something to eat before going to bed so that hunger pangs don't wake me up. I then take a Nytol, use black out blinds and then I sleep with my head between 2 pillows as ear plugs annoy me. I still have interupted sleep but the Nytol ensures I go off again fairly quickly.

[SquinkiesRule]

I'm my third night tonight after 20 years of days. I was dreading it, but so far so good. I get in at 8.30 eat some porridge, shower, take a diphenhydramine as I get stuffy and it knocks me out and go to bed using ear plugs. I sleep about 7 hours, with one trip to the loo about 2pm with my eyes still closed.
I didn't hear all the neighbor kids playing outside, or Dd playing downstairs, or even rear neighbors toddler have a ear splitting tantrum not far from my window.
Switching back to days my be my problem tomorrow.

[middleagedspread]

You poor thing, I feel for you.
I used to do nights; off to sleep at 9am wide awake at midday starving hungry & desperate for a wee. Ear plugs (blue wax from Boots) black out binds & a big breakfast helped but I never really sorted it though. Just remember you can & will catch up eventually.
Someone I know used Melatonin but my GP wouldn't prescribe it.

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow]

Properly made to measure ear plugs from David Ormerod Hearing Centre. They cost £100 but they are so comfy you don't know your wearing them. Musicians use them - and me when I've done a night shift.

They seriously block out noise. You could have someone drilling in the same room and not hear them with these babies in. I know £100 seems expensive but you need good quality sleep and you will get it with these. Noise will get worse soon with all the lawnmowers, strimmers and bbqs outside.

And blackout blinds.

[Actifizz]

I feel your pain. My inability to sleep on nights means that I've had to negotiate working a maximum of 2 nights at a time. Even then I manage 3 hours sleep max.

[yellowdinosauragain]

I take nytol when I get in. It doesn't stop the waking up after a couple of hours but it does mean I can get to sleep again. The downside is being a bit groggy when I get up but I'm fine by the time I have to go to work again.

I also take it after my last night shift to get back into sleeping at night.

[Plomino]

Definitely blackout blinds work.

Is there anyone else at home during the day ? I found I actually sleep better when there is , because I know I'm not going to get disturbed by every last bugger who wants to knock on my door. That and a most attractive eye mask works for me, at least till the dog shoulders her way through the bedroom door and gradually crawls her way up the bed .

[AtYourCervix]

Staying asleep is my problem.

[AtYourCervix]

I get home at 8.30ish. Talk to the dog a bit. In bed by 9 ish. Read a bit and pop off to sleep nice and quickly.
Eat at some point between 2 and 6ish.

Ear plugs irritate my ears. Could do with black out blinds i thik

[Cailleach]

White noise generators are great for blocking out background noise. I use an air ioniser, which generates a low whirring sound that cancels out everything else.

[ThisFenceIsComfy]

No food before sleep

Blackout blinds - these are a must to trick your body a bit

[FidelineandFumblin]

Blackout blinds, earplugs, 'sunrise' type alarm clock/light, anti-histamine such as sominex, no phones!

I sympathise, it's a nightmare.

[ScotchBonnet1985]

I use earplugs and eye mask - couldn't sleep without them!

[Humansatnav]

I used to go for a swim to totally knacker myself, plus blackout blinds and ear plugs.

[JethroTull]

When do you eat? And what? When I worked nights, I found eating after my shift finished disturbed my sleep. I'd finish at 7am, come home & get straight into bed.

[Humansatnav]

What's waking you up ?