Insomnia, please help
Question:
Look at what else Ann says, about being weepy, failing her husband, disorganised, forgetful, insomnia etc. I would say that Ann needs to talk with her doctor at length about this and suggest she has post-natal/post-partum depression. Help is easily and readily available in various forms, in almost all localities on the globe. Please don’t leave it to clear up on its own, the first months of the baby’s life go past too quickly, and we would all rather that they were enjoyed rather than endured. The big hurdle is over once the appointment is made. Good luck Ann, best wishes; Janet.
Response:
I get insomnia occasionally as part of PMS. What works pretty well for me is to take a benedryl capsule. They make me very drowsy. It’s one of their side-effects. And it’s ok while nursing. Good luck. — Carol
Response:
Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait until Nov 1 to see a doctor, but I will. I’ll let you all know how it turns out. thanks again, Ann 
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve had horrible insomnia (premature waking, getting around 3 hours sleep per night) for the last month. It started the week before my period returned, so at first I assumed that that was why. However, it’s continued, and I just don’t know what to do. I’m going insane, slowly–depressed, disorganized, forgetful, irritable, impatient, weepy, etc–and I feel like I’m failing my husband and 4 month old son horribly. I love them both so much, and I just don’t know what to do. Any suggestions on what I can do or take to help? Ann
Response:
Unfortunately, that doesn’t work so well. I nap whenever Morgan naps, but he doesn’t sleep much during the day, and when he does it’s only for around 20-30 minutes. He’s colicy (although I’m hoping that’ll end soon as he’s nearly 4 1/2 months now), and wants to nurse almost constantly. Maybe that’ll get better as he gets older. Ann – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve had horrible insomnia (premature waking, getting around 3 hours sleep per night) for the last month. Do you work or are you on some other rigid schedule? If not, then just sleep when you are tired, no matter what time of day. If you have to keep a schedule, then you have to regulate your sleep times, but if you are a SAHM with no obligations except home and baby, you can sleep any time. It sounds weird to those of us who think one must have 8 hours during the night time, but if you let go of your pre-conceived ideas about schedules, you might be okay. When you are tired, lay down with the baby. Hopefully, the quiet atmosphere and nursing will cause the baby to nap, and then you can sleep too. In an hour or two, your will wake up. Go about your day until you are tired again, then take another nap. Just keep doing this all day. Don’t worry about getting into a bad habit–you need sleep now, and that’s the bottom line. Don’t worry about how and when you get it, just get it. Hopefully in a few months you might be able to get back to a sleep-at-night schedule. For the record, I have done this since I was pregnant, and I get all the sleep I need, even if it is not all at night. I can do other things like cleaning, reading, watching taped shows, etc. at night. –S.
Response:
I think so too–I used to think that post-partum depression could only happen in the first few weeks after a baby was born, but it’s pretty clear now that I’m having it in a delayed manner. Ann – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Look at what else Ann says, about being weepy, failing her husband, disorganised, forgetful, insomnia etc. I would say that Ann needs to talk with her doctor at length about this and suggest she has post-natal/post-partum depression. Help is easily and readily available in various forms, in almost all localities on the globe. Please don’t leave it to clear up on its own, the first months of the baby’s life go past too quickly, and we would all rather that they were enjoyed rather than endured. The big hurdle is over once the appointment is made. Good luck Ann, best wishes; Janet.
Response:
I’ve had horrible insomnia (premature waking, getting around 3 hours sleep per night) for the last month.
Do you work or are you on some other rigid schedule? If not, then just sleep when you are tired, no matter what time of day. If you have to keep a schedule, then you have to regulate your sleep times, but if you are a SAHM with no obligations except home and baby, you can sleep any time. It sounds weird to those of us who think one must have 8 hours during the night time, but if you let go of your pre-conceived ideas about schedules, you might be okay. When you are tired, lay down with the baby. Hopefully, the quiet atmosphere and nursing will cause the baby to nap, and then you can sleep too. In an hour or two, your will wake up. Go about your day until you are tired again, then take another nap. Just keep doing this all day. Don’t worry about getting into a bad habit–you need sleep now, and that’s the bottom line. Don’t worry about how and when you get it, just get it. Hopefully in a few months you might be able to get back to a sleep-at-night schedule. For the record, I have done this since I was pregnant, and I get all the sleep I need, even if it is not all at night. I can do other things like cleaning, reading, watching taped shows, etc. at night. –S.
Response:
I’ve had horrible insomnia (premature waking, getting around 3 hours sleep per night) for the last month. It started the week before my period returned, so at first I assumed that that was why. However, it’s continued, and I just don’t know what to do. I’m going insane, slowly–depressed, disorganized, forgetful, irritable, impatient, weepy, etc–and I feel like I’m failing my husband and 4 month old son horribly. I love them both so much, and I just don’t know what to do. Any suggestions on what I can do or take to help? Ann
Response:
I don’t know if you’ve tried it, but chamomile tea is a great soother, and helps you fall asleep. Also, milk before bed as it has tryptophan in it which is a sleep inducer. (Turkey also has this which is why everyone wants a nap after Thanksgiving dinner 
Other than that, try to get a nap in during the day when your son does, although you don’t say if you’re working or not. Could you be pregnant? All I could do is sleep when I was first pregnant. Take it easy, and give yourself a break. Try not to worry too much. Worrying always wakes me up. Good luck! — Brynda (Mom of Jaidyn – 3, Korbin – 4mos & Kaitlin – 7 ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve had horrible insomnia (premature waking, getting around 3 hours sleep per night) for the last month. It started the week before my period returned, so at first I assumed that that was why. However, it’s continued, and I just don’t know what to do. I’m going insane, slowly–depressed, disorganized, forgetful, irritable, impatient, weepy, etc–and I feel like I’m failing my husband and 4 month old son horribly. I love them both so much, and I just don’t know what to do. Any suggestions on what I can do or take to help? Ann
Response:
Ann, I am so sorry that you are going through this difficult time. No one can possibly function with 3 hours of sleep for an extended period of time. You have been given some excellent suggestions by others posters and my idea is actually a combination of what has already been said. Sometimes people are reluctant to talk to their doctor about feeling blue or not being able to sleep. But I urge you to call your doctor first thing in the morning and make an appointment. Take the first appointment you can get with a doctor you trust – you may have to wait until next week, I don’t know. But try to get in as soon as you can. In the meantime, do avoid caffeine and try the herbal remedies, particularly chamomile tea. I use a tea called Nighty Night and have also used Sleepytime time, both of which are loaded with chamomile. If the herbal remedies provide you with relief, you can cancel your doctor’s appointment. But you will have made the appointment and do keep it if the herbal remedies don’t work. Hope you find relief soon. — Sara Mom to Nat (5/2/95) and Abby, still nursing (4/28/97) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve had horrible insomnia (premature waking, getting around 3 hours sleep per night) for the last month. It started the week before my period returned, so at first I assumed that that was why. However, it’s continued, and I just don’t know what to do. I’m going insane, slowly–depressed, disorganized, forgetful, irritable, impatient, weepy, etc–and I feel like I’m failing my husband and 4 month old son horribly. I love them both so much, and I just don’t know what to do. Any suggestions on what I can do or take to help? Ann
