1. Cut yourself some slack
Just because someone else’s baby is sleeping through the night and yours is still up 2 or 3 times, don’t think you’re doing something wrong. All babies are different; all parents parent differently. It’s normal for babies to have erratic sleep patterns. Try not to compare yourself with others. This parenting job is hard enough as it is. Doing it on little sleep every day? It’s an enormous task, and yet you’re doing it.
2. Prioritise sleep
Sleep is so critical to health and happiness, yet if you’re busy looking after a baby and running a household, it can become your lowest priority. If you’re not getting enough sleep, be gentle with yourself. Use any opportunity you can to get a little bit of extra rest. Take the often given advice to “sleep when baby sleeps”. The washing and dirty dishes can wait.
3. Tag out
If you’ve reached the end of your physical and mental reserves – or preferably well before this stage – ask someone to look after your baby so you can have some downtime. Can your partner or someone else take over the night feeds so you can put your earplugs in and try to get a few hours' solid? Or is there someone who can watch your baby for a few hours during the day?
4. Try some gentle exercise
Being cooped up inside with a baby when you’re really tired can make things start to feel overwhelming. Take your baby out for a walk in the buggy or see if there are any ‘baby and mum’ exercise classes you can join. Getting out in the fresh air and natural daylight will make you more alert and is a good distraction from your tiredness. Raising your heart rate can also boost your mood – which can make you feel less tired.
Image credit: 123rf
5. Stretch and breathe
When you’re overtired it can be hard to sleep, even when you get the chance. You may feel panicky when you’re given a few free hours to rest and be too wound up to relax. Yoga is wonderful for exercising your body and relaxing your mind. Try practicing at home so you can stay resting in shavasana (the rest period at the end of a yoga class) for as long as you can. Walking meditations and mindfulness exercises can also help focus and relax your mind when you are busy looking after baby.
6. Give yourself a bedtime
We know our kids don’t function well if they’re short on sleep. We don’t either – we’re just a little better at hiding it. Avoid screen time before bed. It gets in the way of melatonin release, confusing the biological clock that keeps time in your brain and prepares you for sleep. Yes, your social media feed may be your lifeline to the world, but it could also be keeping you up at night.
7. Find your people
Coffee mornings and mum’s groups can be a great source of support. You can bond over who is the most sleep deprived and rally each other to get through the next few days. There are also excellent online groups where you can join a community of parents for mutual support.
Parents nearly always say that having children was one of the best things that ever happened to them. But being exhausted can take the shine off your parenting experience. If you’re really struggling and are not able to get the rest or support you need, seek help. Ring Plunketline 0800 933 922 anytime day or night for free support for advice and support.
