Sleep is now more precious to me than diamonds. In my younger days, I used to have a good old rave to Faithless’s ‘ I can’t get no sleep’ and could happily survive on 2 hours sleep before getting up and doing full days work, but not anymore. Now 10 years and 2 kids later I need my recommended 8 hours sleep a night or I can’t function. My problem is that Charley has now filled my fluffy boots and is now raving the night away. Gone is the child who used to be put into her cot at 7 p.m and not stir until 6.30am the next morning. In her place is now a snarling monster who only sleeps between the hours of 10 p.m – 2 a.m. I will admit that I made mistakes with not having a bedtime routine with Harry and I am definitely no #SleepExpert but I learned my lesson and got Charley into a routine from 12 weeks old. Until recently this routine had worked brilliantly. It could be down to the house move or even the nights being lighter but madam is having none of it and if she’s not sleeping, neither am I. At least when she was a newborn and up every 2 hours for a feed, I was on maternity leave and at some point during the next day could take a nap but now I’m back at work trying to chair meetings and not fall asleep at my desk it’s seriously affecting my state of mind. Lee works away during the week so he can’t help me by getting up with her, so like it or lump it I am surviving on 3-4 hours sleep a night.
It got so bad that last weekend I drove the kids around to my mums and cried. It’s great only being less than a 2-minute drive away from my mum and having someone’s shoulder to sob on and feed me tea & biscuits while the kids play. I have written before about how amazing my mum is and she gets that I struggle juggling the kids, my day job, blogging and running a house so the kind soul she is sent me with my tea & biscuits up to bed for a few hours. My mum loves reading in bed so she has one of those fancy electric beds and it has an airflow foam mattress that makes you feel like you are laying on a cloud.Between the heavenly mattress and the gentle vibrating feature ( I don’t care if that sounds dirty, it’s amazing ) I was asleep within minutes. After 3 hours sleep and a big homemade Sunday roast, i was ready to take on the world and it just goes to show how important sleep is. A recent study by Adjustamatic said we should all be getting at least 8 hours which is about what I am getting over 3 nights. I am hoping that it’s just a phase Charley is going through and that moving house has unsettled her routine. I read the below fact sheet which I thought I would share with you and have taken a couple of bits of their advice by making Charley’s evening meal less stodgy and turning the thermostat down to 18 degrees. I have also made her nightly bath a bit longer and dimmed the lights down a little to make the environment more calming. As I said I am no #SleepExpert but I am willing to try anything so feel free to comment below with any pearls of wisdom you may have.
*** This post and my 3 hours sleep was in collaboration with Adjustamatic but all my thoughts and opinions are my own ***
I can definitely relate to the lack of sleep, anything that helps with more sleep for any of us sounds like a very good plan. I hope it improves for you soon x
SLEEP – Argggggg, it is the bain of my life. I suffer from Insomnia and have one child that just can not sleep!
Lack of sleep is the worst, I survive on so little that when I got 7 hours sleep the other night I actually grabbed my phone and told the world (ok Facebook) it was big news because it was so rare. I went back to sleep after the post and didn’t even remember posting it!
Ugh lack of sleep is the worst!! Aww I’m so glad that you were able to go to your mums for a sleep, sometimes that is all you need. Hope he sleeps soon lovely. #postsfromtheheart
I am definitely an expert on sleep deprivation! Tried all the gimmicks and advice from registered sleep experts but I have mainly had a pat on the back. I have now come to accept that because of Joseph’s autism he doesn’t need as much sleep. I’m a believer in there’s always something you can do but believe me, I have! Weighted blankets, expensive duvets, routines, sleep clocks.
Let’s hope it’s just a phase for Charley! X
#PostsFromTheHeart
We’ve been quite fortunate as Rory is a brilliant sleeper but when he went through the sleep regression stage it was so difficult! Sleep is so important but I’m sure you’ll little one will get there eventually ❤️
#postsfromtheheart
An electric bed? What is this you speak of? I want one! #postsfromtheheart