I keep waking up at four a.m. and only getting to sleep at one a.m.

[Fairyfly]

Any tips to combat this ridiculous phase?

No idea. For some reason when DS was newborn, I would be up at least 8 times a night with him, but between 3-6 (when he got his best sleep) I would be wide awake. I feel for you. I know exactly what you mean. Hopefully someone else knows how to beat it.

Thanks Colinsmommy, i haven't even got the excuse of awake kids, perhaps i should look after someones baby while i'm like this. Why are you awake?

Fairyfly I would start taking something to help you sleep, even if it's just until you get back into some kind of a regular pattern again.

I'm going to sound like a druggie here , but I've gone through phases of sleeplessness over the years and I'll tell you what's helped me. There's an antidepressant called Endep or Tryptanol, which can be used intermittently as a sleep aid (several doctors have told me this). It helps you to fall asleep and to sleep right through the night, although you can get a slight hangover effect the next day (I found this to be much more preferable to the hangover you get from lack of sleep). I've also found Phenergan really helpful - 10 mg is enough for me and seems to work every time.

The last one is Zambien or Stillnox, which is an actual sleeping tablet, but doesn't have any hangover effect and is supposed to be non-addictive. DH has also taken these at times 'cos he can be a bit of an insomniac. I find that half a tablet is enough for me, which makes the pack last longer.

As I said I've tried all these medications over a matter of years and none of them have become a habit, I've only taken them as I've needed them. I think that temporarily using something to help break a bad sleep habit, is much better than going on for weeks without enough sleep. Best of luck.

Thanks Nic, could you tell me if you still wake up with ease if need be, i don't want to be drowsy if my kids wake uo, or i hear noises etc.... thanks

Hi Fairlfly,
I took an anti-histamine sleeping tablet. Worked really really well, and no problems with thinking you are on serious drugs IYSWIM.
I'm afraid I can't remeber exactly what it was called; somilex or something. Ask your chemist, they helped me when I couldn't sleep. That was the same week that my DS started sleeping through, weirdly. I think I was just programmed to keep waking up.

Fairyfly I've never been so drowsy that I've had trouble waking up, probably because I've only ever taken small amounts. I've still managed to hear ds on the monitor during the night, so I can get up to him if need be, and then go back to sleep again. It just enables you to be sleepy enough that you can fall back to sleep again quite easily. I think you can get Endep in 10 mg & 25 mg - 10 mg would probably be enough, but you could always take a bit more if you needed to. Antihistamines are effective but are also well-known to cause a hangover effect the next day, which is why I only ever take small amounts. It's just a bit of trial & error to see what works for you.

Slightly different approach but.... I frequently have trouble either sleeping or waking up in the night. Usually work stress is at the root of it. I'm sure you all know the feeling, mind just going round and round.

By my bed I have a little personal radio wth small earphones. When I can't sleep I plug myself in to Radio 4 or London Talkback. I find the shipping report and endless mindless witterings of talkback incredibly sporific. When I realise I've not been following the conversation, I turn off.

It's a drug free remedy to try.