Anyone else suffer from insomnia when NOT bed-sharing?

[Asparagus78]

When DS1 was 6 m/o we transitioned him to a crib in our room. I ended up with the worst case of insomnia ever. I did not sleep more than 2-3 hours a night even though DS1 was sleeping 3-hour stretches. Eventually, we resumed bed-sharing and sleep returned. Now that DS2 is almost 5 m/o, DH offers to take him (DH sleeps in a separate room with DS2) so I can sleep until he really needs to nurse. But I cannot sleep without him cuddled next to me! No matter how exhausted I am, if he's not right next to me, I cannot sleep. What is up with that?

[mommariffic]

My daughter is 2 1/2 and I'm the same way. When she goes to her Grandparents for the night [she co-sleeps with G-ma] I am wide awake, or else waking up several times during the night feeling just..lost, it's pathetic! I don't even enjoy having the whole bed to myself because I'm so used to snuggling or just having my small space/being next to her.

[ps4624]

I am so glad someone else has the same issue I do. The kicker is that I am exhausted - my DD has never SSN and nurses all.night.long. However, if she isn't right next to me, I'm wide awake, feeling like something is missing.

I guess I just can't win!

[Just1More]

Yeup, me, too.

It happens to me when dh deploys or is gone overnight, too. I have the hardest time falling asleep. After a while, I adjust and can, but the adjusting is tough!

I read somewhere that even when you are asleep, your mind is registering sounds and, specifically, smells. The sound and rhythm of the other person breathing, as well as their personal smell helps you to feel safe and sleep deeper. I read it a long time ago, but it really was an interesting article.

[St. Margaret]

Totally! It's been a transition to go to bed sans Sophie. (But I made it, although I like cuddling her for a stretch of sleep, too!)

[Katie T]

I too can't sleep if my littles aren't in my bed. When they fall asleep someplace else I try to sleep and can't and go grab my sleeping child and bring them to my bed so I can finally sleep. lol

It does get better as they get older with my oldest when she was about 5yo I was able to finally learn to fall asleep without her in my bed.

[L'sMama]

It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this. Me tooooo!!!! My DD is 2.5 and we've bed-shared up until now. I'm trying to go down to part-time and it's hard because I miss the cuddles so much, yet I'm also having more interrupted sleep due to my DD's tossing and turning. Is this a conundrum for some co-sleepers/bed-sharers?

I do feel sleep is better with her in bed with me though. I wonder if I'll ever be okay to sleep alone?

[Asparagus78]

Originally Posted by Just1More

It happens to me when dh deploys or is gone overnight, too. I have the hardest time falling asleep. After a while, I adjust and can, but the adjusting is tough!

I read somewhere that even when you are asleep, your mind is registering sounds and, specifically, smells. The sound and rhythm of the other person breathing, as well as their personal smell helps you to feel safe and sleep deeper. I read it a long time ago, but it really was an interesting article.

That makes a lot of sense. DH also travels for long periods at a time, and I also find it hard to sleep when he's gone. And to think I used to love sleeping alone....