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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Coffee before bed

79 replies

Incognitomum11 · 18/05/2022 22:26

Ok, lighthearted but I’m suddenly curious.

since my teens (50 now) I’ve had coffee all day up until bedtime, often just before sleep to chill…
recently I got to talking with friends and several wondered if I have ADHD because caffeine isn’t meant to relax you…

I always assumed the “I can’t drink coffee after such and such time or I can’t sleep” were hugely exaggerated and a bit silly but maybe I’m the weird one…?

I guess I’m wondering if this is your reality as well rather than wether I should or shouldn’t have coffee before bed. 😉

OP posts:

goodnamegonebad · 18/05/2022 22:36

I'm the same, always have a coffee right before bed - I miss it if I don't!

SheWoreYellow · 18/05/2022 22:38

I can’t sleep if I have caffeine after about 3pm.
It’s definitely not just me imagining it as once I took Anadin extra, and really couldn’t sleep. Really oddly. And then by about 3am I looked at the pack and saw they had caffeine in.

SaltedCaramelIcedLatte · 18/05/2022 22:41

I can't drink coffee after 1pm or I won't sleep

Noodledoodledoo · 18/05/2022 22:42

Has zero effect on me as well, I always have a coffee after dinner when out when every one is opting for decaf, DH won't eat chocolate after 9pm due to it keeping him awake! If you are odd I am as well!

easyday · 18/05/2022 22:42

Caffeine doesn't bother me either and I certainly do not have adhd. If you enjoy it and it doesn't affect your sleep then carry on.

user1473878824 · 18/05/2022 22:43

The most old I’ve ever felt is realising that I cannot have caffeine after 4pm because it does make a difference. DP can drink a can of Diet Coke before bed and I’m both horrified and feel like a loser who can no longer drink an espresso martini at 2am unless I want to feel like I’m on cheap speed.

seensome · 18/05/2022 22:44

Coffee has never affected my sleep, it doesn't particularly perk me up in the morning either, caffeine doesn't seem to have much affect on me.

teablanket · 18/05/2022 22:44

I'm the same OP, I love a nice cup of coffee just before bed.

The only time coffee has ever kept me awake was when I mindlessly chomped my way through a bag of chocolate covered coffee beans, but that might have been because I felt terribly unwell rather than a caffeine-induced alertness. 😅

Bryonny84 · 18/05/2022 22:44

I have never slept well so whatever I have to drink is irrelevant. I will say that coffee never makes me "buzz" like some people say, it's just a drink. Different people will react differently so go with what suits.

Hardtofindafreename · 18/05/2022 22:45

dh will drink coffee right up to bedtime and then sleep through the night. I think he must be immune to it by now.

Hawkins001 · 18/05/2022 22:50

Incognitomum11 · 18/05/2022 22:26

Ok, lighthearted but I’m suddenly curious.

I always assumed the “I can’t drink coffee after such and such time or I can’t sleep” were hugely exaggerated and a bit silly but maybe I’m the weird one…?

I guess I’m wondering if this is your reality as well rather than wether I should or shouldn’t have coffee before bed. 😉

I usually have a cuppa just before bed, it's part habit and part nice too. I've usually always had a cuppa, same with mornings, try to get a cuppa before rushing off.

Hawkins001 · 18/05/2022 22:50

If I'm tired, my body will sleep with or without a caffeine boost.

SwelegantParty · 18/05/2022 22:52

I love a cup of coffee before bed, it never affects my sleep. But it has to be instant (Douwe Egberts for choice), proper coffee would keep me awake I'm sure.

stilldumdedumming · 18/05/2022 22:54

What's the ADJD link. I can have a coffee at bed time no problem- but it can make me a bit gurgly. Ds has a special 'sleepy' coffee - about 3 times stronger than normal . I am fairly certain he has adhd. Hence why I ask.

MarmiteCoriander · 18/05/2022 22:55

I can't drink any caffeine after noon, otherwise I don't sleep! DH can have coffee before bed- but he has sleep apnoea and literally sleeps within seconds of lying down.

MinglingFlamingo · 18/05/2022 22:57

I have found my people. I'm another one who always has a coffee before bed. Everyone thinks I'm weird for doing it. But I find I sleep worse if I don't have coffee. Like the bedtime routine isn't complete or something

Spitescreen · 18/05/2022 22:59

A friend who will happily quaff coffee at midnight claims there’s a generic component — I adore coffee, but can’t drink it after about lunchtime. I do sleep badly regardless.

Ragwort · 18/05/2022 23:00

Zero effect on me, have always had an 'after dinner coffee' (strong, ground coffee) every night of my life ... am over 60 ... and my DM still does the same (90!).

oioimatey · 18/05/2022 23:01

I'm fine if I have a coffee in the evening.

Lady week I had six coffees before 1pm and I definitely felt that, but I still slept at night

chipsandpeas · 18/05/2022 23:02

as ive got older caffine late on affects me so i cant sleep, normally i cant have caffine after 2pm otherwise no sleep

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 18/05/2022 23:05

If I can’t sleep I have an instant coffee. But proper coffee keeps me awake. Bizarre.

ancientgran · 18/05/2022 23:05

I'm so happy to read this. I've never understood the coffee stops me sleeping or coffee makes me buzz. Just feels like any drink to me. I've always thought I must be a bit odd but now I know I'm not alone.

dementedpixie · 18/05/2022 23:09

I dont have tea before bed but not because of the caffeine; it would make me pee all night though

HoobleDooble · 18/05/2022 23:10

The only effect it has on me is it makes me wee more, so I suppose it does stop me sleeping as I'm up and down to the loo. I can't have anything cold, fizzy or containing caffeine after about 7pm or I might as well sleep sitting on the toilet.

DeanStockwelllsBunny · 18/05/2022 23:18

Coffee has no effect on me at all .

I can drink it when I want .
Sometimes I wish it did affect me if I needed a pick me up I could have a cup of coffee and feel a bit more energised

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