The 3 Most Important Ways to Help You Get Enough Sleep as a New Parent

Choosing where to sleep is as important as figuring out “how” to get enough sleep. Whenever you find the opportunity to nap, you should avoid television, social media and your phone. A cool, dark environment is optimal for making the most out of the precious bits of time you have.

If your bedroom is full of natural light, then you may want to invest in some blackout insulation curtains or a silk sleeping mask. If you or your baby suffer from allergies, then look into getting anatural latex mattress and hypoallergenic pillows.

Build a nest that is comfortable for you that can be easily associated with a positive place of rest and rejuvenation. By creating a space that suits your needs while also providing a strong sense of comfort, you will be able to relax any time you return to that space.

The very first thing any experienced baby nurse or seasoned mother will tell you is to always sleep whenever your baby is sleeping. You'll want to go out of your way to try and sleep with your baby at night in addition to quick naps with your infant through the day. As your baby goes for a nap, you should hit the pillow soon.

It can be very tempting to want to try to fill that time handling chores, showering or handle dishes. To avoid succumbing to tidying up instead of resting, remember that staying off postpartum sleep deprivation is more important for your emotional and mental health than a clean house.

Accept your house is dirty and go to sleep. You will want to recognize that you may have to put off personal hygiene routines at times to prioritize sleep. Don’t worry about any secondary needs until all your primary ones are met.

Bringing home a new family member is exciting to share with everyone in your life. During this time you will receive help offers from family members and friends. Make sure you get into the habit of accepting all offers no matter how big or small they may be.

In addition to obvious assistance such as providing care for the baby, a loved one providing you with other forms of help such as completing housekeeping chores or bringing by dinner can help cut down on your overall stress. Learn how to accept and embrace the help that your friends and family offer to you.

Many individuals may have the tendency to automatically decline help when they feel it is polite to do so or due to a feeling of shame when it comes to admitting that they could use assistance. It is important to remember that sleep is a medical necessity everybody needs. Do not turn help away when available.

One of the most important things you need to consider as a new parent is how to appropriately balance your needs along your baby. By making sure you adequately care for your basic needs, you will be able to be a better parent.