From Dailymail · · 1m 50s
Annabel Fenwick Elliott: My husband and I sleep in separate beds
Mother of two shares how postpartum sleep shifts and breastfeeding changed her marriage.
In brief
Mother of two shares how postpartum sleep shifts and breastfeeding changed her marriage. Breastfeeding suppresses estrogen, reducing sex drive but not causing marital breakdown. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Sleeping apart
Annabel and her husband sleep in separate beds since having their first child.
Sex life fades
Their sex life has become non-existent since the birth of their second child.
Breastfeeding impact
Breastfeeding suppresses estrogen, which reduces sex drive for many women.
Spencer Matthews' loneliness
Spencer Matthews, Vogue Williams' husband, feels lonely after being relegated to the spare room.
Midwife's advice
The midwife suggested keeping babies close to mothers for safety and comfort.
Bedroom compromise
They transitioned to shared bedrooms with one child sleeping in a cot next to the bed.
Long-term sleep shift
After four years of breastfeeding, Annabel and her husband now sleep in separate rooms.
Hormonal changes
Annabel's hormones have reverted to a prepubescent state, reducing her sex drive.
Spencer's podcast
Spencer Matthews admitted feeling lonely on a podcast about parenting challenges.
Historical context
Separating mothers and babies at night became common in Victorian times for medical reasons.
Breastfeeding benefits
Breastfeeding provides easier nighttime care and bonding for mothers and infants.
Marital strain
Annabel's sex drive has diminished, but her husband remains supportive of their children.
Past affairs
Annabel had affairs with older men while single, all of whom had children.
Warning from past
A former lover warned Annabel that she might face the same marital issues she experienced.
Hope for the future
Annabel hopes her husband will stay with her until her children grow up.
Long-term perspective
Annabel believes that maintaining love through challenges is more important than romantic gestures.
The key point
Breastfeeding suppresses estrogen, reducing sex drive but not causing marital breakdown.
