I promise soon I will write a real blog post.
But for now, I am exhausted and yet I can't sleep or nap. Lil Red has been having some night waking issues all of a sudden and also, I'm just one of those people who has trouble sleeping anyway. I fall asleep and then I wake up at 2 am mentally wired, itchy all over, get an eyelash in my eye and various limbs going numb from being twisted into my bizarre repertoire of sleeping positions. I can't take good naps either, I feel exhausted but when I lay down I can't get comfortable. I hate it. My husband can fall asleep instantly but men are easier in a lot of ways, are they not?
Soooo, has anyone taken sleep aids while breastfeeding? I have never taken melatonin but I am open to it. I am actually open to anything right now as long as it won't harm Lil Red. I'd prefer something I didn't have to get a prescription for.
And here's a 4th of July that is about more than hot dogs, beer and illegal fireworks.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
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5 comments:
Hello Catherine R.
I followed a link from "Making Home" to your blog. I like your statement in your profile "looking for authentic faith" - me too.
Anyways, here is a link that you can cut and paste in your browser for some information on sleeplessness.
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/PHC?s=sleepless.
You might be able to find the product at a local market. Also, I like to drink chamomile or peppermint tea right before bed. I also stay away from sugar for hours before bed.
I usually pray too. 'Lord, I am tired, I want to sleep but I can't. Do you have something you want to say to me? Is there something you want me to pray about? Would you like me to read something in the Bible? Thank you that you are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Please help me to sleep.'
Usually, as soon as I start praying for others, I fall asleep.
Grace and Peace to you,
Mrs. Santos
You could try Melatonin, but look for it in a caplet that you can cut in half because it will probably pass through your breast milk. It will not hurt your little guy, though as it is the natural product that your body makes anyway. You could also look into any food allergies. I have a friend who can't sleep if she eats any wheat which she found out from going to a nutritionist.
I have also been wanting to tell you that I usually read your blog through my Google reader, but I do like your "remodeling". Very nice!
I take Valerian and Melatonin, but I can't remember if I did it when I was breastfeeding. I have sleep issues, too. It can be mind-breaking, and I will pray for you (at 2 a.m....when I'm up because my pillow feels suddenly flat, and I can't get comfortable).
Ask your pharmacist for something over the counter that's safe. It helps to have a professionals advice, especially when it comes to breastfeeding and the health of your baby.
Emmy
I use L-Tryptophan. Here in Canada I have to get a prescription for it from my GP and I'm pretty sure you do in the US too.
It is an amino acid that boosts your melatonin production at night so you can sleep and serotonin production during the day so you feel happier.
It's totally safe to use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, etc...and is non-addictive. Plus, unlike sleep aids that knock you out cold, you will still be able to wake for your little guy if he needs to be fed during the night and then get back to sleep.
Health food stores sell 5-HTP which they claim in the same thing - it's not! L-Tryptophan crosses the blood-brain barrier which is necessary for it to boost your melatonin production, the 5-HTP does not.
Good luck! I was caught in the same vicious cycle of not sleeping even when my baby was and becoming so physically drained I couldn't sleep properly and on it went until I asked for help.
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