How to Get Sleep as a New Mom

Being a new mom all over again myself, it took me some time to get adjusted again to the little to no sleep you get with having a new baby. I had my first baby over 6 years ago, and you quickly forget how those endless night can really put a toll on your body and mind. My newest baby is just about to hit the 4 month mark, and it took me a while to set up a little sleep routine again. I would like to share with you my tips on how I finally got back into the swing of things and now am getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night! Can I get an Amen from the new moms out there!

Tip 1
Dad can bottle feed too!
At first your baby will get up at least one time through out the night. Even if you breast feed, you can get the husband involved and switch nights. Every other night allow the dad to get up and feed the baby. If you use formula, this will not be hard at all, however if you are breast feeding, you will need to pump your milk and have a pre-made bottle ready for him to go at night!

Tip 2
Nap time is your nap time!
I understand that when the baby is sleeping this will be your time to get all the things done around the house that needs to be, like laundry, cooking, cleaning and paying bills, however you need this quite time to catch some zzz's as well. Take full advantage of it. If your baby takes an hour nap, after your baby falls asleep set your alarm for 30 to 45 minutes. You will get a quick snooze, and then be up to get little things done before she or he wakes up. While the baby is up and alert, invest into a baby carrier or bouncy seat to keep the baby close by and entertained while you do the things you need to get done!

Tip 3
Bath time makes baby sleepy!
I know with the weather getting colder, we don't want to bath the baby at night and have them be opened up to getting sick. Trust me I understand this 100 percent, however if you bath your baby at night and then create quite throughout the house a half an hour before, and after, this will make your baby sleep more soundly and longer at night. If you are afraid of the colder temperatures at night then invest in a small space heater and put it in the room and or bathroom you are using to bath your baby! Keep it away from water and turned on low!

Tip 4
Sleep with the baby!
I know, I know all the books tell you that sleeping with your baby is not recommended. But, can I have a raise of hands to who slept with their parents when they were younger? And with that show of hands can I ask how many who said yes, had a great amounts of sleep? I know when I was growing up I slept with my parents and I turned out perfectly fine! My first child slept with me and my husband until he was 4 and he sleeps great on his own now! Now, my second child is sleeping with us and I wouldn't change it for the world. If having your baby sleep in the crib, screaming all night is keeping everyone in the house awake, then do not feel bad when you put that baby in the bed next to you. Your sanity is very important! When you get little sleep, trust me you tend to go insane though out the day! You do not have to be by the books, new moms out there, follow your instincts!

Tip 5
Doctor Please!
If you have tried ever tying else, then it maybe time to talk to your doctor on advise he or she may give you. Not just your doctor but the babies doctor as well. The pediatrician might recommend some lotions or oils that may calm your baby, or even changing formula to stop fussiness. Your doctor may recommend some over the counter medications to help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. If they suggest this for you, MAKE SURE you have someone there to get up with the baby at night because you will not want to risk being out of it while the baby is screaming and you are trying to feed them the bottle backwards and snapping up their nighties with no diaper on!

The big tip of all for new moms out there is just to remain calm. It takes a good couple months before you will start to see your baby sleeping longer at night and in no time at all your baby will start sleeping through the night. My baby boy now sleeps from 9:30 at night to 6:30 in the morning and he has been doing this for a month now. I thought at first I would never get there, but time just passed by so fast and here I am now. Remember in a year or two you will wish you had this time back so just relax and enjoy each and every sleepless moment! And also, payback will come one day in the form of GRANDKIDS!