hi moms.
i think this is all related to lack of sleep, and wanted to see if anyone else experienced it. i have a 5 week old who still eats every 2-3 hours so i am not getting a lot of sleep at all. On top of it I have a 3.5 year old who needs a lot of my energy/attention....so I am wiped. most days i have a pretty bad dull headache (if i take advil i get some relief). is this all sleep deprivation/newboen stress? anyone else go through this? kinda freaking myself out.
thanks everyone so much! i had no idea this was so common! i feel better knowing it's part of the territory and i plan to get in as many naps as I can and have a lot of advil on hand till sleep becomes a little better!
I lived on advil for 5 months when I brought my daughter home from the hospital. I have a 3 year old and was totally exhausted and very sleep deprived. Eventually the headaches got better when I started getting more sleep. Hang in there!!
Lack of sleep is one of my biggest migraine triggers... even if you can't sleep, try to take 20-30 minutes to lay down with your feet up and a cool washcloth over your eyes... and breathe. I put myself in time out, tell my kids and husband they can't bug me for 27 minutes! Saves my sanity too ;) Stress also brings on headaches.
Also, watch how much caffeine you drink in the morning. I started drinking 1/2 caff coffee and it's made a WORLD of difference!! If I feel a headache coming on in the afternoon, I take 2 excedrine migraine, and it's gone before I know it :)
FEEL BETTER!! :)
Just one more thought...after I had my son I felt stressed and started clenching my teeth during the day and at night while I slept, and that caused some headaches. i went to the dentist and now have a night guard that helped ease the pain.
I agree that is probably stress and lack of sleep...those first few months with 2 are rough. It does get better. One other thing to note is that a friend of mine had really bad headached related to the epidural. Not sure if that could be contributing. Good luck. :)
*HUG*
Do you have any friends or family who can watch the kids for a few hours so you can get some rest?
Can your husband do 'Daddy Duty' and watch the kids while you take a warm bath or nap?
Oh yes. I get sleep deprivation migraines--doctor's term--when I don't get enough sleep. They started about 4 or 5 years ago. They have been so bad at times to the point of going home and putting a very cold rag on my head to get rid of it. Excedrin helps alot. I was actually thinking yesterday though that I have not had one in a while and I have not been sleeping well at all.
I was in your exact same boat with my kiddos. A sweet, precious friend who I still hold on a pedastal for her act of kindness came and took my older son to her house for. . . 3 days and 2 nights - WOW! I know I finally got my sleep caught up and the aches went away.
SO - yes sleep is needed If you have a friend or can call in the family calvary to help you out - you'll feel tons better!
Good luck!
I think you are exactly right that it is sleep deprivation. I am also going through it (same ages of kids) and have become a gold card member at Starbucks. Seriously, one cup of coffee makes a HUGE difference, and it is not enough caffeine to negatively impact your baby if you are breastfeeding. I try to get out for one walk a day as well (normally to Starbucks) and that helps! Hang in there!!
I have a 12 day old boy and a 3 1/2 yr old girl. I havent been sleeping much and also experiencing headaches. So you are not alone. Its all due to the lack of sleep. I feel for you and wish you luck.
Sorry.... it does get better though...I hope you feel better soon
Yes this does sound like lack of sleep. I dont know if you are breast feeding already or not. but what I have adviced the mom's I have worked with is if they are breastfeeding they can start to pump. The reason I say this is for these main two reasons. This will allow you to not only be the one who has to wake up to feed your baby but your husband or another family member can help so you do get some sleep at night. Besides the mom's breast milk is very rich and creamy this results to having the mom's nipple a little slipery. I dont know if you have experienced it especially at night time that your infant will eat a little then kind of doses of but then 5 / ten minutes later he wants to eat again... this is because for the babies to latch on the breast is more of a work out. he may not neccessarily be full but tired so they rest.
Also, pumping will help you clearly see how much he is eating. this will help a great deal when you trying to get them on a consistant schedule and you will really know if he is eating enough as babies are supposed to eat twice their body weight in a 24hr period or close idea if they are getting enough.
Either way you do need sleep, I hope this helps if you still need some more insite feel free to send me a message. I am not a mom but I have been taking care of babies for the past 10yrs from triplets to twins...and have been working an an infant sleep trainer for the past 5+yrs.
I hope this helps
N. (star)
headaches will be common for awhile. With just one child, the load is a bit lighter. Try to sleep when everyone is napping and definitely co-sleep if breastfeeding - it will make your night much more restful.
Oh yes those first few weeks without sleep I always had a dull headache. I co sleep so I can doze while the baby nurses. Hang in there it goes be fast!
