Lack Of Sleep: The Hardest Part Of Having A Newborn

The recommended sleep hours for the average adult ages 18 to 64 is 7 to 9 hours per day, and this is impossible for most adults who are slammed with work and errands and have hectic day-to-day lists. If normal adults are not getting the required sleep hours, it is even more difficult for new parents. As per the survey that Sleep Junkie conducted, only 10% of new parents get to sleep the recommended hours. Researchers found that parents fall short of sleep by 3 hours every night, having a newborn child at home.

Your lives will change when a newborn baby comes along. There will be less time for hobbies, work, self-care, and of course, sleep. Most babies start to sleep consistently for about 6 to 8 hours when they reach at least 3 months, as per Stanford Children's Health. But The Guardian says otherwise; according to their study, some moms are still sleep deprived 4 to 6 years after birth. Being sleep-deprived may contribute to stress, fatigue, and even post-partum depression, so both parents need to work together or even ask help from family members to get their needed sleep. Here are some strategies to get that necessary snooze that may help you.

Sleep strategies

Cradle

Cradles can be a lifesaver. Some babies calm down when they are snuggled in motion, and that is what a cradle somehow can do. You can tie a rope to a standard cradle and ensure it is out of your baby's reach. Rock the cradle using the string to help calm and comfort your little one instead of picking them up. This will help you save time for sleep. Letting your baby sleep with their backs flat in a cradle can also help lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.

Using bottles

Some breastfeeding moms pump before sleeping and store their breastmilk in a bottle. They let their husbands give the bottle to their babies while they are asleep for 4 to 5 hours, and then they wake up to breastfeed while it's their husband's turn to slumber. There are pros and cons to this setup. While mom and dad can get their needed sleep, some babies can get nipple confusion at first, especially if their sucking is uncoordinated.

Taking turns

Some parents have this survival tactic, taking turns to care for their newborns. For instance, the dad is scheduled to care for their little one on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights while the mom will cover the other days. As partners, the mom can help prepare everything needed for the dad's night shift and vice versa.

Sleeping separately

If both parents agree on night schedules, mom can sleep in the bedroom while dad and baby can sleep in a separate room or vice versa. This ensures that the sleeping parent will not be disturbed while baby-feeding or changing diapers.

Room sharing

Although you want to use the nursery that you have prepared and decorated for months, most parents will suggest that it is more convenient to room share with your newborn baby. This way, you can quickly attend to your baby if they cry. Place a crib in your bedroom so you can easily feed or change diapers anytime if needed.

Time schedules

Another way to help you sleep is to set up a shifting schedule with your spouse or a family member/babysitter. An example schedule would be when the mom takes the first shift (9 PM to 2 AM), and the father or other family member can take the next shift (2 AM to 6 AM). This strategy works best for most families; moms and dads can get their needed slumber.

Sleep when there is a chance

When your baby is settled and asleep, take the time to take a nap or go to bed early instead of spending time on mobile phones or watching TV. This may be hard to do, especially if you are concerned about doing the chores, work, and other things. Set aside those workloads for the meantime, and take your time to relax, rest, and re-energize.

Practice good sleep habits

The sleep routine may not be consistent during this period, but if you can take the time to squeeze in a warm bath before hitting the covers, then do so. This will help make you relax and comfy, more prepared for a sound slumber. Avoid stimulants like coffee or sodas that have caffeine in them. And also, avoid screen time as its blue light can confuse your body clock and make it hard for you to sleep.

Soothe your baby

Most times, your fussy baby needs warmth and hug to calm and soothe them. MEMEENO baby belly bands can make that happen. Through an adjustable fastener that gives a gentle compression on their tummy, allowing a warm snug around their belly, these baby belly bands can truly comfort your little one.

Self-warming, with triple layers of organic cotton, it uses your baby's own body temperature making it safe for your newborn. The warmness and gentle compression around their tummy, aids in relieving gas/tummy aches, colic, and constipation leading to a happy baby with possible longer sleep. When the baby is happy, mom, dad, and siblings are happy too.

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