How To Handle Sleep Deprivation as a New Mom

When babies are born, everything changes. Gone are the nights where you sleep 8 hours straight through the night. Now, you may be waking up every hour of the night to feed, change and rock to sleep a fussy little human that you created. Although baby snuggles truly are the best medicine for most things, it happens to be the opposite for sleep deprivation. So what can you do to combat sleep deprivation as a new parent? Read on and find out!

#1: Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize!

Those dishes can wait. The laundry can be folded later on when you have more energy. I found that when my little man was born, I had a really hard time prioritizing my energy. Before baby, I was used to being able to do whatever I wanted, basically whenever I wanted to. If I felt tired and wanted to take a nap while at home, I totally could. If I had mustered up the energy and motivation to do the laundry or do the dishes or vacuum, I could at the spur of a moment. But, that is no longer the case, and that is where prioritizing comes in.

You must realize that with a new little one to take care of, your time is a lot more limited than it was before. Be sure to take care of what is most important first. Is baby fed, warm and changed? Yes? Okay good! The next thing on the list should not be dishes or chores if you have not yet taken care of yourself (or your other children). When you are well taken care of, you are much better able to take care of the other things that need caring for in a more timely and enjoyable manner.

Make sure your needs are being met, so that way you can continue to be the rocking mama that you are every single day! And don’t beat yourself up if the dishes stay in the sink an extra day or the laundry doesn’t get switched from the washer to the dryer the exact moment that the washer beeps. You’re doing a great job!

#2: Sleep When The Baby Sleeps

I know that this really does sound cliche, but it really is a good idea, especially when dealing with sleep deprivation. It also goes hand in hand with number one. When you lay your baby down for a nap and you are feeling exhausted yourself, that is the perfect time for you to get some shut eye too.

Even if it is just a 20 minute nap, studies have shown that the ideal nap is between 20 and 25 minutes anyways. It might not seem like a super long time, but it is enough time to refresh yourself for a few hours until baby naps again. Think of a nap like a Zamboni for your mind. It wipes the ice smooth again for the next round of skating (or in this case, the next round of thinking, crying and dirty diapers.)

#3: Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help When You Need It

Whether you have to have your significant other watch the baby for a few hours while you nap, and you take turns doing that, or you take the baby to a family members house for the day while you both rest, never be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help does not make you a bad parent, and it does not make you weak either. Remind yourself that you are better able to care for your little one when you are not sleep deprived. Therefore, taking care of yourself is a good parenting decision because it means you will be more attentive to your child after you get some rest.