Newborn Sleep: How to Survive When Sleep Deprived
Most parents in the first six weeks experience exhaustion on some level. Learning about normal newborn sleep patterns, how lack of sleep can affect physical recovery, mental health, and everyday functioning and having strategies to cope is everything. Here are some things worth trying!
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Keep Baby Close
Sleep in the same room with baby
where you can keep the environment quiet and dark. Take turns with your partner caring for baby during sleeping hours can help you survive normal newborn sleep patterns.
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Grab a Nap
When it comes to new parents and sleeping. Take a nap - whenever, wherever, you can!
Taking small sleep/rest breaks throughout the day can add up over time to make functioning with normal newborn sleep patterns easier. If you sit down and you are tired enough to fall asleep and baby is sleeping or with someone that can care for them, then do it!
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Make a Survival Plan
Normal newborn sleep patterns make it difficult for new parents and sleeping patterns are going to be different for awhile. Talk honestly about your need for sleep with your partner. A little uninterrupted sleep can go a long way to make your whole journey smoother. This may include "sleep shifts", working in pre-planned naps throughout the day, or each person having whole 6-8 hours off of baby care.
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Share Nighttime Duties
For the breastfeeding parent normal newborn sleep patterns can be hard. Having the partner bring baby to bed for feedings and then settling baby afterwards can be an effective way to protect sleep for everyone.
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