After becoming a mother, "sleeping through the night" became the ultimate luxury. The baby's cries became your alarm clock, and fragmented sleep became the norm. Even worse, when the baby finally slept a long nap, my own body seemed to have forgotten how to sleep deeply. My mind was always on edge, anxious about the baby's eating, drinking, and diaper changes, and worried about tomorrow's parenting challenges. On a friend's recommendation, I started exploring sleep gummies with a try-it-and-see attitude. This journey completely changed my definition of "mommy sleep."
My problem wasn't just "not being able to sleep," but "not being able to relax deeply." Even when I did fall asleep, it felt like I was on guard duty; the slightest noise would wake me instantly. Long-term sleep deprivation made me irritable, impaired my memory, and even affected my breast milk supply. I knew I needed help, but the special nature of breastfeeding made me extremely cautious about anything I ingested.
I did a lot of research when choosing products. I chose a gummy that clearly stated it was "melatonin-free" (because the safety of melatonin use during breastfeeding is still unclear). Its main ingredients were GABA, tea theanine, and passion fruit extract, which has a calming effect on the nerves. Only after consulting a doctor and confirming the safety of the ingredients did I cautiously begin trying it.
The first time I ate one, after my baby had fallen asleep, I finished all the housework, made myself a cup of warm water, and then ate it. It had a light honey-lemon flavor, and the act of chewing it felt like a ritual, reminding me, "You've worked hard today; now it's your time to rest."
About half an hour later, a long-lost sense of relaxation returned. It wasn't drowsiness, but a sense of mental peace. The tightness in my chest caused by anxiety slowly eased. That night, I still woke up to feed my baby when he cried, but the difference was that after feeding, I was able to fall asleep very quickly again, instead of lying awake thinking until dawn. This was a revolutionary change for me!
After using it for two weeks, my most surprising discovery was that my sleep quality had improved. Although my total sleep time didn't increase due to nighttime feedings, the proportion of deep sleep seemed to improve. When I woke up in the morning, I no longer felt completely drained; instead, I could feel my energy restored. This physical improvement directly impacted my mood and mental state, making me more patient with childcare chores and allowing me to better enjoy time with my baby.
The sleep gummies didn't work miracles to give me a full night's sleep, but they provided a gentle "push" when I was most tired and anxious, helping my nervous system "brake" and allowing me to learn to rest efficiently during fragmented moments. It was more like a signal, reminding me to care for myself while caring for my baby. For a new mother, regaining a semblance of control over sleep is already a ray of light in the darkness.