wow you know your stuff!
what you described is spot on regarding the cycle of worrying about not sleeping, which in turn was causing lack of sleep. It was particularly bad during the first six weeks with bubs, it used to really occupy my thoughts non stop. Now I realise that its not the end of the world if I get a bad night here and there with her wakening, but it took me a while to realise this. And after 2 weeks of night wakenings, it seemed I fell back into my old trap of being a worry wart etc.

My partner snoring is another hinderance to me getting a good nights sleep. Particularly if I get up for the baby, then come back to bed to try to sleep and I can hear him snoring, its so hard to sleep then. I used to use ear plugs but unfortunately can't now as I don't think I would hear bubs.

Hmmm so a warm shower before bed helps? And an alarm to get up at same time - in what way does this help? (sorry for all questions!) you have been a great source of information.