Before kids (you’ll hear this often) I was a phenomenal sleeper. I could have won a gold medal. Sleeping anytime, anywhere, or any place, was easy for me. Then, about a week after my first born starting sleeping in his own room without waking, I couldn’t seem to stop waking. I woke up every hour.
I remember laying awake in my bed breaking out in a cold sweat. Panic started to creep in. This was my only chance to get any rest and my body and mind would. Not. Cooperate. What was the matter with me?
I swear this went on for probably 6 months. I was desperate. I read boring books. I drank warm milk. I even resorted to sleeping pills. I hate pills. After taking the evil pills for a couple of weeks I was able to break the cycle. I no longer had insomnia and could sleep unmedicated, but I was still curious as to why this happened in the first place.
It wasn’t until after my second born starting sleeping through the night that I figured it out. I was no longer needed all night long and my body was in shock. People say you never sleep the same after having kids and I didn’t believe it until this happened.
I can now win a medal for being the lightest sleeper in the world. Another gold medal. I have to sleep with a fan on in the room for white noise, much to my husband’s dismay. I even took a battery operated fan camping. Who does that? Me.
Jen..
I have to sleep with a fan on too! I keep a box fan on beside my bed. AND little Missy…I also have a fan that clips on the table in our travel trailer so I have my night noise when we go camping…
Funny I didnt know this about you! It MUST be because I had kids! Im such a light sleeper as well…been told I could wake up if a mouse pooped on the floor in the middle of the night! (I know…gross.)
I have my fan going all night for hot flashes!
The sad thing is, it continues after your kids are grown. Sigh. I find copious amounts of exercise — especially yoga — really helps.
Exercise has helped my sleeping issues quite a bit. It’s just hard to find the time! I know excuses, excuses.