Every parent has to endure disrupted nights and days when they struggle to muddle through until bedtime. Whether you have a newborn or older kids, sleepless nights are par for the course. But how do you cope when you’re sleep deprived, and you can’t muster the energy to do a day’s work or tackle household chores? If you’re not sleeping, these tips may help.
Don’t turn down offers of help
Has your mom been calling every day and asking if she can help out? Have you got siblings who are desperate to spend more time with their nephew or niece? Are friends offering to drop in and give you a break? Parenting is no easy task, especially when you’re running on empty. If you’ve people around you, take them up on generous offers. If you’ve got somebody to watch the baby for half an hour, you can shower, change and enjoy five minutes to yourself. If your parents are happy to call in for the afternoon, you can get your head down and have a rest. There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help if you’re chasing your tail and you need sleep. You’ll probably find that close friends and family are thrilled to be asked.
Nap when you can
In the early days, babies wake regularly, and this contributes to fragmented sleep patterns. Try and get into the habit of having forty winks when your baby sleeps. This way, you can recharge your batteries during the day when you’re missing out on a long sleep at night.
Get comfortable
The last thing you need when you’re a tired parent is lumpy pillows or a worn mattress. If you’re expecting, or you’ve recently bought your newborn home, consider buying a new bed and pillows. It’s always a good idea to try mattresses out, as everyone has different preferences. You can also check out reviews like those provided by Emily from Sleep Ridiculously Well online. Your new bed should be comfortable, but it should also provide support for your spine.
Stay calm
Anxiety is part and parcel of parenting. From the moment that little bundle arrives in your arms, you will worry. Are they breathing ok? Are they warm enough or are they too hot? Is that a normal cry or is something wrong? It’s natural to worry, but try and stay as calm as possible. Manage your time as effectively as possible and get your house organized in advance. Ask others to help out, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from health professionals if you are concerned. Before you go to bed, take half an hour to do something relaxing. Run a bath or put some soothing music on. If your partner looks after the baby, you can have a rest and then swap over.
Every parent goes through stages where sleepless nights are a regular feature. Sometimes, you can power through. In other cases, you may feel like you’ve hit a wall. If you’re a first-time parent, rest assured that every mother and father have been in your position, and they’ve survived to tell the tale. Try and stay calm and be positive. Use the support circle around you, and sleep when you can.