Is Tylenol PM Safe

Updated on October 05, 2009
S.L. asks from Sun Prairie, WI
12 answers

I have not been able to fall asleep lately and am considering taking Tylenol PM before bed. My son still wakes up a few times a night to eat though, and am wondering if it will make me too drowsy? I know it's safe for breasfeeding moms to take but is it a good solution to not sleeping? Has anyone ever tried it? I'd like to hear some mommy advice before I try it...thanks!

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So What Happened?

Hi Ladies, thanks for the responses. I know that taking melatonin while breastfeeding is not recommended because it affects your milk let down. I tried some Tylenol PM last night and I managed to fall asleep faster and slept pretty well too! Henry had great night sleep as well, which may have contributed to my great sleep. It's definitely not something I want to use forever, but it seemed to do the trick!

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R.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I don't know whether it's safe, but Simply Sleep I believe is Tylenol PM without the Tylenol.

I used Unisom while pregnant and that worked well for me.

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J.J.

answers from Omaha on

Tylenol PM is just tylenol with benedryl. If you don't need the tylenol, then I would just take the benedryl. Benedryl works for about 4 hours. So, I would take it in the evening when your baby falls asleep, so you can be alert when your baby wakes up to nurse. I also recommend you try to only take one benedryl, which is 25mg, at first to see if that will help you sleep. The adult dose is 50mg, so you might need the whole dose. Some people are sensitive to benedryl and only need one pill.

I've nursed 4 babies and had to take benedryl for allergies with an added benefit of helping me sleep at night! If I know I have to be able to wake up, then I take chloratrimenten for allergies at night because benedryl does knock me out.

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S.C.

answers from Omaha on

I don't think you should take it if you are still going to be getting up throughout the night. You will be drowsy. You may want to try melatonin....a natural sleep aid..you can find it with the vitamins in any store. It will help you be able to get to sleep easier each time after you wake up...it may take a couple of weeks of taking it before you notice the change. But that, in my opinion, would be better since you are still having to get up in the middle of the night. HTH!
S.

J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try Melatonin. It is herbal and you can find it with the vitamins. Both my kids have sleep disorders and this is a lifesaver!!

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S.K.

answers from Omaha on

I have taken Tylenol PM. It can make me have STRANGE dreams. My sister and daughter have this same issue with it, but my husband likes it. My sister's dr told her to take Benadryl at night to help go to sleep because it is non habit forming and it works better. It works great for my family. I do know a few people that get reved up on Benadryl though, so I guess you would just have to try it.

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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

i wouldnt recommend it. it does really knock you out, and you might not hear your son.

what always works for me (if you are not religious just ignore this part) is when i lay down i start saying a prayer, and it never fails; i have not finished a prayer yet! just pray for people you know, or family, for whatever. it doesnt even have to be that they are in need of something, but pray anyway.

otherwise, limit tv and computer about an hour before bed, do something relaxing like reading, that puts me to sleep too. :) make sure to get enough activity during the day, and make sure to get daylight hours starting as early as you can.

but for now, i wouldnt recommend any type of sleep aid. its amazing how hard you can sleep when taking those things, and your son might need you.

what worked for me is to bedshare. your son is old enough to move when something gets in the way of his face, just be careful about bedding and that kind of thing. when i was nursing, it helped so much that he was right next to me, and not only does nursing help baby sleep because of the stuff in breastmilk, but it releases a hormone that helps you relax and sleep easier too! :)

by the way, THANK YOU FOR BREASTFEEDING! :) :)
good luck. we all struggle with sleep. just do what you can, but avoid drugs for now. talk to your doctor and see if he has any other suggestions.
oooo... stretching before bed might help too.

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T.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Instead of Tylenol PM, try some melatonin. It's a natural substance that your body already makes, some people just may not make enough. It's much safer than Tylenol of any kind because your liver doesn't have to detox it out. You can buy it in a spray or a tablet at just about any health food store for a very resonable price.

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K.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I took it while I was pregnant (a lot) and I could still funtion enough to take care of my other child. I would test a night that your hubby could be on stand by. Just in case you don't hear the baby. But he should be able to wake you. Perhaps try one pill also.
Hope it works. It is beyond hard to funtion when your not sleeping. If it doesn't work talk to your DR and see what eles you can try.
Good luck
K.

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M.C.

answers from La Crosse on

I tried Tylenol PM when I was having trouble sleeping. But, I ended up stopping. My son wakes up occasionally in the night and when he did, I could barely keep my eyes open. Thankfully my husband was there to help. I only took 1 pill, too. I don't know what I would have been like if I had of taken 2. I suggest talking to your dr. Maybe he could suggest something for you. If he does, let everyone know!

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M.L.

answers from Dallas on

You should check the box for warnings about nursing and /or ask your DR or the pediatrician. I THINK that the medicine that causes drowsiness is the same active ingredient in Benadryl.
You can read the active ingredients in the Tylenol PM and then google to find out what they are.

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R.S.

answers from Des Moines on

I hear about so many women taking Tylenol PM to help them sleep, so it must really work. But, like you, I would be wondering about several side effects--night-time non-alertness, unwanted chemicals in the breastmilk, different sleep quality, etc...

I had actually not heard of it when I had to first tackle insomnia--or maybe didn't connect it with my personal problem because Tylenol is for pain and I didn't have pain. So I ended up finding all kinds of great things and they all seemed to work well for me. Melatonin isn't the only natural sleep aid (though I've never had problems with it when lactating). I will send you the same thing I sent a mom with a very similar question a few days ago (you might want to look up her post). http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?Ntk=products&... It's just a promotion I received recently that happens to put several great things on one page. It may not be the best resource, as it lists several melatonins and several things that I don't know about, but it's a start if you don't know where to shop. I personally use Calms Forte and another by the same company called "insomnia", the lavender oil, and one by Natra-Bio called "insomnia relief", and valerian (which I was told might make me feel a little groggy if not taken with lemon balm--so I avoided it if I was taking care of baby through the night). All of these and a few others I have used and had just as much success with as I have ever heard anyone having with Tylenol PM.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

My son takes Tylenol PM all the time and it is completely safe. However I would also recommend that you check out the tea aisle at the grocery store. Both Stash tea and Celstial Seasonings make a really effective tea to promote sleep. Since they are all herbal there is no caffine and have no side effects. Stash Tea makes Sandman Tea it tastes minty and Celestial Seasonings makes Sleepytime Tea. After you get he kids to bed make a cup of tea and sit and relax for about a half hour to an hour and you will find yourself relaxed and sleepy.
I hope this works for you.

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