I need to stop falling asleep while I'm driving?

Jamie W

You MUST get more sleep. Try to eliminate some of the chores you're piling onto yourself; the house does not have to be perfect, as long as there's one clean room for the baby to play in. You can do everything you let go during the week over the weekend. Is there ANYONE you can call on to help you out so you can get to bed by 8? Her father? Your mom? Siblings or friends?

At a year old, your daughter should not need a bottle anymore during the night. Talk to her pediatrician for advice on how you can teach her how to comfort herself back to sleep, instead of you having to get up and care for her. It will take a few weeks probably, but it will eliminate those wake-up calls.

No matter what intervention you use to stay awake while you're driving to work, they will stop working. You are piling up sleep debt that must be paid somehow. Not only are you putting your life at risk, but also those of everyone around you. If you take your daughter to daycare, hers is at risk as well. And it's not just driving. Sleep deprivation, stress, and overwork have been related to EVERY SINGLE CASE of parents leaving their kids in the car accidentally -- you know, the ones where everyone is horrified because the baby dies of heat stroke? This isn't just a morning thing, but a result of being too tired throughout the whole day. Your exhaustion puts your daughter at risk.

Stop looking for a way to treat the symptom, and treat the cause: exhaustion. This is not worth your life, your daughter's life, or the lives of strangers.

PS -- why do you feel you need to do it all? No woman can, no matter what the crazy feminist propaganda says. Wealthy career women have nannies, and single moms generally have a social network of friends and families to help them go back to work. You should not feel guilty if you fail in the baby/housework/work routine. Pick the one that's most important and let the others go.

Lover not a Fighter

You seems to have everything figured out --- except that you don't need something to keep you AWAKE. You just need MORE SLEEP. There's just no way around it. And if you don't you are going to hurt (or even kill) somebody. Hopefully you won't leave you family in a limbo if you are hurt or killed.

MAKE A CHANGE... Find a way to get more sleep.

Good Luck...

Emz

Falling asleep during driving is extremely dangerous, have someone else drive you to and from your job, until you feel comfortable and awake enough to drive on the road again

Tina

I fell asleep driving once and nearly died, spent months in the hospital and haven't been 100% since.

I still at times get very drowsy when driving and have found what helps me most is chewing on ice, chewing gum or I eat some pretzels, I find that as long as I am chewing I stay awake. Smoking used to help but doesn't anymore.

Drowsy driving is just as bad as drunk driving.

Pat S

Keep a window or two open, have the radio on, sing, talk to yourself - any of those help. Excessive heat in the car can put you to sleep faster than anything, so keep it cool.

Don't keep your eyes riveted on one section of the road. That can cause "highway hypnosis" even if you aren't tired. Keep your eyes moving - mirrors, roadway, glance at a sign, etc.

Above all, keep thinking about your little girl and how much she needs you to arrive safely. Think about what her life would be like if you didn't make it. That alone should be enough to keep you alert.

reds_1990

drink a Red Bull

Texas Underdog

One of these days, you will stop falling asleep at the wheel - forever.
All you can do is try to get more sleep - put some of those chores off until the weekend.
Good Luck
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snooprapha

when ever that happens to me.. get only 5 hrs of sleep or less, i juss drink some coffe get a energy drink.. i am sure u`ll not sleep with thoes !!!

Dimo J

Figure which "chores, etc." can be ignored and get more sleep.

pamzstew

It want hurt to let her cry for awhile. Stressing yourself out. Some things can be let go til your off day. Easier said than done. Talk with her peditrician. Ask your doctor for some help also. She probably needs to come off the bottle. ???

olddog0558

I think maybe Daddy needs a kick in the - well, you know. He needs to take some of the pressure off you so you can get some sleep.

krazybob613

A one year old should be sleeping straight through the night - soundproof her room if necessary but do not allow her to dictate your life in this manner - she does not really need attention - she simply wants it - she needs to cry herself right back to sleep! And you need to be able to sleep right through it for both of your sakes!

When our children would cry when we knew that they were fed and dry and freshly put to bed we had a very simple solution - we would not open the door and we would vacuum the balance of the house, by the time the vacuuming was finished the baby was asleep.

UCANTCME

Roll down the windows, keep the radio on and drink some coffee.

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