How to Get Enough Sleep When You Have a Newborn

What new parents need more than almost anything else is sleep. It is definitely a challenge to get enough sleep while taking care of a newborn, but it can be done.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Bathtubs
• Baby Blankets
• Cribs
• Cribs

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!"

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

3. Turn off the ringer on the telephone and let the machine answer all calls. Return calls when you feel like it. People will understand.

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

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

6. Accept all offers of help from friends and family. Let them come over and do a load of laundry, or even cook a family meal, while you sleep.

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.

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.

Tips & Warnings

• 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, 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.

on 11/22/2005 If you plan to breastfeed, use a pump and bottle the milk so your husband can share some of those midnight responsibilities.

on 11/22/2005 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.

on 11/22/2005 When the baby is fed during the night, place a heating pad on a low setting in the bed while he's feeding. Just before returning the sleeping baby to his bed, pull out the heating pad and the baby won't wake when he feels the bed. It's warm and cozy.