Awake at 3am

Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
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  • Parenting
  • Updated weekly

Sleep deprivation is not harmless. It's the rage. The anxiety. The strain on your relationship. The loss of confidence. The feeling that everyone else is coping better than you are. Awake at 3am is where mums tell the truth about what happened behind closed doors. Every week, we share real stories of motherhood, sleep and survival. Hourly waking, postpartum psychosis, IVF, food allergies, divorce, maternal burnout. The moments women thought they were failing, and how they found their way through. Hosted by Jess, a mum of two, and Sophia Masur, Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant

  1. 5 days ago

    19| Abbey, Hourly Waking, Baby Food Intolerances & Surviving Sleep Deprivation

    Episode 19: Abbey, Hourly Waking, Baby Food Allergies & Surviving Sleep Deprivation What happens when your baby wakes every 45 minutes, food allergies turn every feed into a really scary moment, and the village you thought would support you never arrives? In this powerful episode of Awake at 3am, Abbey shares her experience of severe sleep deprivation, hourly waking, infant food allergies, maternal burnout and the reality of modern motherhood. After an unexpected pregnancy, Abbey found herself navigating newborn sleep, frequent night waking, false starts, feeding to sleep, co-sleeping, baby sleep challenges and the overwhelming mental load that comes with raising a baby who simply wouldn't sleep. At her lowest point, Abbey was surviving on broken sleep whilst managing multiple food allergies, navigating relationship strain, struggling with her mental health and trying to be the mum she wanted to be. Like so many exhausted parents, she found herself questioning whether she was doing something wrong and wondering why nobody talks honestly about how hard sleep deprivation can be. In this episode we discuss: • Baby sleep and infant sleep challenges • Hourly waking and frequent night waking • Sleep deprivation and maternal burnout • Baby food allergies and feeding challenges • Co-sleeping and feeding to sleep • Maternal mental health and postpartum anxiety • The mental load of motherhood • Relationship strain after having a baby • Parenting without a village • Sleep training and finding a path forward • Why exhausted mums need support too If you've ever searched for answers about baby sleep, hourly waking, sleep regressions, food allergies, sleep deprivation, maternal mental health, newborn sleep, co-sleeping, feeding to sleep or how to survive the early years of parenting, this episode is for you. Awake at 3am is the parenting podcast for exhausted parents navigating baby sleep, toddler sleep, sleep training, maternal mental health, postpartum anxiety, motherhood, infant development, parental burnout and the realities of raising children in today's world. Follow @awakeat3am.podcast and @sophiassleepschool to learn about todays episode.

    34 min

  2. 16 Jun

    18: Taylor | Postpartum Health Anxiety, Mum Rage, Unplanned Pregnancy & Relationship Strain From Parenting

    Taylor never imagined she'd be preparing for life with three children under two and a half and the pressure that would put on her relationship. But behind the excitement of another baby was a story very few people knew. Severe sleep deprivation had taken its toll, and Taylor found herself trapped in a cycle of postpartum anxiety, overwhelming health anxiety about her own body, and constant fear that something was seriously wrong. In this episode, Taylor shares what was really happening behind closed doors. We talk about postpartum health anxiety, sleep deprivation, postpartum rage, the guilt of feeling overwhelmed, and how improving her baby's sleep became one of the first steps towards getting her own mental health back. Taylor also shares what it was like raising two little ones while building her business, Posy, and the shock of discovering she was pregnant again just weeks after welcoming her second baby. If you've ever experienced postpartum health anxiety, postpartum anxiety, sleep deprivation, or found yourself constantly worrying that something was wrong with your own health after having a baby, this conversation will remind you that you're far from alone. Follow Taylor and Posy:Instagram: @posyintimates @sophiassleepschool @awakeat3am.podcast

    39 min

  3. 9 Jun

    Ep 17 | Sheila, IVF, Infertility, Donor Eggs, Exhaustion, Sleep Training, Sleep Routine & Motherhood at 47

    What happens when you've spent years battling infertility, navigating IVF, undergoing multiple fertility treatments and ultimately choosing donor eggs to become a mother, only to find yourself facing one of the biggest challenges of all: severe sleep deprivation? In this deeply honest episode of Awake at 3am, we sit down with author, speaker and coach Sheila Vijeyarasa to discuss her journey through infertility, IVF, donor egg conception, pregnancy after 45 and becoming a first-time mum at 47. After multiple rounds of IVF, unsuccessful fertility treatment cycles and years of heartbreak, Sheila became a donor mum and welcomed her son Phoenix into the world. But while infertility and conception were difficult, nothing prepared her for the reality of newborn sleep deprivation, baby sleep challenges, frequent night waking, breastfeeding difficulties, relationship strain and the profound identity shift that comes with motherhood. This episode explores: • IVF, infertility and fertility treatment• Donor egg conception and becoming a donor mother• Pregnancy after 45 and motherhood at 47• Mental health for new mums and the importance of a routine for your baby• Postpartum mental health and postpartum anxiety• Managing sleep deprivation during the newborn stage• The emotional impact of sleep loss on mothers and families• Breastfeeding challenges, pumping and formula feeding without guilt• Newborn sleep issues and frequent overnight waking• Baby sleep routines and healthy sleep habits• Sleep consultant advice and sleep training• Self-settling techniques and sleep training misconceptions• How to help a baby fall asleep independently• Why overtired babies often sleep worse, not better• Toddler sleep challenges and toddler night routines• Relationship strain from parenting and sleep deprivation• The impact of poor sleep on marriage, work performance and wellbeing• Building resilience through motherhood• Coping with overwhelm, exhaustion and identity loss after becoming a parent• Parenting after infertility and the pressure to feel grateful despite struggling Sheila shares powerful insights into the reality of becoming a parent after infertility, why sleep deprivation can affect every aspect of life, and how improving baby sleep transformed not only her son's wellbeing but also her marriage, mental health and ability to function. If you're navigating IVF, infertility, donor egg conception, newborn sleep, baby sleep problems, postpartum anxiety, maternal mental health struggles or the overwhelming exhaustion that comes with parenting, this conversation will leave you feeling understood, validated and far less alone. Follow Awake at 3am for honest conversations about parenting, baby sleep and the stories ( and tips) nobody tells you before becoming a parent! To learn more about Sheila, follow her @sheila_v__

    54 min

  4. 2 Jun

    17: Libby, Newborn Sleep, Choosing Not to Breastfeed, Solo Motherhood & IVF

    Libby made a decision that many mums are scared to say out loud. She chose not to breastfeed. After becoming a solo mum by choice through IVF, Libby knew she wanted to protect her mental health as much as her baby's wellbeing. That decision came with judgement, questions and a lot of opinions, but she has never regretted making the choice that was right for her family. In this episode, Libby shares what really happened behind closed doors. We talk about IVF, solo motherhood by choice, choosing not to breastfeed, sleep deprivation, sleep training and why motherhood doesn't have to look the way everyone expects it to. Libby started looking into newborn sleep and started her daughter on a routine from a young age, a decision that helped set her up for success with her sleep training journey. This is an honest conversation about trusting yourself, letting go of guilt and making decisions based on what's best for your family, not everyone else's expectations. If you've ever searched for choosing not to breastfeed, solo mum by choice, IVF, sleep deprivation or wondered whether it's okay to do motherhood differently, this episode is for you. Follow @awakeat3am.podcast and @sophiassleepschool for more real stories of motherhood, sleep and survival.

    28 min

  5. 27 May

    16: Emily | Postpartum Psychosis, Chronic Sleep Deprivation & Breastfeeding Pressure

    TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses postpartum psychosis, suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts and thoughts of harm towards a baby. Emily never imagined she would develop postpartum psychosis. She had no history of mental illness. She loved her baby. She desperately wanted to breastfeed. But as severe sleep deprivation and overwhelming breastfeeding pressure took hold after a traumatic birth, her mental health began to unravel in ways she never thought possible. In this episode, Emily shares the story nobody saw behind closed doors. We talk about postpartum psychosis, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding pressure, suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts and the warning signs she wishes every new parent knew. After repeatedly asking for help, Emily was eventually admitted to a specialist Mother and Baby Psychiatric Unit in Sydney, a decision she believes saved her life. This is an honest conversation about postpartum psychosis, maternal mental health and why these illnesses don't always look the way people expect. Many women continue caring for their baby while silently becoming more unwell. If you've ever searched for postpartum psychosis, postpartum mental health, sleep deprivation after having a baby, breastfeeding pressure or wondered how to recognise the warning signs of severe maternal mental illness, this episode is for you. Support is available 🇦🇺 AustraliaPANDA – 1300 726 306Lifeline – 13 11 14Emergency – 000 🇺🇸 United StatesPostpartum Support International – 1-800-944-4773988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 🇬🇧 United KingdomSamaritans – 116 123Emergency – 999 Australia PANDA: 1300 726 306 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Emergency: 000 United States Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline United Kingdom Contact your GP or local Perinatal Mental Health Team Samaritans: 116 123 Emergency: 999

    1 hr

  6. 19 May

    15: Gabriella, Divorce, Co-Parenting & Surviving Sleep Deprivation

    "I know it sounds terrible... but for a little while, I almost felt free." When Gabriella's marriage ended, she wasn't just navigating divorce. She was trying to parent a toddler who was still waking multiple times a night while rebuilding an entirely new life. In this episode, family lawyer, author and mum of two Gabriella Pomare shares the story nobody saw behind closed doors. We talk about divorce, co-parenting, sleep deprivation, blended families, parenting after separation and the complicated emotions that can come with sharing your child. Gabriella also opens up about introducing a new partner, becoming a step-parent, raising two very different children and why guilt follows so many mums long after a relationship ends. This is an honest conversation about divorce, motherhood, co-parenting and discovering that life after separation can still be full of hope. If you've ever searched for divorce after having children, co-parenting, blended families, sleep deprivation or wondered how other mums survive separation, this episode is for you. Follow Gabriella here: @thegabriellapomare Grab Gabriella’s book here: The Collaborative Co-Parent

    45 min

  7. 12 May

    14 | Dr Brewer, Is Sleep Training Safe? The Science Behind Infant Sleep & Baby Sleep Tips

    Sleep training is one of the most debated topics in parenting, but what does the scientific evidence actually say? In this episode, GP, mum and sleep consultant Dr Francesca Brewer separates science from social media. We unpack the research behind infant sleep, sleep training safety, attachment, cortisol, responsive parenting and maternal mental health, and why so many exhausted parents are left feeling terrified to make any changes. If you've ever wondered whether sleep training is harmful, whether responding differently at night could affect your bond with your baby, or how to separate evidence from opinion, this episode is essential listening ( you might just pick up some valuable baby sleep tips along the way)!! Find Dr Francesca:@thebabysleepgpwww.thebabysleepgp.com For more real stories of motherhood, sleep and survival, follow @awakeat3am.podcast and @sophiassleepschool

    45 min

  8. 28 Apr

    13 | Megan -Baby Waking Every Hour Overnight (6 Weeks–12 Months)… Then 7pm–7am, Baby Sleep Tips + Sleep Routine

    Megan’s baby woke every single hour… for a full year. Then at 12 months… he suddenly slept through. She went from a career woman to completely exhausted, isolated, and questioning everything she ever thought to be true about being a mum. In this episode, she shares what that year really looked like… and why, the second time around, she did things very differently. She engaged Sophia and got her second son on a routine from very early on and started sleep training him from 4 months of age. If you’re stuck in hourly wakes right now, this will feel very familiar. This is an episode full of baby sleep tips, where you will learn what to look out for if your baby is waking often! For more follow @awakeat3am.podcast & @sophiassleepschool

    54 min
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About

Sleep deprivation is not harmless. It's the rage. The anxiety. The strain on your relationship. The loss of confidence. The feeling that everyone else is coping better than you are. Awake at 3am is where mums tell the truth about what happened behind closed doors. Every week, we share real stories of motherhood, sleep and survival. Hourly waking, postpartum psychosis, IVF, food allergies, divorce, maternal burnout. The moments women thought they were failing, and how they found their way through. Hosted by Jess, a mum of two, and Sophia Masur, Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
  • Show Website
    Awake at 3am

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