The joy of having your first baby is certainly special and worth celebrating for. With this new addition in the family, you and your partner’s life will never be the same again, including your sleep routines.
Lack of sleep is one of the first things you would have to deal with as a new parent. Your baby’s sleeping and eating schedules are not the same as adults and you will have to wake up a few times in one night for the first few months, just to feed your newborn or change the diapers.
If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, here are some tips to help new parents get some sleep as well as maintain you and your partner’s sanity and well-being:
1. Take Turns in Attending to Your Baby’s Needs
When your baby starts crying at night while you’re sleeping, both of you will generally wake up, even if only one of you will actually get up and attend to your baby. However, in the first few weeks, you and your partner might get up each time your newborn cries and this will lead to lack of sleep for both of you. The best plan is to take turns in waking up and attending to your baby so both of you will have a chance to sleep a few more hours.
2. Nap When Your Baby Naps
Taking a nap while your baby is napping too will help you get some much needed sleep. Whether your baby naps in the morning, in the afternoon or early in the evening, you should try and get a little rest as well to help you gain back some energy and it will make you feel refreshed. Click here to find out more about how to establish good sleep habits for you and your baby.
3. Accept Help from Family and Friends
It could be your parents, a sibling or a friend who’s offering you some help in taking care of your baby. Allowing them to look after and entertain your baby even for just a couple of hours will help you get the sleep your body needs.
_______________
Read More:
8 Tips to Help Your Newborn Baby to Sleep Through the Night
Newborn Baby Skin Care Tips for First Time Mums
First Month Survival Tips for New Dad
Guide to Handling Colicky Baby for New Moms
_______________
4. Keep Your Baby in the Nursery Room
Your baby should sleep in the nursery room and not in the same room as where you and your partner sleep. It can be tempting to put the crib just right beside your bed so it will be easier to reach them should he/she cries but remember, you and your partner will take turns in attending to your baby. If your baby is inside the room where you sleep, the one who’s not supposed to get up yet will get disturbed and will not be able to sleep until the baby goes to sleep again.
5. Feed Your Baby Before You Sleep
If your baby has been asleep for many hours and it’s already 11 in the evening and you’re getting ready to go to bed, simply wake up your baby for feeding. Most babies will wake up during the night when they are hungry so if you feed your baby late, before you go to bed, it is likely that they will sleep until early morning or up to 6 to 7 hours. This will give you the chance to get more sleep as well.
Tried all the suggestions on the internet and books but still having problems getting enough sleep? Maybe it’s time for a professional to help. Cecile de Scally from Malaak, one of UAE’s leading midwife and educator, can help you establish good sleeping routines both for you and your baby.