Afternoon "dip"

[mermaid101]

I posted on here a few weeks ago about feeling completely exhausted by looking after my 9 month old DD. People suggested I might have a vitamin deficiency and I think this was the case. Having sorted this out, I think i am back to just being "normally" tired.

However, I still find that by about 3/4 pm I feel really tired. By the time my DD is in bed by about 7pm I have recovered a bit. My Mum says this is normal, and most people who have young children find this the hardest part of the day.

Do other people find this and if so, what do you do to combat it?

Thanks

I combat it by sleeping on the sofa in the middle of the day :)

Ha! Good shout Meg.

She does sleep for about 1-1.5 hours after lunch. I usually try to get housework done, but I think I might give your idea a shot. I sometimes feel worse after a sleep, but maybe even a lie down will help.

Once I returned to work when my DD was 13 months I realised it was going to be an investment for us to get a cleaner. I work M - W so am home with DD on my own 2 days I week. I felt a slump pre dinner as I had been rushing around when she was napping, trying to clean the house. Now, I can do some cooking (which I enjoy) and relax for 30 mins or so. Lovely. I highly recommend it!

I would definitely prioritise sleep over housework, leave it til the weekend/have a quick blitz in the evening before bed, or get a few bits done while DD is awake if she is happy to sit in a bouncy chair/go in a sling/sit in front of In The Night Garden for 20 mins. Then when she goes for her nap, curl up too but set an alarm to give you time to have a cup of tea and revive yourself before she wakes up.

My 'baby' is 3.2 and I still often fall asleep on the sofa while he has his afternoon nap :)

It is for this reason that I will never allow either of my DCs to give up their afternoon nap. Ever. No way of coping post 3pm otherwise.

Happens to me too, not just now I am SAHM, used to happen in the office too, that could be sorted by a 2 min cat nap in the loos! Now, coffee, and pretending I'm not tired and I find it passes. Prob due to blood sugar which is why people crave cakes / biscuits around that time. Something low GI for lunch may help stabilise sugar levels?

I always feel sleepy in the afternoon on the days I don't exercise in the morning. Don't know if this is your thing but joining a gym with a creche or running with a jogging stroller can do wonders for your energy levels. Failing that, go easy on the carbs at lunch and have some really dark choc. or a latte in the afternoon.

mermaid, I also have a 9 month old dd. when she sleeps i read or go on my computer, on occasion i do housework, but then i realised if i did i never sit down for the whole day, we all need some relaxing time, I also try other things to revitalise such as sleep or meditatiion
i read once that 4pm is the time when our energy is at the lowest, not sure why, are you getting enough fresh air as well? some nice walks are good for energy

Me too! I had this for years. Napping made me feel worse, and strangely enough, I only felt better when I stopped trying to rest, and kept busy.

If I sit down, I feel far worse.

I have always had a significant afternoon dip between 5 and 6, can remember falling asleep whilst waiting for my piano lesson as a young child.

Was a nightmare when I had a motorway commute home at that time, painfully difficult not to nod off in the car despite coffee, loud singing etc

My Mum has exactly the same timed dip.

It's less noticeable if I'm busy and active.

It's our circadian rhythm

Thanks everyone! I've just had a bit of a lie down just now, so I'll see how this afternoon is.

Silverangel, I don't know much about GI and stuff. What would you suggest for a lunch?

I also like the chocolate and latte idea. Might just do that whether it works or not: just sounds really pleasant!

Glad to know I'm not the only one. Because I had a problem with tiredness before I'm never sure if I'm just being a wimp.