How do you combat sleep deprivation in the first year?
Posted January 3, 2014 - 9:40am
I know this is such a common problem, and there really isn't a solution.. but does anyone at all have any advice on trying to get SOME sleep after your baby is born? I'm desperate.
JamieWalker
Maybe this will help??
SuperDuperMom
Well, depending on your living situation, you can try to utilize your partner as effectively as possible. I know that what has been working for me and my husband is switching off every other night who is responsible for getting up to help our son or daughter. I know a lot of couples that switch off in one evening saying you get it this time I got it next time kind of thing but that means that you're never really getting a full night's rest. That's why my husband, Wesley, and I switch off each night. For example, if I have Monday, he gets Tuesday and then I'm back on for Wednesday. My husband travels a fair amount for work so we work out a special schedule when he is getting ready to go out of town.Hope this helps :)
CraigK
That's EXACTLY what we did raising all 3 of our little ones. We just HAD to switch off, and it's not just nights either. Sometimes you're up the entire night and then someone has to get the kids ready for school and be "on" that night. And no matter what, if it was my night to do everything, I wouldn't let my wife Jessica help. She would HAVE to lay down, even an extra hour of sleep in there is better than nothing.
Haymalz
I agree. It's all about teamwork.
SuperDuperMom
And making sure that everyone is pulling their equal weight! Sometimes I feel like I'm doing a lot more than my husband so I just have to sit him down and explain how I'm feeling so that we can be on the same page again.
DanaP
SuperDuperMom is right. If you ever feel like you're overwhelmed with work, tell your partner! Work together to figure out a system that will work for BOTH of you.
sunnykathleen
My ex-husband and I worked out a plan where I breast fed and then he did the diaper chagnes, burping and rocking back to sleep. That way I didn't resent him for not helping out in the night and he got some time to bond with the baby.
MommyUnwired
I barely had sleep during the first year, too, but it will pass, I promise :)
sunnykathleen
I remember when my infant was napping that is when I felt the need to clean and catch up on household chores. What I wish I had done was lay down when the baby was sleeping so I could have been more rested!
sunnykathleen
I remember when my infant was napping that is when I felt the need to clean and catch up on household chores. What I wish I had done was lay down when the baby was sleeping so I could have been more rested!
Frugal Minded M...
I can relate since mine never slept through the night before 9 months at the earliest. Since I'm a stay at home mom I would do all the night time duties. I did nap at least once during the day when the baby would nap. Don't worry about the cleaning. It will be there. Sometimes even just a 20 minute snooze is enough to really revitalize you.
Your Kid's Table
We did the same thing! Took turns, and we let the house go to, well you know what, and would sleep when the baby slept.
mombusywitty
Sleep deprivation in pregnancy is common. And using products like natural pain relief oil and taking naps in between really works, or asking someone from family to look after the child can be done too. So try these tips and make your life easy. Btw The natural pain relief oil is from the moms co. and is works well
mariemiguel0423
Understand your baby's sleep patterns and sleep when your baby is sleep. Don't let stress get on top of you.