Dealing With Fatigue During Your Baby's First Few Months

I remember my first night home from the hospital very well. It was about 4 a.m. and my daughter was up yet again for another feeding. As I sat in the rocking chair feeding her and halfheartedly watching T.V., a hotel commercial came on. I can still picture the image in my head of the man in the commercial coming out of his hotel room, smiling as he stretched his arms wide and the narrator announced what a good night's sleep you'd get at the hotel. I remember watching that and feeling with extreme conviction that I would never sleep that well again. Well, I did, later on. In the meantime, here are some tips to get you through those trying first few months of postpartum fatigue.

Take turns

Knowing that my husband had to get up at 6 a.m. every morning to go to work, I tried to be nice by being the one to get up with our baby. Looking back, I can see what I was doing was detrimental. Even if your spouse is working, don't forget that you're working too, and that a mother's job lasts all day and night. So take turns putting the baby to bed at night and changing midnight diapers. That's what my husband and I ended up doing and I felt less fatigue as a result.

Take advantage of offers for help

A lot of new moms like to think they can do it all, and they either refuse offers for help or don't take people up on those offers. If a guest asks what they can do for you, they usually aren't just trying to be nice. People really do love to help out when there's a new baby involved. So if someone asks you if they can help you in any way, take advantage of that!

Consider cosleeping

One solution to the hassle of getting up to feed the baby is to cosleep with your baby. The day I decided to let my daughter sleep next to me rather than in her cradle, I got so much more sleep. This especially works well for moms who breastfeed. Because you are sleeping right next to your baby, neither of you has to get up to get the baby. Also, because your baby is right next to you, his cries don't have to get to the point of hysteria before you hear them, and he'll calm down so much faster.

Take a time out when you need one

And you thought you wouldn't have to deal with time-outs for another couple years or so! Sometimes, fatigue can get to you, especially when paired with an inconsolable or colicky baby. Make sure to take a break if you need to, whether it's a five minute break where you put your baby in her crib and read a little or a few hours where you have a family member come and watch her.

More from this contributor:
Benefits of Co-Sleeping with your Baby
Tips for Getting Your Baby to Fall Asleep
How to Calm a Fussy Baby