Is there a sleep aid that is safe to take while breast feeding????

Question

My baby used to only sleep 90 minutes now he sleeps from 6-8 hours and I am still waking up every 90 minutes. It is real bad because I am so tired and have a hard time falling asleep once I wake up. I hate it because I am such a grump because I am so tired.

Answer 1

Probably your safest bet would be to drink warm milk. I know that's not the most efficient way to sleep, but it's safest.

Do you have a good milk supply? If you, you can try regular Benadryl. It will make you drowzy, but has also been known to decrease milk supply, so if you're struggling, it's not a great idea.

Of course, double-check this with your doctor before you do anything.

Answer 2

Not that I am aware of, all sedatives pass into the breastmilk and are a SIDS risk. Also if you take one you will probably really feel worse waking up that often.

You could maybe try melatonin, that should be safe. I don't know if it really works though.

I fell your pain my baby was like that for a long time, except he would sleep 10 hours at night so that made it liveable. Nap with him if you can (I can't nap most of the time). Try to get someone to take him for a few hours while you sleep.

Co-sleeping saved me though. If I had to get out of bed I would never get back to sleep. I attached a crib to my bed with one side removed with the mattresses level. I shoved a rolled up blanket between the mattress and the far side of the crib to make it tight tight tight. I also put the crib lower than the headboard so the baby couldn't roll into my pillow. This way the baby can't roll out of bed. It is hard for you to roll on the baby (though really that isn't likely but if you are REALLY tired it could. You could also put a positioning pillow between the babies belly and you to stop you) And if you share the bed you don't have to worry about your partner rolling on the baby as they would have to get over you first.

You could also try a co-sleeper, sometimes you can get them free on freecycle. They are smaller and slightly lower than the mattress so you absolutely can NOT roll on the baby, but you can breastfeed (maybe).

Best of luck, it will get better (when they turn 12 years old *sigh*) Actually I found it got a lot better at 3 months like everyone said it would. Though my babe still wakes every three hours (he is 8 months)

Answer 3

there is none that is safe remember your intake is your baby intake you need to try to adjust to your baby sleep hours but 6-8 hours seems to be to long maybe every 90 minutes you need to wake up your baby & then too much rest from you could be causing the grumpy

Answer 4

I'm going throught the exact same thing. She is 12 weeks old now...she has been sleep 6-8 hours for the past 2 weeks. I find it has been getting easier.....just takes time.

Answer 5

It's a good question but I am afraid you will have to adjust to her sleeping or give up breast-feeding. I wouldn't stop the breast-feeding because she or he gets a tremendous amount of nutrients from you. You can always ask your doctor, but I believe his answer would be no.

Answer 6

You shouldn't use anything while breastfeeding. try taking a relaxing bath or go for a walk in the evening to help you get to sleep.

Answer 7

It's your body clock going off. I dont think there anything you can take for sleep while breastfeeding but I would ask your doctor.

Answer 8

Yes Tylenol PM is fine to take while breastfeeding, I did with my kids. Call your OB just to make sure, But I am positive that it is fine.

Answer 9

No you can't take anything but you will adjust to the schedule in a few weeks ..it takes some time.

Answer 10

read the instructions. if it doesnt say anything about dont take while breast feeding it is ok or also go and see your doctor and see what they suggest that you do