Sleep deprivation
Sleep
deprivation is an inevitable consequence of having a new baby – in fact
research suggests new parents lose a staggering two months of sleep in the
first year of their baby’s life – up to 90 minutes each night, which pretty
much adds up to a whole night’s sleep every week.
Add to this, the fact that
women claim to lose more sleep than their partners do (one percent of women say
they could sleep through their baby’s cries compared to 43 percent of men), and
you can see why the survey suggested sleep deprivation can put a strain on
relationships.
This
is why it is important that you have lots of support from your partner. Talk to him before your baby is
born about how you can share out some of the sleep disruptions when your baby
arrives, and you won’t feel so alone. Of course, you may be one of those lucky
people who can survive on small amounts of sleep, but coupled with the demands
of your new baby when she is awake, most people will find night times are less
restful than they need. For this reason, plan your time well. Don’t worry about
chores when your baby is small – use nap times as an opportunity to put your
feet up and even have a little doze on the couch. You need to conserve your
energy, not expend it, at this stage. The good news is that by around three months, babies begin to settle into much
more of a routine and sleeping should be more predictable for everyone
concerned. Here are some hot tips for dealing with sleep deprivation:
- Nap when your baby does or ask
somebody to babysit for an hour or two while you sleep. Don’t feel guilty: in
different cultures a new mom’s mother takes over for the first 40 days!
- Exercise as much as possible. Even if it’s just a spin around the
block with the stroller, getting some fresh air and upping your heart rate a
bit is essential for helping your body rest properly later.
- Avoid unnecessary stress or
pressure into your life. Make sure you say no to people who might not realize
how tiring your new role is. This means demands from bosses, partners, friends
or family. Make yourself a priority at this time.
Why
not chat to other moms about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on our
chat
forum. Alternately, if you want to meet other moms in your area
with similar age babies, visit our people section to find out what’s
happening in your area. If you have any unanswered questions, use our questions page to gain wisdom from other
moms or our resident experts for all those pregnancy or baby-related niggles.
Have a look at our kit section where we list our favorite baby gear.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.