Exhausted:) - Phoenix,AZ

I think anyone would be exhausted in your shoes. This is most likely due to your life at this time, and it will improve as sleep routines improve. A couple things come to mind...1) It takes your body and good six weeks to recover from a c-section and a year to recover from pregnancies - remember to get as much rest as possible and eat healthy, as well as drink lots of water. The water will actually do you more good than all the coffee. 2) Have your thyroid checked, a lot of women experience thyroid changes after pregnancy. 3) do you have a friend or family member who can stay over night with you, either for a few nights or once or twice a week, and get up with your older children during the night? Don't be afraid to ask for help..It takes a village to raise a family. 4) Can or does your husband take over night time duties on his nights off? Even if it's only one night a week, it will help you. Oh, and if you have someone to who will get up with your kids during the night...wear earplugs and resist the urge to help :)

Mel,

Keep your chin up. I am a mother of 3 ages 6, 4 and 5 months. Out of necessity, I am working M-F 4AM-7AM. I get between 4-6 hrs a night. Pretty much we went into survival mode once I went back to work when my baby was a month. I understand the physical pain and lack of mental clarity that comes from sleep deprivation. My older kids don't like sleeping alone in their beds so they started coming up to our room. We just decided to let them sleep together to alievate that concern. The other thing we did was purchase walkie talkies so that instead of coming into our room, they could "call out" to us on the walkie talkies. This helped a lot and is actually really fun for them. I try to sneak a nap in whenever I can. Fortunately my 4 yr old still naps and of course the baby too. I give my 6 yr old a huge stack of books and notebook and paper and set her up in the same room as we are in and she's happy for about an hour. This becomes her 'quiet time' and our nap time. The last thing I have recently begun is a regular exercise regime and eating 6 small healthy meals (protein, carb and veggie) every 2 hrs. This has done wonders for my stamina. It's hard to carve out the time to prepare the healthy foods ahead of time and to get in the exercise, but it's well-worth it in the end.

I know every person's situation is different. I only have 3 kids and you have 5. Your husband's schedule also complicates things. Maybe you can talk to your husband about maybe giving you about an hour or so when he gets home that he can stay up and watch the baby and kids so that you can get a little extra uninterrupted sleep. There's gotta be a way you all can compromise to get through this difficult time. I had a c-section as well and you really do need sleep to recover. As a stay at home mom, I understand the demands on you during the day. Do what you have to do. Some days, honestly, I'll turn on an audiobook and let the kids listen (Librovox.com) or if I'm really exhausted I'll turn on a good children's show/DVD so I can at least get 30 minutes. You'd be surprised what 30 minutes can do to your outlook.

Pam

It's no wonder you're exhausted, and unfortunatley, you may continue to be for some time, but you are NOT ALONE! I have 4 kids, the oldest is 5 years old. I am very tired! My youngest just turned 1 year old and I am just now feeling like myself again. I was even able to take up my old workout routine, but was sidelined by night time waking because the kids were sick. So, when you're up in the middle of the night, half asleep, please know there are other Moms up just like you : ) Oh - AND my husband works nights too, so I know first hand how it is to be on your own through it all. It is REALLY tough! You are a strong woman!

You didn't say why the older kids are waking. I would address that right away and get the other kids sleeping through the night. I insist my kids sleep through the night by the time they are 1 year old. I do that by letting them cry it out. I don't think it had any negative impact on them what so ever. In fact every one of them LOVES their bed and they really love to sleep and go to bed without any grief : ) But, that may not be your parenting style. Once everyone else is sleeping, you may find more peace. You said the baby sleeps from 12-6. I hope you are in bed before 12. Go to bed as early as possible, even if it means skipping some household chores at night.

It takes a full year for your body to get back to normal. Your hormones get back in balance and you just feel yourself again then. Until then, keep your chin up and know that those kids have the greatest Mommy in the world! God Bless!!

i agree with the previous post--have a blood test done to check your thyroid levels.

Mel,

Congrats on your new addition. I know how you are feeling. I had my newest addition in July and have two other boys both under five. My 4 year old sleeps really well but my almost 2 year old still wakes up. I have spoken to the doctor about my sleep issues and the only thing they could say was sleep when they sleep. If all the little oness go down in the afternoon for a nap then you do to. My Hubby works nights also so he sleeps during the day. If I can't catch a nap in the afternoon then when he wakes up I will grab a quick 30 minutes. This is enough to refresh me. I hope that helps a little. As Moms we have a habit not to ask for help but sometimes we need a little me time also!!!

Good Luck!

M.

Is a babysitter once in awhile a possibility?