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Postpartum insomnia with second born

2 replies

Mum231402 · 08/08/2026 14:15

My second child is 6 months and postpartum insomnia has reappeared (I suffered with it with my first child on and off during the first year.) I am so exhausted, feeling really low and almost have a feeling of scared. I honestly thought that I was going to die last time it was horrible. It was just time that helped me get past it last time.
I am either struggling to get to sleep or can't get back to sleep after baby wakes, its torture. I EBF too so can't be away from baby that long and first born doesn't nap any more so I do not get a rest on non nursery days. Partner is a huge help but he is exhausted too.
I don't really know why I am posting, I guess I am looking for solidarity. If you have/had this how long did it last? Any tips for managing the exhaustion?
Am I just in the thick of it again, and when baby sleeps longer, I will just feel better?
Baby's sleep isn't great, they wake roughly every 1.5 to 2 hours at the moment so I guess I know i will get woken up so the pressure to sleep is huge when I go to bed too.
I just feel really low, but I really don't want to take tablets as I feel like i would become reliant on them. Any advice or positive words would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 08/08/2026 20:20

It’s so hard when you can’t sleep when they sleep! Honestly cosleeping just me and baby helped me sleep more. Couldn’t handle another adult there. Get fresh air / exercise where you can. Magnesium helps my sleep.

idratherbedrawing · 08/08/2026 21:35

i feel for you - this is rubbish. I suffered with it after both kids, worse with second. Mainly it was I couldn’t get back to sleep after being woken by the baby rather than get to sleep initially but I did sometimes get the former. First time I found 5HTP supplement really helped. With my second it didn’t have same effect so after struggling for a while I went to the GP and they prescribed a low dose of amitriptyline as think it was the one thing that was safe with breastfeeding. I found it helped a lot, so I’d advise going to your GP and seeing what they can do.

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