Sundown scaries

This is so tough and scary, it was something I had no idea existed until I had my first baby, but it’s super common. There’s no real cure beyond waiting it out, but it will be short lived, days 3-7 were the worst for me and I’d say it took around two weeks to fully ease, but you won’t feel like this forever, you will sleep again and it’ll get so much easier!

Things I found helped were starting a bedtime routine, it helped me feel more in control, I also used the owlet monitor to help manage the panicked feeling. I think sleep deprivation and general overwhelm make things worse too, so if you can, have someone watch baby and try and have a little nap or a nice hot bath/shower so you’re not too exhausted, talking it out with people close to you, especially mum friends or your own mum was also really helpful for me to feel less alone, a problem shared and all that. Best of luck, hang in there, you’ve got this!!

Are you doing this alone or do you have a partner supporting too? My partner and I had a long stay in hospital with our little one and getting home we felt like we were 3 steps back and constantly playing catch up. I struggle massively with anxiety at night with our son. He is only 2.5 weeks old currently but I am already noticing it is easing every day. You will sleep again I promise 🤍

I have the same as you but its started to ease now I'm on day 8. I think having a routine has helped. At least until it inevitably changes

I have a really supportive husband who is looking after me a lot and is great at helping manage my anxiety. We did use the owlet but two nights ago we had two low oxygen alarms - one as I moved her but one as my husband was holding her and it’s totally panicked me. I think they were false alarms as it said her oxygen levels were 77% but she was pink and alert (I’m a medical professional so would expect her to be symptomatic if levels genuinely that low). She’s consistently pink and alert, feeding like a total dream, weeing and pooing lots so seems really healthy. I didn’t use it last night as a result but now it’s in the back of my mind and my anxious brain is telling me I’ll miss something. I don’t expect bad things to happen whilst holding her in the day but it feels like as soon as night hits and I put her down, something terrible will happen. It’s exhausting.

I’m glad people are finding it ease after 1-2 weeks, I’m feeling properly in the thick of the hormone crash atm.

Hey, we’re all together in this don’t worry ❤️ I get the sundown scares too. I think it’ll also be much easier once the days stay lighter for longer! As I’m finding the early winter darkness really horrible. You’re in the peak of the post partum crash but hang in there and do little things each day to make yourself feel a bit better like listening to an upbeat song you love, getting out on a nice walk, making a nice breakfast etc, and it will get easier each day ❤️

I had this and baby blues after having baby and I’m 3 weeks post partum today and feeling so much better hahahah done since day 10 or so! It does ease very quickly even though when you’re in it, it feels like it will last forever! Hang in there xxx

I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way, all I can say is that it’ll ease with time, I’m 4 weeks PP and don’t mind night starting anymore but I used to be terrified even with a loving supportive husband right next to me, around 2-3 weeks in it started getting better… I wish I could give more helpful advice x