After giving birth, sleep can be an issue for both new parents and for babies. Babies are not well-known for being good sleepers, which usually implies that you’re up all hours of the night feeding them. However, for some women, tiredness goes beyond typical and veers into sleeplessness territory. Following the birth of your kid, you might experience postpartum insomnia if you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep on a regular basis.
Postpartum insomnia affects some, but not all parents. It might be caused by hormone fluctuations or lifestyle adjustments, among other factors. When you’re dealing with postpartum sleeplessness, experts advise what you can do to get a good night’s sleep and when it’s time to visit a doctor for assistance.
What Causes Postpartum Insomnia?
Insomnia during the postpartum period can be caused by a variety of factors. One is due to hormonal changes that occur following delivery. Your estrogen and progesterone levels plummet dramatically after you give birth. These hormones control your body’s circadian rhythms, which are known as sleep-wake cycles. When your circadian rhythms are disrupted, you may be sleepier during the day and more awake at night.
The condition of restless leg syndrome (RLS) might be a cause for concern for new parents. According to studies, restless leg syndrome—an uncontrollable desire to move your legs while sleeping that disrupts sleep—can contribute to sleeplessness in anyone due to the continuous interruption of sleep.
How to Treat Postpartum Insomnia
There are a variety of lifestyle adjustments you might make to cure postpartum insomnia before seeking medical treatment. While some of these may be difficult to do with a newborn, your health is worth the effort.
Nap When Baby Naps
This is a tried-and-true piece of advice, and it works for sleeplessness as well. Make the greatest effort possible to obtain sleep where you can. While it may be difficult to get a few winks at the same time as your youngster, make sure you’re in the proper setting. Find a dark, cozy place to rest for a few minutes and catch up on your rest.
Keep a Schedule
This is more difficult than it appears with a baby, but if you make an effort to fall asleep at the same time every night, even if your baby’s wake-ups are unpredictable, your body will benefit. It’s important to follow good sleep hygiene and create a pleasant sleeping environment as well as keep to the same sleep pattern each night.
Make Sure You Have Support
If you can, get someone to help with the baby. If you’re having trouble sleeping and your baby is waking up frequently, you may be suffering from persistent insomnia.
Talk to your spouse about sharing nighttime duties. Consider hiring a nanny to help you with part of your burden, even if it’s only for a short time until you’re feeling better. Overnight Newborn Care Experts can also help so that you can fall into a better sleep pattern.
Ease Off the Caffeine
You may be tempted to drink a strong cup of coffee in order to keep going throughout the day, but that just makes matters worse. Dr. Mike also advises against carrying energy drinks around with you when studying. These beverages can cause sleeplessness by accumulating in your body and adding to your sleep difficulties.
How Long Does Postpartum Insomnia Last?
Postpartum insomnia can last for a few weeks to months, depending on the individual. If your sleeplessness persists after your baby has been sleeping through the night, you may be dealing with chronic insomnia, which you should discuss with your doctor. You and your healthcare provider can develop a treatment strategy to help you get better sleep, since good sleep is essential to both your physical and mental health.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s crucial to be aware of how your postpartum insomnia is affecting you so that you can decide whether it’s time to see a doctor. Sleep deprivation isn’t simply feeling tired; it may also be harmful to your and others’ health.
In general, sleeplessness has been linked to heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, depression, and a variety of other illnesses. To avoid developing serious health issues, deal with sleeplessness as soon as feasible rather than later.
When it comes to postpartum sleep, there’s no doubt that new parents wish they could get more rest. If left untreated, postpartum insomnia can become quite severe. While being tired when you have a new baby is normal, experiencing insomnia to the point of not being able to function may be harmful. Make lifestyle adjustments if necessary and see whether they improve your sleep, but if not, speak with your healthcare provider about how you might solve your sleeping problems.
Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny wants to support you in the months to follow being a new mom. We have Postpartum Support as well as Newborn Care Services for all different occasions and needs. Reach out to us today at info@bostonbabynurs.com.
