Baby sleeps but mummy can't!

**ivysmumma** · 30-03-2010 14:52

Hi Everyone,
I have a baby girl who is sleeping beautifully through the night, since around 8 weeks. She is now almost 11 weeks and sleeps from anywhere between 6-8pm till 4-6 am- depending on how early she went to bed. I on the other hand, am finding that I still wake up every 2 hours like when she was newborn and cannot seem to get the decent sleep I could potentially be having. Bub sleeps in her own room, and we have an Angelcare monitor that monitors sound and movement- as a piece of mind. I go to sleep relaxed knowing that I can hear her and the alarm will sound if she stops breathing- so why can't I stay asleep?!!! It is very frustrating and was wondering if anyone else had a similar issue and had some good advice?!!! PS I have tried having the sound off on the monitor so I don't wake to her every whimper, and can hear her cry easily from our bedroom...doesn't seem to help!

**tracynben** · 30-03-2010 15:38

i think its just a natural womans instinct (sixth sense) that you develope once you have hada baby.
I know with both of my children i was like that, esp whilst they were still in the same room, i dont use a monitor anymore (but my children aere 3 and 14 months), but can hear them from my room.

You sound as though you may have something on your mind, are you worried something will happen to her? or do u have other things on ur mind?

Try relaxation techniques before bed, ie yoga, read a book, bath , candles.

If you cant sleep properly at night, make sure in the day when she naps, you nap, it will help, forget about chores etc, sleep is more important, cos if you dont function no one else does.

hope that helps
tracy xxx

**waterlily** · 30-03-2010 15:46

I was the same. But after time I started sleeping better, nothing helped relaxe me except time. I will now sleep extremly lightly the smallest sound and I'm awake!
I listen to audio books on my iPhone to help me nod off now.
Good luck.

**2made3** · 30-03-2010 15:49

OH ivysmumma!!!!!!

This was me last week!!!!!!

My bub is 5 wks old and for the last week has been doing 6-7hr stretches follwed by another 4 hour stretch overnight. BUT I had a terrible case of insomnia. I didn't fall asleep AT ALL after that first night feed about 2am. So I was managing about 2-3 hours sleep a night max.

I tried everything - getting up and watching telly, reading, relaxation methods, etc. But nothing worked. In the end I had to resort to sleeping pills for a couple of nights (just simple over the counter ones, nothing real strong) to reset my body clock. I even found it really hard to relax enough to nap during the day when I could.

I'd say, like me, you are overtired and anxious - so used to waking at any peep and not sleeping soundly. the more you do it the worse it gets coz you get more overtired and anxious from it! I was getting so stressed coz I was so tired and hated that bub was fast asleep at night and I was missing out on precious rest!!

I never had this with DS1 & DS2 so it was new (& stressful) to me!

I hope you can sort it out soon. It isn't much fun i know

**CheekyChicken** · 30-03-2010 19:10

This was me last night! I usually co-sleep as DD won't sleep any other way but last night she slept in her own cot, waking once for a feed and resettling in her own cot again. I barely slept.

I used to have DD in a cradle against my bed and I always slept best like that.

**ivysmumma** · 30-03-2010 19:55

Thanks everyone, there have been some great ideas...I am not really worried about her at all as I know she is safe and happy...I think it will just take time for my body clock to reset. Going to try a bath, lavender and warm milk tonight.
Will keep you posted!
Thanks again for the ideas-it is nice to know I am not alone

x