Getting Enough Rest as a First-Time Parent

If you are a first-time parent, it might even feel like a miracle you are able to read this article without falling asleep. The truth is many parents become extremely sleep deprived in the first couple of months of being a parent until a routine is formed, and this can be quite the adjustment period.
However, there are a couple of things you can do to help make sure you get as much restful shut-eye as possible.

This piece is going to take a look at them.

Napping Is Your Friend

If sleeping through the night is a distant dream, then getting naps in where you can will help you top up your rest.

The classic saying is to nap whenever your baby is napping, which can be much easier said than done, especially if you have plenty of other things you need to be doing. However, prioritizing a nap when your baby is asleep will help keep you on an even keel and in good health – both of which are essential for being a parent and a functioning human.

Get a Bedtime Routine

Sometimes it is easier said than done getting into a routine when you have just had a baby, but while you are establishing a routine for your little one, make sure to put one in place for yourself too.

Your routine can include anything from having a relaxing bath, doing something for yourself like reading a good book or making sure you have the best sleep set up.

This is no time to be sleeping on a sofa bed or an uncomfortable mattress – up your sleeping game with a comfortable bed from emperor beds so your body is fully supported. You want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.

Negotiate Responsibility

Unless you don’t have a choice, there is no point in both parents being exhausted. If someone has had much less sleep than the other the night before, then adjust accordingly so they can catch up. This will require a bit of preparation, such as breast milk in baby bottles if that’s what you are using, but for the sake of having some extra undisturbed sleep, it could be very much worth it.

Decide the night before who is going to get up to feed and tend to your bundle of joy in the middle of the night and stick to that decision. Knowing you are not on call for the night can help you get a better quality of sleep (if you trust your partner to wake up, that is!).

Conclusion

Being a new parent can be exciting and nerve-wracking, both of which can be exhausting without adding a lack of REM sleep into the equation. Make sure you have a good nighttime routine and a comfortable bed that supports your body, and take time for yourself whenever you can. It is important to look after yourself for you, but also so that you can look after your baby too.