DH vs. Insomina

DH bought a new bedstead and mattress for us in town centre in Crewe. He got a memory foam mattress that felt good to him in the store, and now he thinks that it's "too soft". But, I think it's great, and I haven't slept better.

DH hasn't slept with anyone else in all of his 39 years(don't know why, but, I'm personally not that bothered as it means I don't have old gf's in his past to contend with). When he came to see me in the States, it was always a few days of whinging and mythering about not being able to sleep, not getting any sleep, etc etc. But, he's always slept on the same single sized bed for the past....who knows how many years.

Long story short-how do I help him get to stay asleep? I've tried moving as little as possible, so that he doesn't get disturbed. I've Sterimar-ed my nose so that I don't get congested and snore. I'm being patient, because I know that he's got to get used to a lot of things, just as I have, but, I want to know how to help him so that he'll get the rest that he needs.

I've told him about chamomile and lavender, but, those seem like temporary fixes. I checked Webmd today, and there wasn't anything revolutionary.

He doesn't smoke, he doesn't drink. He doesn't drink cola, he only has one cup of coffee in the morning. He doesn't even nap in the day. He just can't stay asleep, the poor luv.

did he sleep okay with the old mattress?

Do you guys run a fan at night?  I had the hardest time sleeping forever and then I started running a fan.  It's white noise so it distracts you from the other noises (i.e., the house settling, cars going down the street, the wind, etc.).  This works for some people and doesn't work at all for others...just a suggestion.

Do you guys run a fan at night?  I had the hardest time sleeping forever and then I started running a fan.  It's white noise so it distracts you from the other noises (i.e., the house settling, cars going down the street, the wind, etc.).  This works for some people and doesn't work at all for others...just a suggestion.

We haven't run a fan in the room, but, we do have a small one. I'll see if we can try it tonight.

did he sleep okay with the old mattress?

he said that he would sleep ok-ish with his old mattress. certainly more hours than he does now. he says it started when the former neighbours (from like, 5 or 6 years back) had a pet rabbit that used to bang a water dish around at night, and that banging woke up DH, and apparently, he's never slept the same since.

You could try a white noise machine or get one that plays your choice of white noise, ocean waves, jungle noises, etc. I certainly don't have a problem falling asleep, but I love those and hear they've worked for other people.

Perhaps he could try getting some exercise after dinner? When I used to play racquetball a couple of hours before bed, I'd fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I use Valerian and magnesium together when I can't sleep.  It helps me fall asleep quickly and I wake up with no grogginess.

Melatonin works well.  Just take it every night about the time you would like to be sleepy.  It is a natural supplement that helps to encourage your brain to be sleepy.  I used it in college and it worked great.  Don't know if they carry it in the UK or not. 

Good luck 

Ear plugs?  That is what helped me.  I think I was just anxious for the next noise to wake me up.

Melatonin works well.  Just take it every night about the time you would like to be sleepy.  It is a natural supplement that helps to encourage your brain to be sleepy.  I used it in college and it worked great.  Don't know if they carry it in the UK or not. 

Unfortunately, you can't get melatonin in the UK, but if you ask at the health food store they have a sort of equivelent (i think it's called serotone). I always bring some melatonin with me when I return from the states, because it's also a great way to sleep and get rid of that jet lag. But if you happen to have melatonin lying around, it's great!

Lisa

Ear plugs?  That is what helped me.  I think I was just anxious for the next noise to wake me up.

my boyfriend sleeps with earplugs (even when he's on his own)... for the same reason.   There might not actually BE a noise, but he is worried that there *might* be a noise, and that worry is enough to stop him sleeping.

These are all the same reasons I sleep with a fan on...it drowns out all the nonsense.  Also when it's warm and you actually need a fan, you're used to the noise already (because some people CAN'T sleep with white noise...or take a long time to get used to it).  I used to live in an old creeky house with birds chirping all night, crickets, wind, etc. 

I personally don't see how this helps, but Tim always has a cup of hot chocolate before bed - he claims it helps him to get to sleep.

Does he drink tea? I also found that once I switched to Redbush around 5PM, I slept a lot better!

Maybe the hot chocolate has a lot of milk in it? Hot milk has triptophan which aids in sleep... add some honey for flavor...

Maybe the hot chocolate has a lot of milk in it? Hot milk has triptophan which aids in sleep... add some honey for flavor...

*nods* he makes his with milk..but I always thought chocolate had caffeine in it, which is what has me confused.

Hmmm....I've read the posts, and they all seem like great ideas.

Still haven't tried the fan, because I forgot to bring it upstairs from the front room.

Him and his family are one of the few families that don't drink tea, so there's none in the house.

I could tell him about the warm milk, but, that would be a bit of a chore, as his dad brings in the night time drinks, which DH usually has a glass of tropical orange juice. But, anything's worth a try!

Thanks everyone!!!!!