Postnatal insomnia

[Pantheon]

Has anyone else had this? Did you find anything helped? My dd wakes up a couple of times a night but I sometimes struggle to get to sleep initially or get back to sleep after a night feed. I've read it can be linked to ppd? Wondering if I should see GP - don't feel unhappy but so tired and it's stressful not sleeping when I could be!

Would be good to hear other experiences

I think it's a lot to do with being over tired!

Not sure about ppd but may be worth a visit to gp anyway?

I used to struggle to get back to sleep after feeds. Almost like I was always worried about not getting back to sleep before the next wake up. What really helped me was to listen to audio books (Harry potter ). I knew the stories so well that I didn't need to focus but it helped me drift off. Might be worth a try. Just need to be mindful of any wires.

Thanks for your replies. The over tired thing makes sense! Used to only thinking about that with dd not me! Will see what GP thinks and will try an audiobook. Can definitely relate to the worrying about not getting back to sleep before next wake up.

Mine got so bad around the 4 month sleep regression I had to go get some sleeping tablets to help me fall asleep. It's been amazing, I fall asleep within ten minutes, I still wake for her feeds every 2 hours and I'm back to sleep right away.
I've also started a bedtime routine for myself, I put the baby down 7 she's asleep by 8. I spend an hour pottering around or watching TV then turn all screens off for an hour, have a camomile tea and read a book. A week in and I'm feeling so much better

Shabeth are you breastfeeding? I really struggled with insomnia with DD1 and am pregnant again and concerned. I have always struggled with sleeping but largely managed it with good sleep hygiene (winding down before bed, same bed time etc). This was affected by a baby waking for feeds. I would also get anxious about not getting back to sleep before the next feeds and also was on red alert to any tiny noises (even with ear plugs!) One thing I tried to do was have no clocks in the room and when it was bad I left DD in the room with DH and slept on the sofa bed. He would bring her through for feeds but then he was responsible for waking which helped me sleep slightly better.

Shabeth my post wasn't clear. I wondered if they had prescribed sleeping tablets to you when breastfeeding as I had assumed they wouldn't so never saw the GP.

Yes I had this and I'm worried it'll happen with my next baby, due in a weeks time, so I'm reading this with interest. However, I did find an earphone in and listen to a podcast helped. There are sleep podcasts available or try sleep/hypnotherapy videos on YouTube.

@bendingspoons yes I'm breastfeeding, we use a next to me the dr asked me if I had someone who can watch me and made sure the baby wasn't in bed with me and prescribed a low dose of zopiclone. He said it was perfectly fine while breastfeeding. I just couldn't take it anymore my Post Natal Anxiety was getting worse and worse.
I've been on them a week to get myself past utter exhaustion now tonight I'm going to try going to bed without one. They only last for 5 hours so if I'm not asleep by the first time she wakes for a feed I'll take one.
I just make sure I'm sitting while I feed her and set an alarm to go off every minute but tbh I don't need it the dose is so low It just helps me drift off.
Also Harry Potter audio book is amazing!

Thank you, that is really useful to know in case I need it next time. I used to feel the dread by about 2pm and just cos of the sleeping. DH was always happy to help but only breastfeeding settled DD.

Fingers crossed for you OP and everyone else that it eases soon. I'm also wondering if more exercise would have helped me. Hard to do when you are exhausted but we had a week at Center Parcs when DD was 6 months and I slept pretty well thanks I assume to the quiet and the exercise.