Nearly any new parent will tell you that diaper changes, frequent feedings, and walking up and down with an irritable or fussy infant can mean that getting a good night’s sleep is close to impossible. While trying to maintain your own health is challenging when there is a newborn around, ensuring that you get enough sleep should be an important priority, states Grace W. Pien, M.D., M.S.C.E. a Johns Hopkins sleep specialist.
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The Mother And Baby
She goes onto say that if you are able to get enough sleep, then you will be able to handle the responsibilities that come with taking care of an infant. She also says that you will then become more patient and may even start to feel more relaxed about parenting. Pien has suggested these strategies to make sure you are getting enough shut-eye.
Sleep While Your Baby Sleeps
Newborns nap frequently and this can last from 2 to 4 hours, which adds up to around 16 to 18 hours every day. New parents, especially the mother is usually very sleep-deprived when they only get a few hours of sleep in at night. Trying to sleep when your baby sleeps might be a challenge due to your internal body clock or when you have other children in the home, yet when possible at least rest while your baby sleeps.
Slow Down On Your Household Chores
Rather than loading up the dishwasher or vacuuming, go for sleep. Your family and friends won’t be judging you when your house starts to become messy, states Pien. In most cases, they are only paying a visit to see the baby. Leave those dishes from dinner until tomorrow morning.
Share The Baby Duties At Night
You can share diaper changes, feedings, and any other duty at night with your partner. Mothers who are breastfeeding can choose to pump their breast milk, which will allow them to rest while their partner gives the baby their nighttime bottle.
Position The Crib Close To Your Bed
Having the bassinet or baby’s crib close to you makes it easier to do what you need to do with your baby and then return to sleep, which contributes towards a night that is more restful. While the thought of co-sleeping may appear tempting, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) does not recommend this due to the risks involved in suffocating the infant. You are invited to write for us. Check this link.
Ask A Friend Or Family Member For Help
Swallow your pride and don’t be afraid to ask a relative or friend for help. This could include helping you clean up, shopping for your groceries, or even holding your baby for a few hours so you can get some sleep. You may even have a friend or family member that may be open to feedings or diaper changes at night.
Use Parental Leave To Your Advantage
The policies surrounding parental leave will vary from one company to the next, yet in some cases, both parents will be allowed to take leave from work, which allows for a way to handle caring for a newborn baby which can lead to a lot more sleep. For instance, the mother can take leave from work directly after the birth of the baby, while her husband can take time off a few weeks later, which will help the mom to get more sleep before she has to transition back into work, states Pien.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Good sleep hygiene could assist you in getting more rest. These are strategies that include:
A Comfortable Bed
Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. Read these best mattress Australia reviews.
Avoiding Caffeine
This is a stimulant that may mess up your sleep cycles.
No Electronics Just Before Bed
It may be tempting to put up posts about your adorable newborn, but the use of computers, tablets, and mobile phones just before bed is taking away from your sleep time.
Stick To A Regular Sleep Schedule
This may sound impossible for new parents, but try your best to go to bed and then wake up at the same time on as many days as you can. Keep in mind that when you have a baby around your schedule should be more flexible, and you can expect to be woken up a few times at night.
