2 kids out of routine, PP insomnia

[OutOfRoutine]

Just needing outside reassurance that I will be OK as I have mild anxiety and am terrible at catastrophising.

Currently abroad with our 2 DC, 4y and 4m. We're seeing DH's family which we haven't seen for 2 years due to covid and have been so excited for this trip. However since having DC2 4 months ago I have had bouts of anxiety and insomnia so am not as chilled as I'd like to be.

Both DC thrive on routine but this week we've been visiting different relatives everyday. They are well and happy but the 4 year old was up and down all night last night from having a really exciting night running around with other children and going to bed 3 hours later than usual.

I'm now panicking she's so high on adrenaline I won't be able to break the cycle and she'll never sleep again. She's so happy though maybe it's just what kids are like at Christmas?

I was up feeding baby in the early hours and insomnia kicked in and I couldn't get back to sleep.

There is just not enough opportunity to be settled for me to get decent sleep and I'm scared I'm going to get unwell from it.

I'm getting about 5 or 6 hours broken sleep a night, that should be OK to get me by right?

I really want to enjoy Christmas with my children but right now I'm just stressed going over how much sleep everyone has had in my head constantly and worrying about the next nap time.

Help!

The 4 year old will be fine. It may take her a few days to get back into her routine when she's home but she will. It sounds as if she's having a great time.

And lots of 4 month olds wake regularly. It won't be forever and you will survive

Hope you've had a lovely day with them both.

Thank you so so much for the reply. Its really the 4 year old I was worried about so that is good to hear. I'd just never seen her so hyper but she did nap that day which helped.

Christmas Eve she was up until 1am though so last night was a struggle to get her to sleep, her body clock is all over the place. She also doesn't sleep in any later even if she goes to bed late so her sleep debt is huge currently!

But she is not grumpy and having an amazing time so I need to focus on that and relax. Fingers crossed she soon falls back into her routine.

The little one has been so content and settled and has done her longest night stretches ever whilst we've been here. It's not resulted in more sleep for me sadly as I've stayed up late with family, but hopefully she carries on once we are home!

Both of mine always woke at the same time, no matter what time they went to sleep.

It really does sound as though she's having a great time, try not to worry

Glad it's not just us!

Despite telling myself to relax I'm so stressed again! 4y old wanted me to lie down with her in bed but she was so hyper, talking to me about sharks and fairies and shapes and letters and pyjamas etc etc. She is nowhere near nodding off despite being exhausted. Not sure why this is so anxiety triggering for me argh. Daddy has taken over now, his calming influence got her to nap on Christmas eve so hopefully he can work some magic again!