How to Get Enough Sleep with a Newborn

Sleeping Beauty What new parents need more than almost anything else is sleep. *believe me!*

It is definitely a challenge to get enough sleep while taking care of a newborn, but it can be done.

As for me, getting quality time for sleep is very crucial to develop positive thinking mum. *Insya-Allah*

Things You’ll Need:

* Baby Bathtubs
* Baby Blankets

Step 1:
Make a big sign for your door that says, “Mother and baby are sleeping! Please do not knock or ring unless we are expecting you!“

Step 2:
Leave the sign up for as long as you like it works.

Step 3:
Turn off the ringer on the handphone/telephone and let the machine answer all calls. Return calls when you feel like it. People will understand. *That’s why I don’t have a personal phone, yay*

Step 4:
Nap when your baby naps. Try to resist the urge to do dishes and housework instead.

Step 5:
Share sleep with, or sleep near, your baby. With the right safety precautions, this can mean a good night’s sleep for everyone.

Step 6:
Accept all offers of help from your husband. Let them come over and do a load of laundry, or even cook a family meal, while you sleep.
*You just gave birth to his son/daughter, so it is time for you to be a lil princess, rite? But don’t overdo it !
Remember to use words of “please” & “thank you” together with his sweet name such as “darling“, “cutie pie“, “my hero” or, whatever suit the best*

Step 7:
Keep the room quiet and dark if you get up for night feedings. This will help your baby understand that nighttime is for sleeping, not playing.

Step 8:
Take a warm bath with your baby a couple of hours before bedtime. This will relax both of you and prepare you for a good night’s sleep.

Alert:

Keep your baby warm, but not too warm, at night. If you are sharing sleep with your baby, he should be dressed more lightly than babies who sleep alone.

If you are breast-feeding, work on the side-lying nursing position as soon as possible. This will allow you to sleep or catnap while you nurse.

If you are breast-feeding, remember that breast milk is digested quickly. Because your baby is processing his meals so efficiently, he may need to eat a number of times during the night.

In the middle of the night, when it seems that your baby has been up every half-hour, repeat to yourself, “This too shall pass,” and remain calm.

Avoid letting your newborn cry at night. New babies need to eat frequently - and be comforted just as frequently.

Avoid falling asleep on a couch with your baby. It creates the risk of falling and/or suffocation.

If your baby is in your bed, make sure you have taken all the necessary safety precautions.

If you are bottle-feeding breast milk, resist the temptation to give your baby an extra-large meal before bedtime. It won’t help him sleep longer and may actually upset his digestion.

Burp baby well - Even if you have to wake baby after a feed to burp, it will be well worth your while. The baby will usually wake again soon anyway (which also means you!) so by taking the time to do it properly the first time you and baby will get a much longer sleep.

Hope those tips could cherish your relationship between your newborn and beloved husband

Please take care of your health *tataa*

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December 7, 2007 | Filed Under Mama's Talk

Comments

One Response to “How to Get Enough Sleep with a Newborn”

ma_danish on December 10th, 2007 4:35 pm

Hallo mamafiza,
I ve been facing this prob since my lil danish was born.Til now,already 1 yr old still wake up every nite and want susu ( bfd)
I wonder until when…

mamafiza: Miss ma_danish, please do have one-on-one discussion about this issues. Because lack of sleep will harm you; physically and mentally. I hope my tips could help you to better solution May Allah swt bless you and your beloved ones!