You’ve probably already been warned by just about everyone you’ve told about your pregnancy from the start. Sleepless nights are in your future! And yes, yes indeed, they certainly are. However, don’t let those scare warnings get to you too much, it’s always possible you’ll get one of those babies who eats and sleeps like clockwork and has their first overnight rest, somehow miraculously, inside the first month home. But just in case you’re like the other 99.9999% of us who didn’t get one of those miracle babies, here’s three helpful tips to get rid of those eye bags and incessant yawns.
3 Helpful Tips to Improve Sleep for New Moms
Keep these three tips in mind as your pregnancy approaches its end.
Talk about it – Talk about it with every family member who will be able to help once the baby is born. You won’t believe how you’ll be able to power 
through just because you know Mom-in-Law will be over in just a few….more… long hours. Talk with your partner or spouse as well. Make a calender of nighttime baby care activities for each of you if it makes you feel better, but don’t, absolutely do not, freak out if your partner sleeps through a baby crying, or a planned babysitter had to call off. If you’ve worked it out well with all of the family and friends you have who desperately want to get their hands on your little bundle of joy, you’ll always have relief just around the corner. And believe me, those spouses and partners have their ways of redeeming those missed times, they’ll make up for it when you’re needing it most desperately.
Say No to Extra Responsibilities – It doesn’t matter what you had planned pre-baby. If you don’t feel you can stand up to those previous responsibilities, don’t. It’s that simple. You’re going to need to conserve what energy you do have for those last night feedings early on. If previously planned activities are non-negotiable, perhaps lunch at school with one of your older children, send the next best replacement in your stead. Uncle Tim is your oldest child’s favorite family member? Uncle Tim it is.
Sleep When Baby Sleeps – This is a no-brainer. Just do this. If you feel yourself drifting off to sleep as your newborn does, keep on drifting. Don’t get up and do housework, don’t take this time to make next week’s grocery list, don’t head to the laundry room. No matter what, those things can wait. They should wait. Refreshing your body with much-needed rest and relaxation can not.
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