How much did sleep deprivation/interruption affect you?

[Peggy21]

I’ve got a 3 yo who sleeps well now and a ten month old who has been waking every 2-3 hours for months. I feed him back to sleep which is a bit of a bad habit and I am planning to sleep train very soon... but I am feeling at a low ebb and sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and anxious first thing I don’t know how I will get through the day. Feeling like it’s relentlessness. I’m not sure how much of this is linked to continuous poor sleep or whether it’s something else I need to address? Anyone had a similar experience?

When I was very sleep deprived I felt horrendous and like I wanted to run away and leave my baby and husband.
I told my husband I felt very unwell, that I thought it was lack of sleep and not PND, but to please keep an eye on me as I wasn’t right.

Thankfully sleep improved and so did I.
Can you talk to a partner/friend/health visitor and tell them your concerns?

I used to wake up and cry because I was so exhausted I felt I couldn't cope with the thought of a full day with a six year old to get to school/pick up and two dc under 2 and a dog that needed walking. I think I'm a bit of a tough but but the lack of sleep was horrendous

Sleep is essential. Without proper sleep for an extensive amount of time, you will not be yourself.

I started to take berocca in the morning. That helped. Make sure you're eating and drinking well. If you can learn to power nap it makes a huge difference. Just 20 mins 2 times a day.

Take the kids out in the fresh air every day I always thought it made them sleep better. I still do.

It does get easier. It will get better. But it is so so hard being sleep deprived

I find sleep deprivation makes me v depressed and v grim. I hobestly need a minimum six hours together or I really struggle. Sleep deprivation is dreadful.