Kitchenability

03.21.2018

How To Survive Sleep Deprivation As A New Mom

“Hey, are you feeling okay? You look tired.”

Contributor Article: Sarah Cummings

 

If you’re the mother of a newborn baby, you may or may not have been asked this question a few times in recent history. If so, congratulations - you’re just like every other first-time mother ever. Be proud. Who needs sleep, anyway?

Oh, that’s right. You do. Because you have tasks that must be accomplished throughout the day…like taking care of your newborn child.

The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep every night to function properly in their everyday lives.

 

If you only get a couple of hours sleep here and there at night, tossing and turning in your bed, you accumulate what’s known as “sleep debt”. Sleep debt isn’t something that you can get back by sleeping in the next night; it can only be paid back by getting more consistent and frequent sleep over time.

However, if you have a newborn that’s less than three months old, that’s much easier said than done. As you know, their sleep cycles are all over the place.

Well, then. How does one manage to get a decent night’s sleep when they have a baby that could scream at any moment in the night, stirring you and the rest of the household from their precious, peaceful slumber?

Hmm. Good question. Here are a few tips on how to survive sleep deprivation as a new mom.

 

Ask for help with night feedings

This one is a lifesaver for tuckered out moms everywhere.

Asking your friend, relative, spouse, significant other, landlord, or cable guy to take over the night shift and feed your newborn baby for you while you’re busy being blissfully conked out is a great way to rejuvenate yourself when you need the extra Zs to function.

You can fill up a container with formula or breastmilk and have the substitute feeder of your choice give baby their bottle while you’re hitting the sack.

Remember: mothers need deep sleep to replenish their body’s resources. This will do wonders to help you in reaching this important level of sleep you’ll need to support your little banshee in the bassinet when the sun’s up.

 

Try sleep training

If you haven’t heard of it before, sleep training is one of the most reliable ways to get your young’n’ to get to sleep at night. However, it also happens to be one of the most controversial.

Some parents believe that they shouldn’t have to train their kids on when and how to sleep, while others swear by the practice and testify that coaching their baby has helped develop a more sturdy sleep architecture for them in the long run.

Whatever stance you take on the matter, it really comes down to what’s best for your child and what they respond to the most. Therefore, if sleep training seems to be something that helps them out significantly and manages to get them in bed at a time that’s decent for you both, then run with it.

 

One of the most popular styles of sleep training is known as the “no tears method”.

Designed by sleep expert Elizabeth Pantley, this technique, also known as the no-cry method, revolves around slowly easing your child out of familiar sleep habits that they may have become overly dependent on.

For example, if they insist on being rocked to sleep at night, try gradually rocking them less and less a little bit each night until you don’t have to rock them anymore at all. Or, you can try substituting the act with another one and see what happens.

Another sleep training technique, the Weissbluth method, is a bit more on the drastic side. This involves establishing a solid bedtime routine for your baby, then leaving their bedroom as soon as its finished and not entering back in until the morning comes, despite any crying you may hear.

Jeez, Louise. No wonder this topic sparks so much controversy.

Take sleep vacations

Now here’s a really good idea. This kind of ties into the first survival tip we mentioned, but it’s still a legitimate one on its own.

 

If you can, get someone you know to babysit your child for the night. Then, go off somewhere - like your in-laws or a relative’s or friend’s place, maybe even a hotel room - and have a good, peaceful night’s sleep to yourself, where no one can bother you.

 

That is if you’re able to sleep and not constantly wake up because you’re on edge. If so, take some Melatonin or do something relaxing to unwind before you drift off to that lovely land of slumber that you’ve been sorely missing lately.

 

We hope these three tips on how to improve your sleep cycle as the mother of a newborn baby have inspired you to take action and tame the adorable little bully that’s keeping you awake at all hours of the night. Good luck, and sweet dreams!