We do not mean that if you have a baby you will not sleep for a whole year, But you should know that you will sleep considerably less and that this may not be easy for you. Although your baby is the most wonderful thing for you, the reality is that lack of sleep can cause bad times both in your mood and in your health. That is why it is so important to know some tips to survive your baby's first year without sleep ... or with little sleep.
Babies wake up during the night quite a few times and you will need to attend to them so they can get back to sleep. Maybe he's hungry or his diaper is dirty, or he just wants to feel you to find the security and comfort that his mother or father is by his side to comfort him whenever he needs it. Be that as it may, you must be smart and survive this time without ending up being a zombie.
Find a time to sleep
Any time to take a nap is a good idea. When your baby is sleeping you can take a while to lie down too and rest. If your partner is taking care of bathing the baby, you can take a moment and sleep to regain strength. You can also ask for extra help at home to find a time for your coveted dream.
You can hire the services of a babysitter to sleep, tell a family member to stay half an hour with your baby so you can rest ... Find the way that best suits you and your family, but it is very important that your rest is a priority . At least for the first few months.
Drink coffee
Coffee can be one of your best allies after a long night of hardly any sleep. If you have had a difficult night and the next day you have to be at the foot of the canyon, then remember that coffee is your friend. You can think about having a cup or two of coffee a day to better cope with everything you expect.
If you are not much into coffee, you can opt for other stimulants such as green tea, that will help you stay more awake during the day and be able to carry out all the activities that you have pending. Also, if you have a baby with little sleep you will realize how coffee will be your best friend.
Take little naps
Although it is true that being able to sleep in small moments during the day is a good option or even, taking turns at night with your partner so that one can sleep better during one night ... Naps can also help you feel more rested. Take advantage of small moments of the day to be able to take a nap, But be careful, don't take naps too long or too late during the day or at night you won't be able to sleep well.
Ideally, take your baby's naps in the morning and do them at the same time. If your baby sleeps 1 or 2 hours in the morning, you can sleep even half an hour and thus rest a little and regain enough energy to continue with the day.
Night shifts
If your baby wakes up at night even though you're breastfeeding, you don't have to stay up all night while your partner is sleeping soundly. It is important that you take turns feeding the baby, this way you can both rest considerably.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you can express your milk the night before and save it so that during the night if the baby wakes up because he is hungry, your partner can take a bottle and feed him. Remember that your rest is essential. If for some reason you want to be the one to breastfeed your baby because you think it is better than giving your milk in a bottle, it is respectable of course, but remember that you will be more tired and you will have to sleep more during the day.
Accept help from family and friends
Do not want to be an off-road woman and accept the help provided by the people around you. If your mother or father wants to take care of the baby for a while, accept willingly and take advantage of that moment to dedicate it to you. You can sleep, you can do something that you have pending or simply enjoy a shower of more than ten minutes.
That you are the mother of a newborn does not mean that you should forget or enslave yourself ... Babies are educated and raised in community and if you have the opportunity for trusted people to take care of your baby for a while, why would you refuse this help? Just make sure that these people want to help you with the baby and that they do it from the heart.
Have a good diet
Drink lots of water and eat a well balanced diet. This will give you more energy and will keep your immune system strong. Although it may seem silly, the food you eat and the water you drink will help you to be more energetic, on the other hand, if your diet is not adequate, you may feel more tired, in a worse mood and without wanting to do anything.
If you do not know how your diet should be to be adequate, then do not hesitate to go to your doctor or a nutritionist to give you some pointers on what to eat to maintain optimal energy levels.
Exercise
Exercising will help you release endorphins, increase your energy levels, and make you feel much healthier. In addition, sport will reduce your risk of mood swings. Even if you are too tired to do some exercise, doing it in a light way like walking 30 minutes a day or doing yoga will help you sleep better and feel great.
Lastly, remember that being in 'zombie mode' is temporary and will pass. Young children require a lot of attention and energy on your part, but as the months go by you will be able to sleep better. Do not despair and think, that it is something that will not last forever.