Insomnia and co-sleeping

[nicoletti]

I am hoping that someone can help me.

I have had insomnia for the last 3 months. What this has looked like is me waking up at 3:30 and not getting back to sleep. Last night, I woke up at 11:40 and didn't get back to sleep. While my dd does sleep with us (she is 7 mo) usually, I am awake and she is sleeping.

Needless to say this is getting to the point of becoming dangerous. I am in counseling as I have been dealing with my father's sudden death and it is the first year anniversary in a couple of week as well as other various stressors. My doctor prescribed a sleeping pill (zopiclone) a couple weeks ago but I have been afraid to take it.

Has anyone had to deal with Insomnia while breastfeeding and co-sleeping? Does Hylands Calme-Forte work? Valerian? Melatonin?

I am getting to the point of putting her into the crib, giving her a bottle and letting her cry it out as I just don't have the strength anymore to cope.

[maptome]

melatonin cured my insomnia. it changed my life. s

[Louisep]

Hugs. I've had insomnia on and off throughout my life and the only long-term fix was acupuncture (sleeping pills only work while you're taking them and I'm not sure about the safety with cosleeping). Before acupuncture (I was a total skeptic btw), I would go through 3 month phases of not sleeping and then be normal for awhile. Maybe it will resolve itself for you?

Is there a time of the day you can always sleep? For me it's early morning when I need to be getting up. Now dh takes ds during that time so I get 1-3 hours of sleep depending on the day. It has saved my sanity numerous times.

Defo look into melatonin too and simple chamomile tea (but you have to be consistent with the tea and won't see results straight away).

I feel for you, I really do.

[K-Mom3]

I am currently dealing with insomnia. My 16mo baby is now sleeping in her own bed, in another room. She still wakes up during the night but sometimes goes easily back to sleep, sometimes I help her back to sleep and sometimes dh takes her and I don't even wake up! That part seems like a miracle!

BUT I have this awful insomnia. Melatonin helps me sometimes but sometimes it just makes me groggy all the next day. I do best when I go to bed at 10:30 or 11:00 but sometimes even then I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep.

The book "The Mood Cure" has a section on sleep. I've considered taking 5-HTP for some other depression symptoms--according to this book, it can help with sleep. Since you said you're greiving....I thought that might be helpful to you as well.