This is a Type-A Parent paid post to discuss sleep issues, and to share a new insomnia resource from the National Sleep Foundation.
I’ve always been a good sleeper. I joke with my husband that I can sleep anywhere at anytime. I can sleep in the car (with someone else driving, of course), on the couch, with the lights on, music playing or the television turned on.
And then I got pregnant. Sleep went out the window. (Except during naps. Apparently my cat does NOT have sleep issues. I could definitely nap when I was pregnant.)
The end of my pregnancy was miserable when it came to sleep. Some of my pocket friends (twitter friends) joked that the hours I was awake in the middle of the night were the hours my son was probably going to be awake. This was, according to my pocket friends, my body’s way of training me to be awake at all hours. I did not like my body during that time. I also hated every person who recommended I sleep then, because once the baby was born, I wasn’t going to sleep again.
It was understandable after the baby was born, why I wasn’t getting much sleep. I mean, I had an infant. An infant who didn’t sleep through the night for 15 months. But now, over 18 months after that sleep-filled night, I still have problems from time to time with sleep. I actually brought this up to my doctor this week because I’m clearly not getting enough sleep and she was wondering the cause of my sleeplessness.
I have an addiction to technology. I love my phone. I love social media. And I love checking in on my pocket friends before I go to bed at night. My phone is also my alarm clock. Checking my phone constantly is one trigger preventing me from sleeping well.
The fix? (at least for me) Reading. And not on my phone. Reading a book at bedtime (and not the Sesame Street variety) has helped me relax. I’m not checking my phone and I don’t have my laptop in bed with me. (We also don’t have a television in our room, so that’s not an issue.) Reading was the solution for me when it came to solving this issue. But it is not as easy for some as it is for others.
I’ve had a few nights recently that I didn’t sleep well – and it had nothing to do with technology. It had everything to do with the stress level in my still-new-to-me job. I was responsible for events I had never been done before. Several nights, I woke at 1 or 2 in the morning thinking about the cookies I was making. I considered icing cookies at 2 in the morning. I was clearly out of my mind. Once those events went off without a hitch, I was able to get a good night’s sleep again.
And having a sweet cat beside me doesn’t hurt either. Seriously, Chloe is the best sleeper and obviously doesn’t suffer from insomnia. I cannot relate to her at all.
Do you have sleep issues? Even occasionally? What have you tried that has helped?
Be sure to check out a new resource from the National Sleep Foundation at sleepfoundation.org/insomnia – a good place to start if you think you have insomnia or aren’t sleeping. The National Sleep Foundation is your trusted resource for everything sleep – understanding how sleep works & why it’s important, learning healthy habits, creating a relaxing bedroom & bedtime routine, & finding solutions to your sleep issues.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I am one of those people that needs 10-12 hours a night. I usually don’t have much trouble sleeping, but I never seem to get enough.
Debbie Denny says
Stress is a huge factor when you can’t sleep. Thanks for the info.
Trisha says
Lavender on your pillow helps. A warm bath before bed and making sure all the “stuff” in your room is put away and it’s a nice and clutter free room.
teresa mccluskey says
I have the hardest time getting to sleep sometimes! Its from racing thoughts and children lol!
Kay Adeola says
I do not get many hours sleep but when i do sleep i sleep good.I can never sleep if i get to warm i get so restless and i hate it.
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Very helpful post! I find myself staying up too late from being on my laptop. Lately, I’ve tried to make a concerted effort to turn off all electronics and read an actual book. I agree that reading an old school book is much more sleep-inducing than reading on my Kindle or phone.
Carly Bellard says
I always have trouble “shutting down” for the night. If I get in bed before 2AM I will just stare at the ceiling. What really sucks is being sleepy all day and still not being able to sleep at night!
Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says
I have a horrible time with falling asleep. I swear my brain runs through the entire day plus a whole weeks worth before I can fall asleep. Drives me crazy! Reading is my go to as well. It helps wonders because I can read and lose myself in a book and then I eventually get sleepy and can fall asleep pretty quick. Though sometimes I read for hours and NOTHING. :/
Melissa says
Oh, I’ve been there! I sually need to put away my phone too and then I read.
Shell says
Finally getting a good mattress made an insane amount of difference in my sleep. Also, now I plug in my phone across the room when it’s time for bed. Then I”m not tempted to keep looking at it instead of sleeping.
melinda says
that book did not let me sleep. I stayed up for hours and hours trying to finish it.
Mickey says
I have never slept well, as my parents have mentioned a few times. It’s hard to deal with sometimes.
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
If I’m tired I can fall asleep any where and in any conditions. However, I go through bouts where I can stay up for over 24 hours without feeling tired. I hate those days lol
Kiwi says
Reading a book and smoothing music always works for me. I usually dont have problems going to sleep unless I have things on my mind.
Lisa says
I do and relaxation exercises seem to help me. With four kids, two of them 16 months, I expect some sleep deprivation though. 😉
Carly says
OMG 15 months? Don’t tell this new mommy that! Our little one is six months, luckily she’s a pretty good sleeper only waking up once most nights after about 9 hours.
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick says
Sleeping during pregnancy was so uncomfortable! I don’t have any problems sleeping now once I get myself to bed.
Danielle says
I am all to familiar with this subject. I am an insomniac actually diagnosed because of my PTSD. I usually sleep 5-6 hours every few days. My mind just doesn’t turn off. My psychiatrist has me take benedryl since the sleeping pills give me horrible headaches and nightmares. However I have become very productive and insomnia seems to work great for nursing school since I am always up and able to study.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
I could go to the Olympics for my sleeping abilities. More naps all around!
Michelle Christopher says
You’re cat is so cute. I am a hard core insomniac. I have tried cutting out caffeine, disconnecting from all my tech toys at least 2 hours before bed, establishing a bedtime routine and a ton of other tricks and tips. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me but it might help you. I also had a son that didn’t sleep through the night until about 18 months. It’s hard. Hang in there. It gets so much better.
Rosey says
My schedule’s pretty set and so far so good with sleep being okay. My husband can’t sleep though, if he’s got homework to do or a test to study for…it just nags at him until he gets up to do it. I’ll be glad when his school’s done, I don’t know how he”s functioning on so little sleep.
Jennifer says
Now with a baby I actually had to put a TV in the bedroom or else I would be falling asleep mid nursing sessions. Scary since I hold my son while nursing so I almost dropped him when he was 2 weeks hold. The TV helps keep me awake.
Veronica says
Insomnia has to really suck. I fall asleep quite easily. I always feel like I need more though
Beeb Ashcroft says
Insomnia and just plain sleep deprivation has been a big problem for me, to the point where I went to my doctor earlier this year. They weren’t really able to do anything for me, but thankfully that especially bad patch just sort of worked itself out. For me the main problem is that my work schedule is whacked all the time so I can’t keep consistent hours and burn both ends of the candle…so I’m trying to address the work and the sleep will take care of itself. Sounds like you are doing a great job of both coping and coming up with strategies to help the problem. I can’t read to put myself to sleep or I end up getting engrossed in the book and staying up late reading. LOL!
Christie says
I definitely have sleep problems as a blogger now. I have that mid afternoon tiredness too!
Dawn says
My husband is how you used to be. He can sleep anywhere, anytime. I am a totally different story. I get on one sleep schedule for a while and then it gets messed up and then I am on another. I have definitely dealt with my share of insomnia.
Liza @ Views From the 'Ville says
I’ve had insomnia on and off for the better part of my life. The thing that works most for me is to use blackout curtains in the bedroom, paired with a sound machine. Not a perfect solution, but definitely helps.
Marina says
A warm bath always helps. And my Mom says a hot glass of milk before bed too.
Amy Desrosiers says
Thankfully, I do not have any sleep issues at all. In fact I get around 8+ hours most nights.
krystalskitsch says
My husband has worked nights for a decade, so he has major sleep issues. It can be hard to get us on a regular schedule when he is up late!
brett says
i’m guilty of my phone in bed but honestly it’s where i finish supporting fellow bloggers at teh end of the day- I might pin or tweet from a post for a blog friend