Sleep Tips For New Moms
Now that your newborn is here or on the way and you’ve taken on the prestigious title of “Mom,” a full night’s sleep will (unfortunately) be a thing of the past. Though, it’s important to remember that your sleep circumstances will improve as your baby grows, gets older, and transitions through different milestones. In the meantime, here are a few tips and tricks you can use to try to maximize rest during your baby’s first year.
Proper Sleep Hygiene For You And Your Child
While you’re getting used to the change of a new addition to your family, bring some consistency back to your life with a nightly bedtime routine with your child. Experts say that one of the first things to develop in a young child is nighttime sleep. In turn, your child typically sleeps the longest in that first rest of the night.
Once you get into the habit of doing the same relaxing practices before bed, it will signal you and your baby’s body when it’s time to wind down for bed. Here are a few things you can try:
Change them out of their daytime clothes into cozy pajamas and a fresh diaper.
Read your child a bedtime story before bed to help relax both of you. Just six minutes of reading before bed can lower stress levels by 68%, and reading aloud to your child at an early age helps promote language development.
Sing them a lullaby.
Give them a warm bath.
Talk in hushed tones with dimmed lighting when bedtime nears.
