Bedtime routines extend to overtired parents too: Dim lights, relaxing music, and a strategically set alarm 30 minutes before bedtime can all help to prime family members to fall asleep fast.
While swaddling isn’t necessary for infants, it may help significantly with soothing and overall safety during sleep. This can elongate sleep time for the baby, which can mean more uninterrupted sleep time for parents.
it’s essential for parents to catch some Zs wherever possible—and the biggest opportunity presents itself as soon as the child falls asleep.
Breaking down overnight parenting responsibilities into shifts will help each of you catch some extra REM cycles throughout the week.
turn off your phone or put it outside of your bedroom. Electronic devices may push bedtime off by keeping your brain stimulated.
Some pediatricians recommend parents start sleep training when a baby is as young as 4 months old, as around this time is when their circadian rhythm kicks in and their sleep cycles mature.
Staying grounded with non-baby activities, whether going out for a quick walk, catching up with an old friend, journaling, or making time for a cardio workout, all lower stress levels throughout the day.
New parents who are severely sleep-deprived should avoid driving a vehicle, opting instead for delivery and shipping services when possible.
Calling a friend to vent, taking advantage of counseling (virtual or in-person), and dividing up responsibilities with a partner can help take some of the burdens off and offer essential breaks to a newly hectic lifestyle.
Pumping after a morning breastfeeding and storing the milk can provide a much-needed break at a later feeding if another parent or caregiver can bottle-feed with the expressed milk.