The joy of a new baby is certainly special and something that all new parents experience. However, a lack of sleep is also part of having a new baby and new parents notoriously get very little sleep, if any at all. Being a new mom can be extremely overwhelming because your life changes overnight after giving birth. You are given no chance and all you have to do is find a way to adjust to the new way of going about your days and nights.
Fortunately, there are some strategies and tips to help new parents get some sleep when the new baby comes. Of course, with a baby, you will never get an overabundance of sleep, but these tips will help you at least get enough sleep to keep your sanity.
- Take Turns
When the baby starts crying both parents generally wake up, even if only one attends to the baby. However, in the first couple of months, both parents might get up each time the baby cries. This will lead to a lack of sleep for both parents. The best plan is for mom and dad to make a plan of who will get up when it is time to comfort the crying baby. Generally, taking turns is really the best option and will help everyone get just a little more sleep. - Nap With Baby
If you are caring for the baby and are tired and the baby goes to sleep then you should take a nap as well. This will allow you to get some much-needed sleep. So, whether the baby naps in the morning, afternoon, or early evening you should also get a little rest because you never know when the baby might wake up. I know this might sound a little impossible if you have to get through house chores as well but you need your rest to avoid exhaustion. House chores are forever there besides, you can try to do some of those while the baby is awake. Better yet, change your routine as well if your baby sleeps through the day and is awake at night. For some days leave some of those chores for the night and get your sleep along with your baby during the day. Work out your schedule based on the baby’s sleep patterns. - Accept Help
Frequently when you have a new baby there are plenty of people willing to help from parents, siblings, friends, and other family members. So, when you really need to get some sleep just accept some of the help that is being offered. Having your mom care for the baby for just a couple of hours will allow you to get some much-needed sleep. You don’t have to struggle when you are surrounded by loved ones. Let them help in order to allow your body to rest and refresh. - Keep Baby in Nursery
The baby should sleep in the nursery and not with the parents. Many parents have different approaches and feelings when it comes to this matter. For some, it is the only option to allow the baby to sleep with them while others feel the baby should sleep in their crib in the nursery. When the baby is kept in the nursery and cries, one parent can easily go attend to the baby without disturbing the other parent. This allows a little more sleep for new parents and allows the taking of turns to flow a bit easier. - Feed Baby Before You Sleep
If your baby has been asleep for several hours and it is around 11 pm and you are getting ready for bed simply wake the baby for a feeding. Most babies wake during the night because they are hungry, so if you feed baby late before you go to bed it is likely they will sleep until early morning or 6-7 hours. This will allow you to get some continuous sleep, even if it is not as much as you want.
The above are some of the tips you can try and might help you get a little more rest. Babies are different, some are very sweet while others cry continuously making the parent irritable as well. Lack of sleep makes you irritable, emotional and short-tempered. All that is not good for both you and your baby. Babies feel your energy and they will react to it. A combination of lack of sleep with a restless mind might lead you to stress and depression and ultimately you can’t deal with a crying baby at all including yourself.
**LACK OF SLEEP IS TOXIC, BETTER SLEEP AFFORDS YOU A SOUND MIND**
No Comment