It can be an exciting time in your life to become a new parent. Admittedly though, it can be tiring when you find yourself lacking the much-needed sleep to power you through your day. Taking care of a newborn can be tiring, since they have yet to get into a sleeping cycle. In some children, the habit of waking up in the middle of the night can last until they are about three to four years old, and this is something you don’t have to put up with. Remember, you have to be well-rested enough to make sure that you are capable of taking care of your child. Here are some tips to ensure that you can get a good night’s sleep:
Adopt a Baby Sleep Schedule
The baby’s sleeping pattern is very much different from an adult’s. Ideally, they need to sleep at least 14 to 17 hours a day. However, this will not be continuous, and will be spread throughout the day. This is why it is important to train your child on how they can sleep at the hours following a schedule.
For example, you can wake them up at 6 am, feed them breakfast, and put them to sleep by 9 am. Wake them again by 11 am in time for lunch, and allow them to take a nap at 2 pm. This is easier said than done, of course, and you might find yourself struggling to put them to sleep when you want them to. It’s also important to identify what situations can help your child go to sleep. Does your baby sleep better after playing or nursing? Do you need to swaddle or play music to help them doze off? Take these factors into consideration.
Follow Your Child’s Sleep Schedule
Once your child has a sleep schedule, it will help you sleep better if you can match your sleep schedule to that of your child’s. While it can be tempting to do stuff around the house when your baby sleeps, it would definitely help you if you can nap when your child sleeps. Suppose you’ve been rocking your baby to sleep until 3 am, it would be best if you can get rest when your baby naps from 9 am to noon. It will be enough to re-energize yourself to take on the tasks of the day.
Dress your Baby Comfortably
In some cases, your baby will wake up in the middle of the night because they are uncomfortable with what they are wearing. In general, you should let your baby wear an additional layer of clothing that will help keep them warm. Baby Riddle has an impressive collection of baby swaddles, sleepsacks, pajama sets, and blankets that are comfortable enough for infants.
You can choose the type of clothing depending on the weather. If it’s summer, you might want to go for lightweight materials, while winter months should call for thicker ones. This way, your child can have a restful sleep that they won’t need to wake you up in the middle of the night.
Get Yourself a New Mattress
Consider a reward for being a conscientious parent and indulge yourself in a new mattress. After all, being pregnant and giving birth is hard work. Make sure that you get the most comfortable mattress for you, so that even when you have to sleep for only five hours a day, you can be sure that it is a restful one. Remember, it is not about the quantity of sleep, but the quality. Think about it as a mode of self-care.
You always have to remember that you have your partner you can rely on. When things get too busy, it is okay to ask for help and delegate tasks.
