Postpartum Sleep Deprivation & Insomnia Tips

Consider keeping a sleep journal to gain an overview of your experience include sleep and wake times, thoughts you have before and after sleep, worries that occur to you when you can’t sleep-anything you think might be relevant to uncovering your triggers or seeking treatment with your doctor if your sleep doesn’t improve. Recognizing patterns of behavior and thoughts that may be contributing to your postpartum insomnia may help you find some relief. Feeling overstimulated by new experiences with baby.Unfortunately, there have been few studies addressing postpartum insomnia and its causes, 4 but it might be related at least in part to these triggers: 2 But if the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep first popped up after baby was born-or has become more persistent since bringing baby home-they may be linked. Occasional insomnia-before, during, or after pregnancy-is normal. If staying in a deep, restful sleep seems impossible, even when baby is sleeping, this is also a way postpartum insomnia effects parents. Maybe falling asleep isn’t the problem but staying asleep is. New parents and parents of older babies who experience sleep deprivation are typically able to fall asleep quickly and easily whenever they get the chance parents experiencing postpartum insomnia cannot-even if they’re exhausted. There’s a small-but critical-difference between postpartum insomnia and the sleep deprivation most parents experience. Newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day 1-so why can’t you get some shuteye?Īre you experiencing typical postpartum sleep deprivation, or have you developed postpartum insomnia-and what’s the difference? Postpartum Insomnia Vs. You may find that when baby goes down for a nap or throughout the night you just can’t seem to fall asleep too. But it’s not always as easy to sleep when the baby sleeps as this advice makes it sound. While postpartum sleep deprivation is common, postpartum insomnia is different-and may lead to or be a symptom of other postnatal health concerns.Īll expecting and new moms and dads know this piece of parental common sense, often handed down by loved ones who’ve already dealt with being new-mom (or dad) tired. It’s no secret that getting a good night’s sleep with a baby at home is a challenge.

Breastfeeding insomnia help