Sleep?

alijns

Has anyone ever taken a sleeping pill?  I don't have problems falling asleep but I do have problems staying asleep or getting back to sleep after waking up.  I think my sleep patterns are just messed up after having kids because I've had to wake up in the night so many times in the last couple of years, especially recently with the baby.

I've taken a unisom but I feel like I'm in a fog the next day.  Has anyone taken a sleep aid that does't make you feel weird the next day?

Just so you know, I only plan on taking one every once in a while when I feel really sleep deprived and when my husband will be able to get up with the baby.

lilcrablegs

I have only taken one a couple times.  It didn't necessarily help me get to sleep faster, but if I woke up during the night I fell back asleep immediately.  That sounds like what you need... it was just Tylenol PM. 

DH used to take Lunesta and it worked really well for him.  Other than that, we just take Benadryl.

amy0887

I've taken Tylenol PM.  I only take half the recommended dosage and I take it around 8 so it has time to wear off.  Also, my doctor once told me to only drink caffeine in the morning.  That really works for me.  If I have Pepsi with dinner I will toss and turn all night.

aubie96

I've taken Ambien before but everyone responds to it differently.  Just ask your dr about it as it does have to be prescribed.  Have you tried just taking a tylenol PM?

I'm probably doomed for TOTAL lack of sleep when we have kids - I'll be a constant walking zombie!!!!  ha ha

kc0721

I've always taken tylenol PM, yet my mom has taken sleeping pills for a while now.  They give her bad side effects, such as, sleep walking.  She used to pick up the phone and call me, we would talk and carry on a conversation, yet when I mentioned it to her the next day, she had no recollection of it.  So she made "sleep calls" LOL.  She would also sleep walk in the night too.  She started halfing the dosage and that seems to work fine for her. 

Iove.wins

Sleepy Time is good... It's really mild, not habit forming, and really just helps you stay asleep.

I also like to use benadryl from time to time

hamillm

I have never really taken anything to help me sleep, but a few people I know have stuck with Tylenol or Advil PM or Benadryl.  Maybe you could take a relaxing bath before bed every once in a while?  I know with 2 kids that's probably impossible every night, but sometimes it helps me when I haven't been sleeping well for a few nights.

lilcrablegs

I forgot about Simply Sleepy.  DH takes that every once in a while - it's probably similar to the one AM mentioned.

PinkLadyRN1

Like the pp's said...try drinking less caffeine in the later part of the day.  You could also start off with Tylenol or Advil PM.  You could even half the dose to begin with....until you know how your body will react!  Start off small...and if it does not help....talk with your doc.  They may be able to give you something a little different to help you sleep.

Good luck!

DH&LS06

I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I wake easily and once I'm up, I'm up. I try not to depend on sleeping aids too much, but take a non habit forming, over the counter pill probably 2-3 times a week. I usually get something like Simply Sleep. The one I have in my cabinet now is just a CVS generic brand pill. It helps me have a restful sleep..I usually toss and turn and wake frequently and this helps me feel fully rested in the morning.

jaimeCRN

DH has this same problem.  He has found that sticking to a routine at night really helps him.  I know with kids that might be tougher.  He follows the same routine after 8 every night.  He will check his sports stuff on the computer, take a shower, and then lays in bed and relaxes for an hour.  Then at 1030 even if he doesn't fell tired he turns the light off and tries to sleep.  That has really helped him sleep better.  If that doesn't work he takes half of Advil PM. 

star21gazer

I have taken the generic Walmart brand sleep aide before.  It works with keeping me asleep and when I wake up I am not foggy feeling.  It works for me.