Sleep.
It’s something every parent dreams of. It’s consistently inconsistent, but it’s crucial. No matter how many hours of shut-eye you get a night, it never feels like enough, especially as a new mom (whether it’s for the first time or the fifth time). Those first few weeks with a newborn feel a bit like sleepwalking, with a lack of schedule, broken sleep, and adjusting to the new little one in your life. In fact, the average new parent loses one-third of their nightly sleep after having a baby and cites loss of sleep as a top challenge to parenting.
It’s not just about the amount of sleep you get. It’s also the quality of sleep. According to a survey conducted by Mattress Firm, 33% of respondents fell asleep at work, and 22% fell asleep STANDING UP. When you are so tired you are sleeping while standing, it’s obvious that lack of sleep has an impact on everything. So what can you do to make sure you are getting good sleep, even if it isn’t enough?
Establish a sleep schedule
Just because the new little bundle of joy in your life doesn’t have a schedule (ugh, day/night confusion) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Create a soothing routine to help you get ready for bed. Take a few deep breaths, read a few pages of a great book, journal — whatever it takes! Do something to help you relax, turn off the technology, and get into bed around the same time every night. There is so much to do, but chances are, it can wait.
Go to sleep.
Get a sleep mask
Sleep masks are inexpensive and a must for a good night of sleep. I love to slip mine on right before settling down for the night to make sure it’s nice and dark. No light gets through, and I fall asleep a lot faster when I have it on. It usually slips off in the night, but after every night feeding, I’d put it right back on as I settled back down. I think it helped send a signal to my brain to wind down and start the sleep process!
Find the optimal temperature
It’s impossible to sleep when it’s too hot or too cold. Find the temperature that helps you relax and settle in for the night. I keep it a little on the colder side since I like to bundle up with lots of blankets. I sleep better when it’s a bit cold, but you need to do what works for you! It sounds like such a silly thing, but the whole atmosphere in your room will greatly impact your sleep.
Lavender oil
Lavender is a calming and soothing oil that helps promote good sleep. I like to put a few drops in a diffuser, put a drop on my pillow, or even rub it on the bottom of my feet.
Invest in a quality mattress
One of my first big purchases out of college was a full-size mattress. It was so cozy, and it was all mine. That mattress went with me from apartment to apartment and crossed state lines a few times. Once I got pregnant, it was clear that mattress wasn’t cutting it. The time had come to invest in a decent, new mattress and give my body the good sleep it needed.
When I was up all hours of the night tossing and turning with a growing belly, and then breastfeeding and trying to figure out life with a newborn, having a comfortable space to lay down and try to fall back asleep was key. Eventually (after my third baby), we upgraded our mattress again and invested in an adjustable base. This was gentler on my back when I was nursing, let me literally put my feet up to reduce swelling, and helped me find my optimal sleep position.
These days, sleep is a bit better, but even when it’s not enough it’s good sleep. As a mom of three, I definitely work hard, but I sleep even harder!
Want more tips on how moms can get their best sleep? Check out the infographic below from Mattress Firm and #WorkHardSleepHarder.
If you’re ready for a new mattress, you can find a local store or shop online!
