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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you can train yourself to need less sleep?

17 replies

ForestNymph · 16/12/2020 17:22

Yeah, that. I feel exhausted if I don't get 9 to 10 hours. I never get 9 to 10 hours. If I could teach myself to do okay on less, that would be great. If anyone has done this, please give me tips.

OP posts:
bluebeck · 16/12/2020 17:25

What is stopping you from getting the amount of sleep your body needs? Do you have sleep disrupted by babies? What is your usual routine?

Original poster
ForestNymph · 16/12/2020 17:29

@bluebeck

What is stopping you from getting the amount of sleep your body needs? Do you have sleep disrupted by babies? What is your usual routine?
Kids that don't sleep well. Namely twins, they wake each other and sleep combined for about 3 hours. My older child also has night terrors and so climbs in with me half way through. Even on a "good" night they don't sleep all the way through.

The odd night I don't have the kids (maybe about 3 times a year) I sleep at 8.30 until about 9 the next day. I obviously can't do that normally

OP posts:
Littlewhitedove2 · 16/12/2020 17:31

How old are your twins op? Clearly you are not getting 8 or 9 hours sleep. You might be in bed for that amount of time, but every time it’s broken by having to wake to see to kids your sleep cycle needs to start again. You need at least 4-5 hours of totally unbroken sleep per night or you will feel exhausted

Original poster
ForestNymph · 16/12/2020 17:33

@Littlewhitedove2

How old are your twins op? Clearly you are not getting 8 or 9 hours sleep. You might be in bed for that amount of time, but every time it’s broken by having to wake to see to kids your sleep cycle needs to start again. You need at least 4-5 hours of totally unbroken sleep per night or you will feel exhausted
  1. Thats one issue, its broken and I'm always "listening", like you would for a newborn, because not only do they wake, they often destroy their bedroom and climb all over stuff

Even prior to kids though I still struggle with less than 9 hours

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/12/2020 17:44

Some people need 9 hours. Anything between 7 and 9. I wish l could teach myself to sleep less too.

SapphosRock · 16/12/2020 18:28

I think you can come to a place of acceptance. I usually get 5-6 hours and function. I need 7 to feel properly rested.

For me 9 hours is way too much and if by some miracle I had that much sleep I'd feel sluggish all day.

Littlewhitedove2 · 16/12/2020 19:16

I’ve got twins and an older one too. The twins were still in their cot beds with the sides up at 2 and they weren’t big enough to get out yet. Are yours in beds then?

middleager · 16/12/2020 19:28

I've got twins and it was they who dragged me from 8 hours' sleep to 5 - 6 hrs and its stayed this way for 14 years. You get used to it.

museumum · 16/12/2020 19:41

I don’t think it’s a good idea. I used to sleep 9 hours but now with kids I haven’t for about seven years and I’m “ok” but not great, always tired, headaches, gaining weight, burned out.

jgjgjgjgjg · 16/12/2020 19:55

Have you consulted a sleep specialist for the twins? Not one that believes in cry it out or anything similar obviously. But you can't go on as you are.

Metalhead · 16/12/2020 20:01

Apparently you need less sleep as you get older. I’m still waiting... Hmm

andawaywego · 16/12/2020 20:07

Apparently you naturally need less sleep as you get older. But it does suck to have to get through the day without feeling properly rested. My DD was a terrible sleeper up until recently, and I'm still in the habit of being half-awake listening to her. I'm not sure my sleep will ever get back to normal.

I've tried to get more energy during the day by taking iron and B12 supplements (the Feroglobin ones) and they've helped a little. Also, cutting down caffeine, as that just made me feel hyper, so I couldn't get as much done while tired.

andawaywego · 16/12/2020 20:07

Ha, cross posted with Metalhead. Great minds...

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/12/2020 20:21

Me too. And I’m old

Original poster
ForestNymph · 16/12/2020 21:31

@Littlewhitedove2

I’ve got twins and an older one too. The twins were still in their cot beds with the sides up at 2 and they weren’t big enough to get out yet. Are yours in beds then?
Yes, unfortunately they are very adept at climbing otherwise I wouldn't have taken them out. Escaped at 16 months.
OP posts:
Original poster
ForestNymph · 16/12/2020 21:32

@jgjgjgjgjg

Have you consulted a sleep specialist for the twins? Not one that believes in cry it out or anything similar obviously. But you can't go on as you are.
Theyre waiting for a pediatrician assessment partly because of this.
OP posts:
WinterGarden633 · 16/12/2020 21:47

Shift worker here! Off nights I can do with 4/5 hours.
When I first started my job I was absolutely KNACKERED and it took a while, but I’ve got myself into a routine where if I’ve had a disturbed night, I make sure I wind down properly the next day for bed.
Ie; little to no television/ phone before bed.
Hot shower, nice pyjamas, good book.
I get off to sleep quicker and find myself more rested for it.

However all this is likely to change very soon as I am due my first baby in a couple of weeks. Different kettle of fish with babies! Same sort of principles will be applied though for me, hoping for some sort of routine relatively quickly

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