Sleep aides to help get back to sleep

[newmumabouttown]

When I have to do a night feed I’m finding I can’t get back to sleep. I’ve had sleep issues in past so try all the usual tricks and not working. Is there a drug that anyone has tried that helps you get to sleep but will mean you can wake up after a couple of hours? I’ve used drugs in past (from GP) but they knock you out cold. Wasn’t sure if maybe melatonin could be good, but didn’t want to risk taking and not being alert for baby.

For added context I take melatonin for jet lag when I used to do a lot of long haul work trips.

In my experience melatonin is generally OK and doesn’t make me drowsy if I have to get up during the night. It’s the only thing I’d take unless DH was taking over all the night wake ups for that night.

I developed awful insomnia from night feeds and the only way I got over it was taking sleeping pills and having DH do the night wake ups. That was before I brought some melatonin in Canada - wish I’d had it at the time!

Melatonin is good as it has such a short half-life (so will be out of your system very quickly - helps you fall asleep but not stay asleep). I also took a few times in this situation (was breastfeeding) a quarter of a pill of promethazine (brand names Sominex, Avomine, Phenergan). It's strong so a quarter dose works but does make you sleepy (but can still get up in the morning). https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/promethazine/#:~:text=Promethazine%20and%20pregnancy,%2Ddrowsy%20antihistamine%20(loratadine).

Melatonin certainly won’t knock you out, it brings on sleepiness but doesn’t cause that sedated feeling - as a pp says it doesn’t help you stay asleep just get to sleep. Worth a try.

Earplugs really helped me get back to sleep after night feeds - not to block noise (as DD was asleep by then and I could still hear DD through them if she woke) but just to help me feel “off duty” and not on high alert, iyswim.

I've used Nytol for years. Doesn't really knock you out but if you do have to get up, getting back to sleep is far easier

Thanks all!