Can't get back to sleep at 4am

[Chloris33]

I find that if my baby wakes at around 4am I really struggle to get back to sleep afterwards. Other times of the night when he wakes I usually can get back to sleep, but there's something about 4am - must be where I am in my sleep cycle. It's so annoying as I've had a really tough time with ds's sleep & need all the sleep I can get. Anyone else experienced this? Anything help?

This time of year I could struggle to get back to sleep following an early morning wake up. I think it is because it is light outside and no matter that we have blackout blinds, I can see the daylight round the edges and it does something to my psyche that says time to get up now.

I own one of those eye masks. I find it very useful for times when the baby wakes me, it is daylight but is still far too early to wake up.

I find putting the eye mask on and it helps me drift back to sleep. I also have foam earplugs - still allow me to hear baby but dulls down general sounds. Together the two seems to help. Worth a try?

Ah yes join the club - the 4am club! I know that after this feed, baby will awake again around 6 (if I'm lucky, sometimes it's 5), so it's vital I get some sleep. Brain just refuses to switch off though! Like you, I really am in need of sleep and I guess knowing that doesn't really help. I dream (awake of course!) of the day DD drops that particular feed.

I have an eye mask but get a bit freaked out by wearing it. Guess I'll just have to hold out for the darker days...

me too, it's infuriating isn't it? usually happens after ive had a late night so I lie there getting worked up about how little sleep ive had and how I MUST get back to sleep. I'm not sure it really helps but my mum always said you don't have to be asleep just resting is enough to refresh you. Sometimes I tell myself this abd I think it calms me enough to actually fall back

Try to think of something beginning with every letter of the alphabet and really concentrate on it - if you find your mind wandering get back to the task. I've never had to think of a fruit beginning with a Z!

did this last night and it worked! ! thought of flowers/plants and remembered getting to about k which was a struggle bit I decided id allow kelp

Haha, glad it worked. I too hated any night waking at all after a certain time. I think if i'd had more than a few hours sleep my mind would be whirring.