Sleep after baby

[merrygoroundabout]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread, but I'm wondering if anyone's sleep changed since having a baby?

Obviously there are the sleepless nights thanks to the baby waking up, but I'm finding after spending all day looking after her, once she is down I can't fall asleep myself. I was going to take some over the counter tablets (nightol?) but I'm not sure if they will stop me from waking up when the baby does.

Is this normal or is everyone so tired from looking after baby that they fall asleep straight away?

Tonight I'm not so worried about going to sleep as baby has been grumpier today and suddenly went quiet after crying for ages. She's also sounding like she's getting a cold. My sister died from SIDS so I'm extra paranoid about that.

Hi op, I think most women find this happens. I know my mum, gran and auntie say they never slept the same again. Often waking in the night and early in the morning, I think it must become a habit checking on babies (even older children). My dd is 7 weeks now and I do find it hard to go back to sleep sometimes. But then I can nod off when she's napping too. I'm not sure about medications, have a word with your pharmacist and see what they say. If your feeling particularly anxious that won't help, but given your experience that is very understandable. Can you call you health visitor for advice? Hope you find a solution x

I became a much lighter sleeper after having children...

I really struggled with postnatal insomnia. I found practicing good sleep hygiene worked, the lavender pillow sprays you can buy and Ewan the dream sheep white noise helped me (did nothing for DS). Also some of the relaxation techniques in Dr Chatterjee's Four Pillar plan book.

I struggle to fall asleep and often wake at 4/5 even though DD is sound asleep and then I can't get back to sleep. I sometimes nap same time but I think that's making it worse! No advice just in same position. I'm hoping it gets better

I was exactly the same. It does improve, try not to stress at how you can't fall asleep. I found doing something like watch a bit of tv with a warm drink helped rather than going straight to bed.

I remember I had a phase of it taking me so long to get to sleep DS was then awake again.. exhausting but again not forever

I think it can be normal. In the very early days, I was so exhausted that I would zonk out as soon as I got the chance, but it doesn't always happen now.

I think that when you have to stay awake at odd hours, you are kind of running on adrenaline and it can take a while to wind down. And there's also the uncertainty - my DD is very unpredictable, so it's hard to relax when I'm worried she might have me up again in an hour.

I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your sister. When you say that you are paranoid about SIDS, do you mean that it is anxiety keeping you awake, and that you have to keep checking she's OK?

Thanks everyone - I'm glad it's relatively normal and not just me.

@JaneEyreFunfair I do find myself checking her breathing more than I think is usual but I don't think it's that that is keeping me awake. I do occasionally wake and check her breathing then go straight back to sleep.

I find it hard to fall asleep too, and when I wake up in the middle of the night I lie awake.
Magnesium might help you sleep better without the effects of medication.
As an aside, I'm so sorry about your sister. There are blankets you can get now that beep if the baby stops moving (breathing). I don't have one myself but that might help put your mind at ease