Please help. I have a 6month old and a 3year old. Baby is EBF and wakes 3-4 times a night, older child wakes up on occasion too. Fine. That’s normal.
What’s not normal is my crippling insomnia. I’ve suffered on and off for years but bow the combo of hormones, anticipating the next wake up and being anxious about insomnia means I’m awake for HOURS. Last night for example I went to bed, knackered, at 10pm. It was about 2am when I finally dropped off then of course was woken three times by baby.
I try not to stress as that makes it worse but after weeks of this mental battle last night I felt incredibly panicky at the prospect of no sleep. I’m amazed I eventually fell asleep.
I’ve tried:
No phones after 8pm
Limited caffeine and none after midday
Headspace app
Breathing exercises
Counting exercises
Magnesium tablets
Earplugs
White noise
Antihistamines
When truly desperate, night nurse (doesn’t work)
Lying with eyes closed and resting (not the same!!)
Glass of wine before bed
Baby will not take a bottle so trying for a night elsewhere not an option.
Does anyone have any tips or words of comfort? It’s really stressing me out. I’m so exhausted I find it hard to find any joy in my kids. Every day I just count down to bed time and then lie awake for hours anyway.