Finally, the baby is here, yet it is not the fun you thought it is going to be! You may spend weeks and months without a single night of a good sleep. Sleep deprivation also puts you at risk when you are driving and it can lead to postpartum mood swings.
Here are 10 tips to help you sleep:
• Once you get pregnant, discuss with your husband how you can schedule your sleeping time. You can even plan for having a nanny with you at home.
• While at hospital, leave your baby in the nursery. Do not feel guilty. You need to rest after birth.
• Say no to any added responsibility, and say yes to family members asking to help you with your chores. Do not volunteer to take extra responsibilities when the newborn is here.
• Whenever you succeed in putting your baby to sleep, take the opportunity to sleep too. All the chores can wait. Sleeping is your top priority in this phase.
• Buy a baby monitor so that you can hear your baby even when it is in another room. It is okay if your baby cries for a few minutes before you reach it.
• You can always pump the milk out of your breast and put it in the bottle, so that your husband can feed him while you are asleep.
• Keep in your mind that your baby will sleep the whole night when it is 8 months old, and you will be able to sleep normally too. If your baby is crying all night, you have to consult the doctor as it may be suffering from acid reflux.
• Poor sleep causes more mood swings. Besides, new mothers usually develop baby blues. Therefore, if you feel any problem with your mood, consult your doctor.
• Some moms may suffer from sleep disorders. If you feel that even short naps are not working for you, consult your doctor for some tests.
Remember if you are not able to sleep, you will not be able to take care of your new baby and your family.