Postnatal insomnia

[RMarieClaire]

Any insomniac mums out there? Or does anyone know if there's perhaps already a support thread?

My 6 month old sleeps well (one or no wake ups 7-7) but since the 4 month regression I've experienced bouts of crippling insomnia. Last night I went to bed at 10 but didn't fall asleep till 2.30 - LO then woke up at 3.15

My doctor prescribed drowsy antihistamines but they don't work other than to make me feel weird. I've been using CBD drops with some good results but worry about the impact on breastfeeding.

Nothing more frustrating than lying next to your snoozing baby but being unable to sleep. It's making me very anxious during the day and I'm dreading staying at my in laws this Christmas.

Yes! I've always struggled with sleeping and insomnia. DS (4 months) seems to take after his dad in his ability to sleep. I have spent many hours in the middle of the night listening to them both snore away. It's infuriating isn't it?! I do have some sleeping tablets that I was prescribed but my DH sleeps so deeply that he often doesn't hear DS so I've been wary about taking them in case I don't wake up. I can imagine that staying away from home will be unsettling too; I hope you manage to get some sleep

Thanks @mynameiscalypso - good to know I'm not alone at least. None of the mums I know have this issue so I've been feeling really lonely. I've always had trouble sleeping, but only have bouts of actual insomnia once or twice a year, usually lasting two or three nights. In the last month I've had it 3 times, once for 5 nights. It made being a good mum in the day virtually impossible!

How do you deal with it?

I've had this throughout my adult life and it got worse for a short time when my DD was born. What helped was meditation apps on phone, I recommend Glenn Harold Deep sleep or Mindfulness for Anxiety one. Maybe revisit the doctors and explain, they may give you a short prescription of zoplicone, they were amazing for me. If your baby is reliably sleeping through there's no problem in taking something to help you sleep. If you don't want to do that, Rescue remedy night time can help. Do some yoga or stretching before bed and if you can, exercise during the day. I always sleep better if I've been for a run or long walk. Also don't under estimate the little things, earplugs and an eye mask can work wonders! I hope you find something that works for you! Good luck x

I struggle massively with insomnia. I listen to sleep hypnosis on YouTube and it really helps.

So last night was pretty awful. Having only had 2 hours the night before I decided to go to bed at 8.30pm. I'd had no caffeine since 9am and two mugs of camomile tea before bed. I then listened to Michael Sealey tapes. I didn't get to sleep till 1.30am! Baby woke at 2.30am

I'm going to call my doctor later but I'm away at family and I'm not sure there's going to be any salvaging Christmas for me

Any other tips that don't require a prescription?

I don’t have any tips but just wanted to chime in here. I’ve got a 5 month old who has slept through since 3 months. Pretty much as soon as he started sleeping through I have been sleeping horribly. I’ve generally not had an issue falling asleep but am waking multiple times a night and struggling to get back to sleep. Have used nytol, rescue remedy and currently have a stinking cough and cold so have used night nurse last couple of nights. I’ve seen a GP about it and have another app next month but it’s been going on for 2 months now and I’m completely worn down by it x

DD is nearly 7 months and lately ive been laying in bed for about 2 hours before falling asleep - and just as i feel like im getting tired or deeply relaxing she will cry for her dummy or cough or something and im back to the beginning.
The other night i was in bed at 9pm - nearly fell asleep at 11 then she woke at 11.30 for dummy so i didnt get to sleep until about midnight.
I then find i get annoyed at not being able to sleep which makes it 10x worse.
Im now having mild nighttime anxiety about not sleeping as soon as i get in bed.
I hope something works for you! I cant take anything as she wakes for dummy a few times and some times a feed.

@girlmummy25 I have this anxiety too! It's a vicious cycle. I took Zoplicone on Christmas Eve and it helped but like you my daughter does sometimes need a night feed and my husband is a very heavy sleeper, I worry he wouldn't wake for her.

I'm now trying drowsy antihistamines again. Probably a placebo but I'm desperate!

Hi OP, I had this for a while when dd was a baby. 'Sleep hygiene' was key in sorting it for me: if you're not asleep in 20 mins or so, get out of bed and read until you feel tired again. Repeat if needed. You don't want to associate being in bed with not sleeping, if that makes sense. Equally, get up around the same time every day, regardless of how the night went. And do everything you can to not worry about sleep - a mantra like whatever happens I'll manage tomorrow was helpful for me. Good luck and hope it improves soon!