My weird-ass sleeping schedule

[ljwrites]

For the past few months my sleep pattern has settled into something like this:

4-5 days of "bright and early" sleeping and rising, where I fall asleep between 9 and 10 at night while breastfeeding the baby*

1-2 days of "what do you mean, night owl? I saw the dawn light before I fell asleep" where I can't sleep for shit and stay up until 3-5 a.m.

It looks like my generally night owl body is adjusting to being a parent in a weird way, like I can't stay awake past 10 most nights but after a few days my body gets sick of that and stays up late to compensate.

I don't generally sleep in after late nights either, because a toddler who wants his mommy to wake up is a force of nature who will climb over you, poke you in the eyes, cry in your ear, and (in one memorable case) attempt to pull you upright by the hair. I look forward to the little angel's teenage years when I'll be paying him back--with interest.**

Idk if it's related, but I generally have more energy and procrastinate less these days than I used to. Not that I've become a perfect taskmaster--there are still items on my to-do list that I dread and try to put off--but I've certainly become better about deadlines. I noticed this kind of energy boost in the past when I managed to get a full night's sleep, too. It only took having a baby to get me to a better, if still strange, sleep schedule!

*Yes, the baby generally breastfeeds to fall asleep. Yes, he's going on 17 months old. Yes, we have failed big time at sleep training the baby, but I also suspect he's inherited his parents' jumpy nerves and has a hard time going to sleep in general without a lot of comfort. No, this will not be the last parenting excuse you will hear from me, far from it.

**Not really. I know teenagers do better with later sleep schedules and that's just their biological clock, and I'd prefer to let him sleep in. I'm an advocate for pushing back high school class times, too.

Comments

[dhampyresa]

I feel like I need a flowchart, lol. If it works, it works, though!

[ljwrites]

Last night was yet another pattern, falling asleep early and then waking up WAY too early (at 3 am, aided by the baby crying). Regular sleep, what's that? XD

[loopy777]

I'm not sure that 'sleep training' is actually a thing. Parents, try, sure, but it might just be a case of humans trying to find a pattern in factors too complex to influence in a meaningful or predictable way.

I once asked my own mom when I started sleeping on a regular schedule and through the night. She thought about it, and said, "Six for the schedule, nine for the whole night."

I promptly apologized.

[ljwrites]

Yeah, it's an ideal but I don't think I've heard of anyone actually conforming perfectly to it outside of parenting books. Having and managing a body is hard, and it shouldn't be a surprise those inexperienced at it have trouble. There are probably some hormonal and other issues going on, too.

Apologizing for the shit we put our parents through should be, like, a rite of passage or something.

[lb_lee]

I wonder if the act of breast-feeding itself might have some chemical thing helping you sleep those nights or something? Also, I figure it's not really harmful! That stuff is good for babies, isn't it? Just means he'll get bigger! :D

--somebody

[ljwrites]

I actually looked it up and oxytocin, which stimulates lactation and makes closer bonds between parent and child, may also help people sleep better and with fewer nightmares. I did notice I often conked out with the kiddo whether I intended to or not, and while general tiredness must contribute to it the breastfeeding definitely could be a factor, too.

Yesterday I also had a conversation with a friend who is taking a class on nutrition and anthropology. (He's also a poly trans guy, btw!) He's very positive about my breastfeeding the baby at 17 months. It's a big boost for the baby's immune system, and they lose interest naturally around 2 or 3 when they no longer need it. Mostly I love cuddling with him and it's an easy way to put him out at night. XD

Edit: I thought this was Sneak, but it's signed "somebody?" Did I just get the multiple equivalent of an anon ask

[lb_lee]

Hey, whatever puts the little guy (and you) out! You'll give him a tough immune system!

(Mori picked up a book of science comics at the free box, and there was an interesting one about bacteria and how they keep us healthy. Also some of the crazy things folks will do for bacterial reasons--I draw the line at eating rotten meat!)

--Mac

[lb_lee]

More or less. Couldn't figure out who was speaking! :p

--Mac