How to Survive Baby Not Sleeping Through the Night: Nap Time for Mommy

It is often said regarding newborn babies that a parent can say goodbye to getting a good night’s sleep ever again. Although this is an exaggeration, it is true to say that things change literally overnight when a baby is born. Babies do not lie down to sleep for eight hours like adults are supposed to, but wake at least every three hours in order to feed. As the keen-eyed among us will have noticed, this means that a parent’s sleeping pattern will be disturbed at least twice, on average, by a new baby and, even if parents take it in turns to get up and feed the baby there will still be no little disruption.

Add to this the fact that the mother probably has not been sleeping well with her large belly before the baby is born, and you might find yourself in a very stressful situation.

The lack of sleep can get to parents.

Frayed nerves are an almost inevitable effect of having a new baby in the house, and anyone living with a new parent will be well-advised to learn how to tread carefully so that they do not aggravate an already emotional person. Sleep is important, and there are ways that a sleeping pattern can be protected to an extent if not completely in the early days of having a new child. As anyone who has tried to wake someone else up will know, there are stages of awakeness. It is possible to feed a baby while still half-awake, although this is easier for the mother. With a baby bottle warmer it is, however, not impossible for a father or other family member to do the same – it just requires collaboration.

How to survive baby sleep patterns: Tip 1

Nap time for Mommy

With our five children we have experienced a few different challenges with our infants and thier nightly sleep patterns. Over time, I look forward to sharing with you some of our struggles and triumphs. My main tip for you today is to take your chances to sleep when you get them. Is the baby napping during the day? Consider taking a nap yourself. A rested mother is a more relaxed mother and more prepared to engage with her young baby.