How to Get Sleep With a Newborn

Labor and delivery take a toll on the body and require an adequate amount of rest to properly recover. But how can a new mom possibly get the sleep she needs with a newborn to care for? Follow these steps to get sleep when caring for your newborn.

Instructions

1. Prepare your home before the baby comes. Clean, cook and do as much preparation as you can before the birth of your baby. The more cleaning, organizing and cooking you do before the baby comes home, the less you'll need to do once she arrives.

2. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Make it a rule of thumb to lie down and rest when your baby is sleeping. Take advantage of this time to catch up on your own sleep. if you have older children, be sure to nap when they nap or to nap while they are at school and you are home alone with baby.

3. Invest in a co-sleeper. A bassinet with a drop side that pulls up and attaches to the bed can help you get more sleep. The less moving and maneuvering you need to do come midnight, the more sleep you will get.

4. Disconnect your phone. Set your phone ringers off so that your sleep is not inturrupted. Utilize your voice mail and only answer calls when you are willing and able to chat.

5. Enlist help. Many new parents split the nighttime feedings so both parents get some quality sleep. Others enlist grandparents to help out during the day so they can get a much needed nap. If you are feeling exhausted, ask for help.

6. Don't commit to anything. Avoid committing to events and activities in advance and instead take things day by day. Your rest and recovery are most important now and social obligations can prevent you from getting the rest you need.

Tips & Warnings

• Never fall asleep with baby in your bed. Serious injury or death can occur from loose bedding, suffocation or accidental rolling on baby.