Dont worry its completely normal And we have some sleeping tips to help you ensure that you make the most of your sleep in those difficult early weeks
Sleeping tip 1 When they sleep you sleep
This is the oldest sleeping tip of all for new parents Rather than expecting to maintain your old sleep schedule its far better to take advantage of their nap times to sleep yourself Dont spend this valuable time cleaning or catching up with friends Until things get into more of a routine this is your golden opportunity
This sleeping tip might mean going to bed earlier than you normally would but it does mean you will avoid going too far into a sleep debt that will make you exhausted
Sleeping tip 2 Have your baby sleep in their own bed
While it can be wonderful to hold a sleeping baby its going to be hard for you to get your own sleep if you are holding them Once they are either about to go to sleep or happily settled put them to sleep in their own cot and then you can get on to tip number three
Sleeping tip 3 Arrange naps
When you are in sleep debt one good way to balance things is to take short naps These can be quite short from 10 20 minutes or even up to 40 minutes but they work well as a way to top up on sleep and keep your energy levels high You can of course take a nap while your baby is sleeping but you can also arrange different shifts with your partner to ensure that at least one of you is able to get some sleep while the other watches the baby If you dont have a partner ask a friend or relative to help out and let you get some rest
Sleeping tip 4 Keep your own room ready for sleep
Make sure your own sleeping arrangements are conducive to getting a quick nap Ensure that your room is neither too hot nor cold keep it dark and make sure everything is as comfortable as possible With your room all ready it will be easier for you to get some quality rest when your little ones finally close their eyes
Sleeping tip 5 Dont put yourself under pressure
There is no magic way to stop babies from waking every few hours for a feed Its completely natural Even more frustratingly there is no guaranteed pattern for every baby What works one week may not work the next and your babys sleep pattern could continue to change Thats just part of your little one growing up
But one thing is certainly true the more you worry about getting to sleep the harder it will be So try to relax accept that things will be difficult sleep wise but remember that its only temporary
With all this said do listen to friends and family If they mention that they are worried or if you find you are feeling lower than usual and your lack of sleep is starting to cause you serious problems then reach out to a sleep expert We are here to help
