Sleep After Birth
October 23, 2008
Adequate quality sleep is critical to health and wellbeing, but sleep is almost impossible to get, when a newborn arrives, with the frequent wakes, tantrums and feedings. It’s exhausting, nerve wrecking, and downright stressful, but it will continue for at least three months, until the infant learns the purpose of night, and sleeps through most of it. In the mean time, there are a number of tips available, which can be applied to accomplish restful and comfortable sleep.
TIP #1: Change the mindset
Although we were used to seven or eight hours a night sleep, and rising anytime we wanted to, it’s all over. After a baby’s birth, six or more hours of sleep per night is rare, and continuous sleep is even more rare. Accept the fact that for at least three months after the baby’s birth, sleep will be broken, and inadequate; hence the reason for maternity leave.
TIP #2: Rest Whenever
Linked to tip number one, it is important to get whatever rest you can, whether it means sitting down with a cup of tea and a book during the infant’s afternoon nap, or an aroma therapeutic bath, after the baby’s tucked in for the first few hours of the night. In other words, make do with any time that becomes available, to relieve stress and relax, even if it’s for five minutes.
TIP #3: Accept help
It is important that the baby’s other relatives, including grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, contribute to the child’s wellbeing, and this may mean the wellbeing of the parents as well. Allow others to take over when stress becomes unbearable; it is a mighty huge change for both child and parent, which will invigorate both. Remember the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, because the village is important to stress reduction.
TIP #4: Prepare a routine
Often time flies without realising it. Change this by planning each month on a strict week-by-week basis, and stick to the plan. Preparation includes meal plans, daily activities, and rest periods. Time management of this nature relieves stress, and affords time for spouses, relatives, friends, and self.
TIP #5: Eat properly
Most new parents overlook the importance of their own health and wellbeing after the birth of their baby, especially when it comes to nutrition. Such a drastic change shocks the body, which results in increased stress, fatigue and aggression. Synchronize and manage meal times with the baby’s sleep time, so that meals are not missed, especially breakfast, which is still ‘the most important meal of the day’.
Adoption of these five tips by new parents is sure to benefit them, and contribute positively to their health and wellbeing, and thus their parenting.
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