Anyone else not able to sleep? Any advice?

[Radley]

Over the last few weeks, my sleep has been atrocious, for instance, yesterday I got up at 6am and went to bed at 11pm, by 11.30pm, I was back downstairs, couldn't settle and ended up going to bed at 4.45. I woke up with the little one at 6.30 and went back to sleep about 8.30 when DH took them downstairs, he didn't want to get out of bed .

He then came and woke me at 10, which is fine as he said that he didn't want to leave me in bed all day as it could make things worse tonight.

So, I have read a few sites, but my consultant says that alot of the stuff on the internet is rubbish and to ignore it.

What I've got planned for tonight is:

No alcohol
When kids are in bed, have a long hot bath with lavender crystals in
Have a hot drink of horlicks
Read a book
Listen to a sleep meditation tape
Put fresh line dried bedding on and spray with a lavender and chamomile linen spray

Are there any other things that you would suggest?

I sleep in an eye mask anyway so that makes no difference (there is a street light outside our bedroom window which annoys me)

I never have heating on as its far too warm and I do prefer a cool room.

Also, on the nights when I just cannot settle, I don't really want to watch tele and sit at the computer, I've heard that relaxing things, reading, music etc, would you class doing things like jigsaws etc.

I really am at a loss with all this.

.

anyone?

Hello
I've heard having a piece of amethyst next to your bed can help.
Personally I concentrate on my breathing and try to block out everything else.

Radley I can empthaise totally. (How was last night btw?). I have recently started taking some homeo tablets. Not sure I have much advice as I could write just as much about my poor sleep patter. But I wanted to elt you kmnow you are not alone. Chat to me about it anytime.

I empathise totally..do you worry and it keeps you awake?

I try taking each letter of the aplhabet and making lists of things

I tell myself that lying oin bed is as good as sleeping

I used to have this problem - sometimes going to bed at 10am, waking up at 12 midnight and that was it - usually cried at 7am when i had to get up after just 2 hours sleep. Best thing I think is to always go to bed at same time and get up at same time to sort out your body clock. Also if you feel like you can't sleep do something really boring like ironing. Or make sure if you read a book that it's not an exciting one. The half hour before you go to bed should be unstimulating. Sex is good though! And don't worry or get annoyed - it's amazing how little sleep you can survive on. Sometimes I felt completely wired like I could keep going forever. But I used to dread going to bed because I knew I wouldn't have a good night. Much better now (probably because my baby is sleeping through). Hope you find what works for you.

I just wanted to sympathise.
I usually sleep well but, have 18 week old. She went through the night from 7pm to 7am this morning but guess what - I didn't sleep a wink - GUTTED!

I find dreaming that I am married to Robbie Williams and living in the most amazing house helps me drift off usually,(!!) but nothign worked last night.

Hope you get some good, decent sleep tonight.

have nothing to suggest but do sympathise. i used to sleep SO well when i was younger, but i really think all that disrupted sleep with babies buggers up your sleep patterns and you're never the same. (Is that why old ladies always seem to be the only other people up & about when you're out with your baby before the shops are open in the morning, feeling like it must be nearly lunchtime?!!) :)

Sympathies - I'm a chronic insomniac, it sucks.

Try herbal tablets (passiflora,, valarian) or a sedating antihistamine like piriton. I find white noise helpful or sleeping on the couch with the TV on. Have had to resort to prescription sleeping tablets occasionally.

HTH