How to manage with not enough sleep

[kingfix]

Along with almost all other parents of small children, I guess, I just don't get enough sleep.

I'm 12 weeks pg and have 15mo, who wakes occasionally in the night and always early in the morning and a 4yo who wakes with the odd nightmare/bedwetting/lost teddy.

All this is completely to be expected but I am utterly shattered. I have done what I can to help the children sleep, cut back on non vital activities and go to bed as soon as possible.

But I'm still so tired I have become forgetful, very short-tempered and don't feel safe to drive.

So how does everyone manage? Coffee? Catnaps? (When?) Exercise ?

It's so hard being pg with little ones. I find I have to catch naps throughout the day when I can (when at home). I have a 2.8yo and a 16mo, and I'm currently 30 wks pg. Have been more than exhausted in recent wks, and have even been napping on the sofa whilst they play around me in the afternoon. Also if you have a dp try and catch up on sleep when dp is off work. My dh has been getting up with our dc on the weekends AND I've been having an afternoon nap !! I found it easier once have newborn and toddler TBH!

Its just survival. Anything that works, grab it. Go to bed as soon as you can, even if that means no time to yourself, and know that it won't always be like this.
Try not to eat too much chocolate.

That'lldo, how did you know about the chocolate?

DH is tired too - he gets up early with ds. I'm even considering getting a babysitter for a few hours one weekend to take the children out so we can both sleep.

zzz

Babysitter fab idea, I meant to say that too, any offers of help for a couple of hours you should just grab, and don't worry about housework. Just accept that the house will be a mess for a few years. As long as everyone is fed and it is relatively hygenic nothing else matters.
The chocolate is my self medication too! Could be worse!

we have a local community leisure centre that has a creche that does 2 hour sessions, during my most sleep deprived, I used to put the dc's in there then find a quiet sofa and close my eyes!

Hang in there it does get better although I am not pregnant with dc3!

Does your 4 year old go to nursery? are you able to put your 15 month old in nursery a couple mornings a week or 1 day a week so you can catch up on sleep?

Back to my most sleep deprived time, I also signed up for emergency nursery cover at a local private nursery, I didn't want to commit to weekly care, but needed the emergency cover (my dh travels a lot). It was a lifeline!

I know you shudder at the thought of exercise but at my most sleep deprived I always feel better if I've been out, even just a stroll to the park to feed the ducks does it. I like to think of it as fresh air, rather than exercise . It seems to improve the quality of the sleep I do get. Hope you feel better soon.

thanks for all this advice. Just found out I'm expecting twins which may be adding to the exhaustion!

My goodness, congratulations! :)

WOW! No wonder you are knackered! Congratulations! Take really good care of yourself, I'm sure you'll find some good support and ideas on here about life with twins.

Wowee!! Congratulations