Babies are a full-time job for new moms, that it is often forgotten that even moms need rest. A large majority of moms overwork themselves round the newborn’s routine, to the point of exhaustion, if not a breakdown. The biggest culprit being sleep deprivation!
- the baby package you never bargained for: A new mom, heard yourself saying, you feel drop dead exhausted, moody and irritable, can’t think straight, then you could well be suffering from sleep deprivation. Many parents suffer from sleep deprivation at some point. It truly is a task to keep a baby in bed. Sleep deprivation does not spare the lucky ones with babies who sleep on and long as well. Toddlers have their own sleep patterns that change from time to time. A well sleeping toddler could turn into a restless one within a month or two and you are fortunate if it’s vice versa.
Don’t feel guilty when you get enough rest: Sleep deprivation is one thing and the guilt that surrounds it make matters worse. As a new mom, you want to be around; doing everything you can for your little one, that your own comfort takes a back seat. And then there is so much conflicting information and advice on baby’s sleeping habits that puts the added stress on an already stressed out mom. Here are a few tips on how to go about the ‘putting baby to sleep’ business as well as making sure you get enough of rest for yourself:
- You know your baby the best: Every mom knows her baby, the best. There is no hard and fast rule on how many hours a baby needs to sleep, so go by your in stincts on how much sleep your baby needs. Naturally, this does not mean depriving your baby of sleep.
- Sing, cradle, rock, or just pat him to sleep: Do what you feel comfortable to make baby sleep. You can rock your baby to sleep, or sing a lullaby, or simply bring baby into bed with you.
- Don’t feel guilty: Some baby’s can sleep at the drop of the hat while many wake up at the drop of a pin. Don’t take it personally. Take it easy and deal with your baby calmly. A lot of us feel guilty when the baby cries. Work on understanding your baby, instead of running to your baby’s side at every cry or shriek.
- Babies are born with the crying reflex: Heard of this, babies cry instinctively. Babies cry for a number of reasons, that’s the only way they can express a need, be it hunger or sleep, or just the need to be cuddled.
- Discuss it with other young moms: Don’t go by the rule book. As you talk to other new moms, you will realize that you are not in a very different situation. Most moms face the same issues that you do. However, nothing stops you from going online or to the library and read books on baby sleep and sleep patterns.
- Don’t hesitate to get help: Feeling stressed out or finding it difficult to manage the baby on your own? Don’t hesitate from discussing it with your husband or parents or anyone near and dear. Talk to your spouse and discuss help options. Even if you are a stay home mom, there is no harm in asking hubby dearest to lend you a hand with the baby, while you get yourself some rest. This helps in daddy bonding to the little one.
Babies grow up and you will soon be out of this phase. Remember, not to exhaust yourself. Get yourself enough rest, you will need all the energy to keep pace with your baby.
