Sleep is a luxury you cannot afford once your newborn arrives. Ask any mother, and you would know what I am talking about. Round-the-clock demand feeding, diaper duties and taking care of your baby is so tiresome that all you would want to do is hit the sack when it is bedtime. But your child will never co-operate with you as newborns don t follow a sleep-wake cycle like adults. Well, it takes about six months for a baby to settle into a normal sleep cycle which is sleeping for at least four to five hours at a stretch at night. Here are 10 sleep safe rules for babies.
But till then you have to deal with your sleeplessness. Here are some of my tried-and-tested ways in which I tackled sleep-deficit with my newborn, not once but twice. I hope these tricks help you to get through the day with ease.
Get used to power naps: Yes, you will have to fulfil sleep requirements by taking short power naps throughout the day. So you have to comply with the clich , Sleep when your baby sleeps. And they don t sleep more than 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch. Whoever tells you otherwise, don t believe. Stop cribbing about sleeping peacefully at night, because it won t happen anytime soon. The best way to make the most of your power nap is to lie down as soon as your baby sleeps, without wasting time on social media or reading gossip magazines. Did you know power naps can make you smarter as well?
Follow a routine: Even if you have managed to get just an hour of sleep at night, don t try to compensate for lost sleep by sleeping late into the morning. This will make your entire day disorganised and make it difficult for you to manage chores when the baby wakes up. So, finish your morning chores and don t delay your work. I know it is easier said than done. But you don t want to fret about dirty laundry, meals, and baby s bath time waking up at noon. In fact, following a routine will take away the stress of pending jobs at hand which will at least keep your mind at peace. This goes a long way in helping you stay sane when you are sleep deprived.
Keep yourself hydrated: This is one advice that my mom gave me, and I followed it to the core. Dehydration makes it difficult for you to keep going. Sipping on warm water or unsweetened juices give you a boost till you can enjoy your next round of power nap.
Say no to binge eating: This is a common mistake most new mothers do when they are tired, frustrated and dazed out. Comfort eating helps them to get a surge in their energy levels, and so most of them resort to it. I did the same and then realised how harmful it had been. When we binge eat, it is mostly fat, sugar and calories that we consume, which does little to add nutritional value and promotes postpartum weight gain. After the initial sugar rush, you even feel more tired and weary. Instead, keep crackers, fruits and yoghurt stocked at home so you can have them when you feel hungry.
Rest often: Even if you are not able to get eight hours of shut-eye, there are enough ways to rest your body. Avoid standing for too long and sit whenever possible. Use pillows for proper back support while you breastfeed as you are going to do that for a chunk of your day. Avoid travelling long distances unless it is necessary. All this helps your body to retain the little energy it needs to function without sleep. Here are seven facts about postpartum depression, I wish someone told me.
Limit usage of smartphones: This is the no 1 time killer. Instead, of spending time with your smartphone trying to catch some sleep when your baby naps, you might never be able to keep a tab how much time you spend on your phone that can be used for some sound sleep.
Get some exercise: Not that I ever tried to get exercise postpartum, but many people told me that an evening walk or even cardio exercises at the gym helped them overcome fatigue due to lack of sleep and put up with the demands of the newborn. So if you are an exercise person, it is a bonus for you postpartum.
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