How do you get back to sleep once you've been woken up?

[pompomseverywhere]

With two young children I've basically had 4 years of dreadful nights.

I've now got it down to one night feed at around 1:30am. But I just can't get back to sleep myself. It's torture knowing the baby is ACTUALLY asleep and I'm not.

I don't want to get up as there's a good chance I'll wake baby as bed and floorboards are very creaky.

I don't go on my phone until after two hours of being awake. But then I just give up and do MN.

How do you all get back to sleep? (Maybe asking the wrong people if you are up reading this at 4am).

Lol yes you are asking the wrong people! After a bit of scrolling I normally have a cuppa and then go back to bed, audiobook on a timer and manage to drop off again.

I really recommend a podcast called ‘nothing much happens’ very soothing and helps a lot xx

I was going to say ‘not picking up my phone’

Damnit!

When I've woken up at night and need to go back to sleep, I replay the most recent dream I've had (assuming it's not a nightmare!). I think remembering the stories my brain tells itself when it's sleeping somehow accesses my neurological sleep pathways, if that makes sense. It works like an absolute charm. Even better if the dream was recent. (It does help for this method to write your dreams down so you don't forget them!)

@HyacinthsHydrangeas

When I've woken up at night and need to go back to sleep, I replay the most recent dream I've had (assuming it's not a nightmare!). I think remembering the stories my brain tells itself when it's sleeping somehow accesses my neurological sleep pathways, if that makes sense. It works like an absolute charm. Even better if the dream was recent. (It does help for this method to write your dreams down so you don't forget them!)

What a totally unique idea!

@WutheredOut hahaha put your phone down and go to sleep!

@Garfieldismyspiritanimal I will try that podcast

Well I’m having a cup of tea and reading Mumsnet, but I don’t think that is the right thing to do.
I hope you’re already asleep and don’t see this message OP. Good luck

Soothing sleep stories off u tube could help. What works best for me is I have a position I fall asleep in so I get back in that position to trick my body into thinking it's bedtime again.

I find EFT does it every time . (Emotional freedom technique) as it’s nearly always something I’m upset or worried about.

I have wireless headphones. I stick one in and listen to the exact same soothing YouTube vid.

The longest it has taken is 15 mins. It is a 40 min video

I’d love to know, I’ve been awake since 5am due to peri menopause.

I just put some radio comedy on via BBC Sounds. Something I’ve heard loads of times so no incentive to stay awake. Usually takes 10mins max.

Podcasts

Sleep headphones and an audiobook usually does is for me. I only buy favourites where I know the plot so it doesn’t matter if I drop off. Sometimes relaxation apps although I tend to find they don't work so well in the middle of the night. Better when I’m trying to drop off first time round.

I listen to podcasts. Even if I’m awake and really interested in what I’m listening to I fall asleep pretty quickly.

I really feel for you, OP. If you’ve ‘only’ had this problem since having young children, it’s probably partially anxiety that’s keeping you up; the feeling that you could be woken at any point. You get so conditioned to it! It might be helpful to remind and reassure yourself that just as you’ve been trained to sleep badly by waking children and babies over the past four years, there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will sleep well again. This won’t go on forever. Once your babies both sleep, your brain and your body will trust that you can sleep more soundly and you will relearn how to sleep better again.

(Full disclosure, I am due my second any day now, and my first was a horrific sleeper…!)

I listen to an audio book. Always really gripping, exciting ones that I thoroughly enjoy - you can guarantee falling asleep within ten minutes then have to trundle back to find your place when you next go to listen to find out what you've missed! I have an eye mask with built in earphones so I'm always gone in no time...

I'm a poor sleeper at times. Do not go on your phone. I've recently been using the calm app and despite being cynical it does help me
I've done sleep therapy in the past, your environment is key, is it dark enough? Warm or cold enough?
Font reach for the tv tablet or phone unless you've been awake ages and actually get up, read or watch whatever in another room for a bit. Then go back to bed

I tell myself and accept I won't sleep again that night. It then stops me worrying about trying to get back to sleep and allows my mind to wander. I then eventually fall asleep again.

I agree it's anxiety at the thought of being woken up so frequently. My youngest is 2 now and I'm just getting over it!

I used to give myself mental challenges like coming up with girl/boy names/breed of dog/cars for every letter A-Z. Or a band I likes albums in chronological order etc.

Interesting enough to distract my brain, but still boring enough to fall asleep!

@OldTinHat

I listen to an audio book. Always really gripping, exciting ones that I thoroughly enjoy - you can guarantee falling asleep within ten minutes then have to trundle back to find your place when you next go to listen to find out what you've missed! I have an eye mask with built in earphones so I'm always gone in no time...

You need to set the Sleep function on your audiobook app. Brilliant!

So basically I need some headphones and a book or podcast.

@Feedmepancakes but I do love the A-Z technique which I'll try when I'm waiting for headphones to arrive.

I'm not sure it's anxiety but when I've survived on such little sleep up to now I feel like my body is used to it and only sleeping till 1am now and it thinks 'that's plenty of sleep for now'.