How to Get Mom to Sleep Through the Night

I like Ambien (there is generic now). I ask to be precsribed the 10 mg, but then split the 10 mg 2 to 3 ways depending on how much I feel I need at the time. It doesn't make me as drowsy (if any) as Tylenol PM or Benedryl because I may need to still get up during the night to assist my kids. My OB first introduced it to me after I had my 1st child.

I've always had issues with trying to get to sleep. Tylenol PM seems to make me drowsy the next morning and I don't really like taking sleep aids anyways. What works for me is Melatonin....it's a very small dose, it's natural and it really works! Good Luck!

your body gets all funky messed up with the changing schedules. I would recommend you have your husband listen for the baby at night and you take the tylenol pm for a few days to regulate your body. get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time, your internal clock will be able to readjust itself if you have had good sleep techniques before and aren't a chronic insomniac.

Hi D.,
Kids were the start of my sleeping woes. I self diagnosed myself with anticipatory arousal - like drs on call and firefighters, you almost will yourself to a lighter sleep so you can hear when you are needed. After awhile, it felt like I was in the listening state all night. It also morphed into what I call busy head insomnia - making lists, thinking about important and often insignificant things, singing stupid songs, etc. Tried some meds and did not like them, plus heard so many sleep wandering stories. Did not really want to do Tylenol PM on a long standing basis either. There are many natural formulations that can help too as well as sleepy time tea. It does not sound like you have problems going to sleep but rather staying asleep.

What made a huge difference in my life was when someone lent me the Nikken sleep system. I was a huge skeptic, but was desperate to try anything natural. I started to notice that if I did wake up, I was able to get back to sleep better, my arthritis pains were not as bad (which could keep me awake), and even if I did wake up early, I felt more rested because the quality of the hours I did get were better. I realized it was deeper sleep when everyone was talking about a wind storm the next day and I was clueless! That felt good because I hear everything.

You can learn more about the patented technologies at www.nikken.com/sleepcenter and I can send you some research studies as well. It is the only sleep system endorsed by the Worldwide Federation of Chiropractics. If you are a non-smoking family, since you are local I could even lend you one to try for 2 weeks. Although sometimes I still wake up earlier than I like - do to hormones or situational stress, getting better quality sleep definitely has changed my life and my health.

The other thing I would stress is get all electrical devices out of your bedroom as well as any cordless phones and definitely your cell phone. Make it as dark as possible too. If you use an alarm clock move it across the room or go to livinghealthiernow.com to learn more about a patented technology that you can use on all these electromagnetic radiation emitting devices to lessen the impact on your cells, hormones, DNA and blood brain barrier. Lots of research, articles, info and even a TV show (starring me!) on keeping your family safer too. Don't let your kids talk or play with your cell phone (or cordless phone). A 2 minute call alters their brain activity for up to 1 hour. Nutshell, it all can impact your sleep cycles too.

Also work on your sleep hygiene - how you prep to go to sleep. Look at what wakes you up - need to go to the bathroom, too hot, too cold, snoring husband, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions on any of it. Hang in there.
S.

Talk to your doc. I have had chronic insomnia at least since I had kids, and it started affecting my health (especially since my oldest is 10!) The doctor prescribed ambien and told me to take it every night for a week. That can help reset your body to a better sleep schedule. After that I take it just as I need it. It's not addictive and IMO it's safer than taking Tylenol PM or whatever, because your only getting the meds you need, nothing extra.

I've had the same problem after both my kids! I would try Tylenol pm for a few nights then try without. It usually only takes me a couple of nights to reset my schedule.
An herbal tincture I used while pregnant for sleep issues was Skullcap. It worked wonders... but you have to get in bed and get settled down before you take it other wise it won't work.
Good luck and sweet dreams!
S.

Lavender tea always works for me. I buy dried lavender leaves at Vitamin Cottage in their bulk herb section. Steep the tea in a steeper and add some honey. You can also mix it with camomile for a nice flavor. This always works for me. In fact, it works so well, I can't drink lavender tea and drive. It knocks me out! You might want to try this first since it is natural. Good luck and sweet dreams!

I really like Melatonin. It's natural, non addictive & cheap!You can buy it at Vitamin Cottage or even Target.
I do have more vivid dreams than usual with it, but it's not a problem. It puts me to sleep gradually & feels gentle to my body. I found that TylenolPM made me feel very groggy & drugged. Ambien is the best, however it's a drug! I think it's OK once in a while,because I do know people that are hooked on them. My recommendation is to try the natural routes first. Deb K mentioned some nice lotion ideas, maybe combine that with Melatonin. Good luck!

Prayer. I don't know if I should admit that praying puts me to sleep! It works. Ask God to help your mind and body relax. Memorize Psalm 4:8. Give Him your worries and concerns. He will never fail you!

T.

I think your body and mind have gotten in a pattern that can be hard to break. If you can get a few good nights of sleep, it may reset that pattern. I started having trouble with waking too early in the mornings and becoming sleep-deprived because of it. I'm actually a huge fan of Tylenol pm if it's only used occasionally, and a few nights of it may be all you need to break your cycle. One of the posts said it doesn't last all night, but that is actually not true. If I am having trouble with waking too early in the morning, that is the one way I can insure myself of sleeping all the way through. It is not habit-forming, either. The biggest drawbacks are that it will occasionally give you a 'hangover'- you might be really groggy on waking and stay that way for another hour or so. This doesn't happen every time, and it does go away fairly quickly. You can avoid this for the most part by not waiting too late to take the medicine, and you can also go to a half dose, which is one pill. The other thing is, if you take it too often it won't work as well. Although if this happens, stopping taking it for a while will your resistance to it will diminish and it will work again. And it doesn't carry the risks of sleepwalking, etc. that some of the prescription meds can cause. I have found it to be a lifesaver on occasion, and make sure there is always some in my medicine cabinet. Good luck with whatever you do!

Just like a child needs a bedtime routine, an adult should have one too. Try doing relaxing things before bed. If that is not the problem, it could be that your body has adjusted to less sleep and is automatically waking up when it;s rejuvenated.

I am not sure how long your little one has been sleeping through the night, but it may just take a little bit for your body to realize it can sleep longer again. Good luck!

Have a GREAT day!

S.

When my 5 month old was born I got worried sick about blood clots. I could not sleep. Tylenol PM helped me out and lotion with lavender, and singing in my head (this sounds funny) 99 bottles of pop on the wall. If you don't go back to sleep don't worry over it and lose more sleep just get up and start moving for the day. It will eventually go away. There are also some great natural herbs you can take if you aren't nursing. Their are a couple you can take if you are. Ask your local herb store

It is so normal because you were on "half awake" mode for so long to continue to wake up. I had difficulty recently staying asleep not falling asleep. What helped me big time was before bed drinking Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime tea with Valarian in it, then I got some Bath and Body lotion aromatherapy sleep lotions and would put that on my arms, it is awesome stuff. It helped me and not much else before did.
Tylenol PM basically has benadryl in it, it doesn't last all night, it more for getting to sleep but not staying asleep. Do something maybe that will help you stay asleep and not wake up drowsy. I had tried Ambien before, Excedrin PM and the one thing that seemed to do the trick was the valarian tea before bed and the lotion. It is Lavendar and chamomille natural relaxing smells.
Your brain is still in the mode on being alert for the baby, it just takes some time to adjust, it will happen though! Prep yourself as they change sleep patterns a million times too with growth spurts, teething so it won't always stay the same.
Good luck.

Look into Valerian at your local health food store. I don't believe it has any side effects. It just relaxes you.

Hi D.,
I have to agree with a few of the previous posts...either Tylenol PM or Benadryl. I have always had sleep issues (Can fall asleep but can't stay asleep) and have talked it over with my Doctor too. I try to break it up between Tylenol PM for a few months and then Benadryl for a few months (per the Docs suggestion). I have tried all the alternative, natural supplements (valerian, poppy, etc.) and they did nothing. Oh, one more thing, Tylenol PM was okay when I was pregnant, so you should be okay if nursing.
Good luck. I hope you get some rest!
B.

I'm with Patti. I use Tylenol PM or just straight Benadryl, 25 mg, usually kids, to get in the habit of sleeping. I do use it during allergy season for the obvious reasons, and get far superior sleep then, but other than that, I only use it when I can't get a good night's sleep. Usually 2 or 3 nights is all I need to be back in the habit. Since either way it's only Benadryl, there isn't a fear of "needing" it. GL!

Been there, done that, got my t-shirt. I learned that as wonderful as pregnancy and childbirth are, they mess with your hormones. I was suffering the same way you describe and talked to my doctor. I was treated for postpartum depression and anxiety and given sleeping pills. It really helped. As I got older and lost several pregnancies, I learned I also had a progesterone deficiency. The symptoms are very similar, but the diagnosis is done differently--with an actual test. I have been treated for that and occasionally have to adjust that therapy to remain 'normal'. There are so many things it could be, and so many options available to you, that it would be selfish not to at least talk to your doctor to make sure there isn't something that can be done to help you get your sleep. Your darling family needs their mommy to be her best and self treating and diagnosing aren't always the best way to get there. Good Luck!