The concept of sleep is completely foreign to you whether you are ready to become a parent or have a newborn infant at home. A feeding or a nappy change will wake them every several hours at night, and sometimes they just want to be near you. Sleep deprivation can make you grumpy and angry, which is the most common symptom. Having a baby doesn't mean you can't get a good night's sleep every day. Be sure to check out these ideas and strategies for getting a good night's sleep with a newborn.
Fix their routine, and yours.
Establishing a bedtime routine for your infant is essential so that your child will know when it's time to go to sleep and when it's time to get ready for bed. Your infant will soon be able to tell when it's time to go to sleep thanks to your consistent bedtime routine. It's also crucial to establish a regular schedule for yourself so that your body can relax and get the rest that it needs. While you may have a night feed or two, it will become much simpler to sleep again.
Use breathing techniques
Breathing exercises are more effective than you might believe. Your pulse rate is substantially lower when you're sleeping than when you're awake. Try taking a deep breath in for five seconds and then gently releasing it for eight seconds. This method is used by a lot of people, and they swear by it! If you struggle with sleep apnea, consider getting a new machine to help you sleep and breathe more freely, since your current device could be causing the issue. You can learn more about it here if you’re concerned this is the case.
Allow them to practice self-soothing.
Your newborn has just spent months inside of you and is accustomed to being near you at all times, so it's understandable if they require some support falling asleep. However, it is beneficial for your infant to be able to sleep on their own rather than requiring your presence. Not only will your baby sleep better, but so will you! If they wake up in the middle of the night, they may just self-soothe back to sleep. Make use of these newborn sleep training strategies to ensure that both you and your baby enjoy a good night's rest.
Sleep when they sleep
Seriously! Babies aren't born knowing that when it becomes dark, they go to sleep, therefore your sleeping schedule will be unpredictable at first. Sleeping when they do will allow you to catch up on a few much-needed zzz's so that if and when you are woken during the night, getting out of bed will not be such a difficult thing for you to do.
Make a change in your eating habits.
Finally, when your baby has a schedule, you will be able to relax at night. However, many parents still have trouble sleeping, and this is typically due to the food they eat in the evenings. These foods offer you energy but also create heartburn or indigestion. Consider adjusting your diet to help you fall asleep naturally and wake up feeling rejuvenated!
