Sleep and a recent research study have been posted in the PPD blog world lately, for good reason.  I see no need to repeat it here when its said really well already at Lauren Hale’s blog Sharing the Journey and Katherine Stone’s Postpartum Progress, among others I am sure.

My son is almost four years old which puts my initial PPD crisis at almost four years ago.  Sleep was one of the major triggers (or rather, the deprivation of), but what I cannot get over is that I still have to be very careful about my sleep.  Was I always built that way and motherhood magnified it?  I am not sure.  But I do know it is a challenge for me personally.

It is hard not to lose my patience.  It is frustrating when I just. want. them. to. sleep.  When one kid wakes up, the other inevitably wakes up.  (I am convinced they have a conspiracy going.)  My husband takes one kid and I, the other.  And then pray for sleep to settle over us all.

Last night is a good example of this.  I actually had a good evening and got the kitchen quite clean.  I was looking forward to a restful night and a good day with the kids not hampered by the pressure of looming chores over my head.  No sooner had my head hit the pillow than my daughter started chattering away in her room.  Wide awake.

Did I mention I am a light sleeper? 

Long story short, I was not back in bed until 3:30am and Chris was dealing with our son until around the same time.  And then they slept late.  A whopping 7:30am.  Seriously.

How in the world does one get through the day on little sleep when one is susceptible to sleep deprivation issues in the first place?  I thought I’d toss out some ideas and I’d love to hear some ideas from other women.  I need them, too!

• Squeeze in a nap when baby or children have naptimes.
• Lay on the floor and rest, eyes open, while baby or children are playing next to you.
• Do not feel the need to be supermom and get everything done you had planned on.  Take it easy and be flexible with your plans.
• Caffeine?  (This is not an option for me personally because it contributes to migraine issues I have.)
• Eat well…not just that day(s) of little sleep.  Lots of sugary foods can make your body crash.  Those ups and downs are not fun.
• Count to 10, 100, 1000 – whatever it takes – if you are losing your cool.  Take a deep breath before responding to children and/or fussy babies.
• Know its always ok to take a break by putting the children in their rooms or cribs for five minutes or so.  They will cry, but they are fine.  Take a few minutes to take a breath.
• I know this seems obvious, but go to bed early!  Its so easy for me to use that time to get stuff done but it can wait.  

Any others?

Self-care & Healing