Any insomniac moms?

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

So, everyone says that in order to handle a NB you need to sleep when your baby sleeps. My problem is that I have an impossible time falling/staying asleep normally and am worried that I will never be able to do this. Has anyone else struggled with their own sleep and how has a new baby affected that? Any chance the hormones make it better?

[H.Starr]

I used to be a champion sleeper when I was like 18-20. I could sleep 20+ hours at a time, no problem.
Then I got pregnant and stopped sleeping all together. My dr. gave me Ambien and I took that through my entire pregnancy. It made me sleep, but I always felt unrested the next day.
Once my son was born, I was a mess. I couldn't take Ambien anymore because you have to have a minimum of eight hours consecutive sleep time to take it. So I didn't sleep at night, and I COULDN'T sleep during the day. When he would nap I wanted to sleep SO bad, but my body said "Its daytime, you're staying awake."
It was a miserable period of my life, but I survived.
Once he started sleeping through the night (six weeks old, 10-12 hours at a time) things got a lot better for me. Even though I didn't SLEEP 12 hours, I got to stay in bed that long, so it helped.
I finally just went to a dr and asked for new sleep medicine, and I now am taking restoril. Its not supposed to make you feel like crap the next day like Ambien does.
Once your baby is sleeping more than eight hours at a time at night, I would definitely suggest taking some sort of sleep aid, whether its prescription or over the counter.
Until then, try to sleep when he/she sleeps, or else tough it out like I did. I promise you won't die, even if it feels like you might. :)

[Zack_Jenn]

I always had sleep issues before my children were born, but afterward at night I was so tired I didn't have anymore problems. I tried to nap during the day when the baby napped, but that would make it so I couldn't sleep at night so I wouldn't recommend trying it. Good luck!

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

Thanks for the advice. How did you get your baby to start sleeping so much at 6 weeks - that sounds like a dream! Did you BF? B/c I am worried about how the drugs will affect that. Before I got pregs I took Lunesta which was incredible, but like Ambien, you need 8 hours. Good point about the napping/night sleeping also. Feels good to feel the support.