Awake at 3am

Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Sleep deprivation is not harmless. You’re awake at 3am, running on broken sleep and wondering if you’re getting it wrong. This podcast is about what that actually does to you. The rage, the strain on your relationship, the second guessing, and being told it’s “normal”. Real conversations with mums in it. What their baby is doing, what’s not working, and what it actually feels like to live through it and then get to the other side! Hosted by Jess, a mum of two who has lived through extreme sleep deprivation, and Sophia, Sleep Consultant and founder of Sophia’s Sleep School.

  1. 5d ago

    17| Libby, IVF Solo Parenting, Choosing Not To Breastfeed, Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Training Safety

    Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of motherhood, especially when navigating the complexities of ivf solo parenting? Join hosts Jess Zids and Sophia Masur as they dive deep into the heartfelt journey of Libby, a courageous mother who bravely shares her experiences with pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood as a solo parent. This episode of Awake at 3am is not just another parenting podcast; it’s a real-life conversation that sheds light on the emotional struggles and triumphs of parenting, particularly for those managing sleep deprivation in parenting. Libby opens up about her unique path, emphasizing the significance of being informed and intentional in her choices, especially regarding feeding and sleep. As she candidly discusses her decision not to breastfeed, listeners will resonate with her reflections on prioritising her well-being alongside that of her baby. The episode tackles the societal expectations that new mothers often face, including the overwhelming pressure surrounding breastfeeding and sleep training, making it a must-listen for anyone grappling with breastfeeding challenges or infant sleep issues. Throughout the conversation, Jess, Sophia, and Libby explore the emotional complexities of motherhood, touching on feelings of guilt, the need for support, and the reality of sleep deprivation in parents. Libby’s story is a beacon of hope for those dealing with postpartum mental health challenges, as she shares practical advice for new mums. She encourages them to seek specialised guidance rather than relying solely on general internet advice, paving the way for others navigating the tricky waters of solo parenting. As the episode unfolds, Libby emphasises the critical importance of vocalising needs and accepting help, reminding us that motherhood is a challenging journey that thrives on community support. Whether you're dealing with newborn sleep issues, toddler night struggles, or the emotional impact of sleep loss, this episode is packed with insights and relatable hard truths. Tune in for invaluable tips on sleep training safety, self settling techniques that Libby shares, and how to cope with sleepless nights as a solo mum by choice .

    28 min

  2. May 27

    16| Emily, Newborn, Suicidal Thoughts, Breastfeeding Pressure & Postpartum Psychosis

    TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses suicidal thoughts, postpartum psychosis, intrusive thoughts and thoughts of harm towards a baby. When people picture postpartum psychosis, they often imagine someone obviously unwell or someone with a long history of mental illness. Emily was neither. Emily had no previous mental health history. She was educated, supported, functioning highly and she knew something was wrong. In the newborn phase, what started as intense pressure around breastfeeding after a traumatic birth slowly became something much more serious. Emily began experiencing suicidal thoughts. She later disclosed frightening visions and thoughts that terrified her. She reached out repeatedly for help and spoke with multiple healthcare professionals while trying to understand what was happening to her. Eventually, Emily says she disclosed thoughts of harming both herself and her baby. It was Emily’s mum who ultimately found a specialist mother and baby psychiatric unit in Sydney where she was admitted and received treatment. Emily says she does not believe she would be here today without that admission. This conversation is emotional, confronting and incredibly important because postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and severe maternal mental illness do not always look the way people expect. If you are pregnant, in the newborn phase, postpartum, supporting a new parent or struggling with your mental health after having a baby, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone and more informed about what support exists. Please listen with care and share with another parent if you think this conversation could help them. Support is available: 🇦🇺 AustraliaPANDA: 1300 726 306Lifeline: 13 11 14Emergency: 000 🇺🇸 United StatesPostpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 🇬🇧 United KingdomContact your GP or local Perinatal Mental Health TeamSamaritans: 116 123Emergency: 999

    1 hr

  3. May 19

    15 | Gabriella, 18 month old, 4 Wakes a Night, Divorce and Co Parenting

    “I know it sounds terrible… but I almost felt free for a bit.” This week we chat to family lawyer, author and mum of two Gabriella Pomare about divorce, co-parenting, blended families, second babies and surviving sleep deprivation while trying to hold your life together. Gabriella opens up about separating when her son was just one, introducing a new partner into her child’s life, navigating step parenting, and the emotional shift of going from shared custody back to full time parenting after having her daughter Vienna. We also talk about: • sleep deprivation and overnight wakes • bottle feeding and milk associations • the guilt mums carry after separation • parenting two completely different children • blended family dynamics • identity after motherhood and divorce • why so many mums secretly feel like they’re failing As always: real mums, real sleep deprivation. Follow Gabriella here: @thegabriellapomare Grab Gabriella’s book here: The Collaborative Co-Parent

    45 min

  4. May 12

    14 | Dr, Mum & Sleep Consultant, Dr Brewer On Sleep Training Safety, Infant Sleep & The Science

    Sleep training has become one of the internet’s most emotionally charged parenting debates. Parents are being told it damages attachment, causes trauma and goes against biology. So what does the research actually say? In this episode, GP, mum and sleep consultant Dr Francesca Brewer breaks down the science behind infant sleep, sleep training safety, maternal mental health and the fear-based messaging dominating social media. We unpack what’s evidence-based, what’s opinion and why exhausted parents are being left terrified to make sleep changes. If you’ve ever felt confused by the noise around baby sleep, this episode is essential listening. Find Dr Francesca at @thebabysleepgp & www.thebabysleepgp.com For more on this episode follow @awakeat3am.podcast and @sophiassleepschool

    45 min

  5. Apr 28

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

    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. If you’re stuck in hourly wakes right now, this will feel very familiar. For more follow @awakeat3am.podcast & @sophiassleepschool

    54 min

  6. Apr 21

    12 | Sophia, PTSD, Single Parenting, I Wasn’t Having Another Baby

    If you haven’t already, go back and listen to Episode 11 first. That’s where part 1 of Sophia’s story begins. In today’s episode, everything unravels. Sophia shares how severe sleep deprivation led to PTSD, the breakdown of her marriage, and raising a baby on her own. She was so traumatised by the experience, she made the decision to never have another child… a decision that nearly cost her the man she would go on to marry. This episode is about what happened next. How she took back control, changed the entire way she approached sleep, and went from barely surviving to building a successful career helping parents all over the world avoid that same breaking point. For more follow @awakeat3am.podcast and for daily sleep tips follow @sophiassleepschool

    1h 3m

  7. Mar 31

    11 | Sophia, 12-Month-Old Waking Hourly, Postnatal Depression, Divorce, Unplanned Pregnancy

    Sophia, co-host of Awake at 3am, shares her story of becoming a first-time mum at 21. She was a flight attendant, living a completely different life, when she found out she was pregnant in a brand new relationship. Things moved quickly, and then fell apart just as fast, navigating single parenting as a young mum was not on her bingo card.... In this episode, Sophia talks openly about what those early months really looked like. The impact of sleep deprivation on her mental health, navigating postnatal depression and a marriage breakdown, and the reality of becoming a single parent. She also shares how much she relied on her parents during that time, and what having a village actually meant when everything else felt unstable. It’s honest, raw and a side of motherhood we don’t talk about enough. Follow @awakeat3am.podcast & @sophiassleepschool

    39 min

  8. Mar 24

    10 | Simone – 2 Year Old + 5 Month Old, Waking Every 2 Hours… Then a Perfect Sleeper

    Simone’s first baby woke every two hours for months. No routine. No sleep. Just surviving it and hoping it would pass. She talks about what that actually did to her. The exhaustion, the pressure to “get it right”, and how long it took to admit it wasn’t sustainable. Then she had her second baby. Completely different… but not easier. Colic, feeding issues, two kids needing her at once. She describes it as humbling in a way no one prepares you for. This episode is about what early motherhood really looks like when sleep isn’t working, and how different each baby can be. If you’ve ever thought “why is this so hard?”… you’ll get this one. Follow @awakeat3am.podcast & @sophiassleepschool to learn more

    49 min
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About

Sleep deprivation is not harmless. You’re awake at 3am, running on broken sleep and wondering if you’re getting it wrong. This podcast is about what that actually does to you. The rage, the strain on your relationship, the second guessing, and being told it’s “normal”. Real conversations with mums in it. What their baby is doing, what’s not working, and what it actually feels like to live through it and then get to the other side! Hosted by Jess, a mum of two who has lived through extreme sleep deprivation, and Sophia, Sleep Consultant and founder of Sophia’s Sleep School.

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
  • Show Website
    Awake at 3am

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