I have had Rory on a bedtime routine from the time he was probably a month old. It's helped him establish what "bedtime" is apart from just another nap. It helps wind him down from playing and calm down for bedtime. We start with a bath, put on jammies and lotion, read a couple of books, hugs and kisses, then fuzzy blankie and put him in the crib.
I suffered from some post-partum anxiety when Rory was very colicky, I would get extremely worked up to go anywhere in case he started crying, every time he woke up from a short nap I felt like I wanted to cry and give up, I felt like I had no control over my life. I would lay awake at night panicking about how I would get through another day. Would he cry all day tomorrow? Would I get to shower? Would I get to eat lunch? Would I find time to get dressed? Once I got Rory on a schedule and I was able to anticipate how my day was going to go I started coping a lot better. My anxiety level during the day was much better, but my insomnia was getting worse.
One month I took Nyquil almost every night to go to sleep. It took me on average 2 hours to fall asleep no matter what time I went to bed. My mind would race and jump to all kinds of places, not necessarily worrying, but just THINKING about stupid stuff. The longer I tossed and turned the worse my anxiety got. Eventually I would be in such a full blown panic I would crack open the Nyquil. Once I finally fell asleep Rory would wake up to eat and I would have to fall asleep all over again, another hour or two. After a month of that I decided I couldn't do that anymore. No more Nyquil for me. Plus I had run out haha. After another couple of months with nothing changing and feeling like a total crazy person I decided I needed to do something to help me fall asleep. I didn't want to take anxiety medication, or sleeping pills, so I researched ways to help insomnia via the good old internet. I needed to shut my mind down and wind myself down and prepare my body for bed.
1. I put my phone away at least an hour before bed. No more cruising instagram before bed, no more texting conversations late at night. I found that stupid things I'd read or seen on social media would pop into my mind while I was tossing and turning at night.
2. I take a bath every night. Legit. I use Bath & Body Works essential oils aromatherapy blend SLEEP or STRESS RELIEF to help me wind down and calm my mind.
3. Last but not least I watch Full House on netflix during my bath, and before bed. Started in Season 1 you guys. This is no joke. For whatever reason Full House completely shuts my mind down and helps me feel totally calm. It is such a nice "feel-good" show!! Once I'm done my 2 episodes I close down the lap top, roll over and go to sleep
It's not an exact science. Some nights I still have insomia, but having a bedtime routine has definitely helped!!!! I was soaking in the tub one night when it dawned on me that essentially Rory and I have the same bedtime routine hahaha. I am like a little baby who needs structure and routine. But I'm telling you you guys... bedtime routines work. Rory and I will vouch for them anyday! Now I gotta get off of here, it's time for my bath! Night all!
