sleepless mum

[clare]

Does anyone share my sleep problem? I am the happy proud mum of a 4 month old daughter who has been sleeping through the night for quite some time. The problem is ever since her birth I have been having great trouble getting to sleep. Some nights I do not sleep at all, and often when I do get to sleep and am awakened during the night I am unable to return to slumberland.

I was previously a very heavy and good sleeper before I was pregnant and a fairly good one during my pregnancy.

I am still fully breastfeeding so didn't know whether this had something to do with it?

My doctor says I have no symptoms of Postnatal depression, still I am quite worried as I get very tired and grumpy as a result of my lack of sleep.

I have tried herbal sleep remedies (valerian)without success and am unable to take anything stronger as I am breastfeeding.

Does anyone else share my condition?

[Marcy]

Hi sleepless mum,

My only suggestion is maybe try a warm bath with lavender in to that sometimes helps with me if i cant sleep i just relax in it and then off tobed a presto im sleeping.

Hope u can get to sleep soon

Marcy mummy to Samuel 15mths :)

[Brenda]

Yep, I have also become a terrible sleeper since becoming a Mum. Its frustrating because I have had nights when my DS has a great night and only wakes once or sleeps right through and yet I still don't get a decent nights sleep as I usually wake up around 3am and cannot get back to sleep. I also find that I can be absolutely exhausted and sleep deprived during the day so do the right thing and try to go to bed early 8 - 8.30 and I just end up laying there tossing and turning although I know I'm sooo tired (maybe overtired).

I do have some good nights and I seem to be getting better lately. My DS is nearly 11 months now and after many periods of frequent night wakings, weaning him off night feeds, interstate holidays, colds etc he finally slept through last night 6.30 - 6.20. I'm hoping we're both on track to some better night time sleeping habits.

I put my poor sleeping down to anxiety, worrying about how many times DS would wake up during the night instead of just waiting for it to happen. An overactive mind, not being able to shut off and my body adjusting to less sleep ie. waking up after 5 hours of sleep, feeling rested and not being able to get back to sleep.

[SAS]

Hi Clare,

I'm in the same boat as you. I haven't had a good night sleep since bub was born and she is nearly 3.5 months. I can't sleep in the day either and this leaves me grumpy and easily agitated. Bub is sleeping okay in the night but I wake up several times during the night and can't go back to sleep. I am breastfeeding and someone mentioned to me that my hormones will be out of wack while I'm breasfeeding and this is what causes the sleepless nights. Apparently it's similar to women who are going through menopause because some of them have sleepless nights. We have similar hormones levels to them while we are breasfeeding.
So you're not alone. Hope you have a good night tonight.

SAS