Finding time to sleep after having a baby can be one of the big challenges. You're exhausted and we are here to help. Read on for some tips on coping with lack of sleep.
There are multiple types of mammals; the primary two that we will compare today are carry mammals and cache mammals. Cache mammals, like rabbits, make milk that is high in fat, allowing the mother to leave them in a safe space for long periods of time to hunt for food.
In contrast, humans are carry mammals. Carry mammals are born the most developmentally immature. They need to be held often and fed around the clock. Their milk is low protein and low fat.
When we approach sleep, it is important to remember that human babies are much more immature than the other types of mammals. Human babies' milk digests quickly and they depend on their mother for comfort and nourishment.
This looks very different than what our culture expects of babies. Bringing a baby home, new parents often expect that they will swaddle their baby, lay them in the crib and they will sleep for hours. Oftentimes, this is not the case.
Fortunately, there are ways to cope with lack of sleep during the newborn period!
Reach out for help!
Each person receives help differently. Planning ahead and knowing what kind of help you will need and who in your support system will provide that help can be beneficial.
What type of help you need will be a personal decision. Some parents ask visitors to bring food, or do dishes when they come to visit. Other parents might want someone to hold the baby while they eat a meal or take a nap.
Working as a team with your partner
Taking shifts at night and having a plan for what time you will get a solid chunk of sleep can be a beneficial way to ensure you get a solid chunk of sleep throughout the night.
Get rest when you can
This might mean letting the dishes pile up to lay on the couch or take a nap. Squeezing in time for rest when you are able to can help with your mental and physical health!
5-5-5 Rule
Following the 5-5-5 is recommended by many providers. After birth, hormones give a birthing parent a rush of adrenaline, it is important to remember that birth is physically demanding and to give your body time to heal. When following the 5-5-5 rule, it outlines that you spend 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed and 5 days near the bed. This is a good outline to follow to ensure your body has time to rest to heal. Although, this is more of a suggestion, as it is not usually possible to follow this fully, the more rest you get earlier on, the easier it will be to cope with the exhaustion.
Decide if bed sharing is best for you
Many families make the decision to bed share. This can eliminate the need to physically get up in the middle of the night, thus making sleep easier. If you choose to bed share, The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends following the safe sleep guidelines.
Rest assured, as your baby grows, their stretches of sleep will get longer and it gets easier with time!
Need more help strategizing sleeping and feeding your baby? Book a visit with Wisco Lactation on our website. We offer home & office visit in SE Wisconsin and NE Illinois. We also offer virtual visits worldwide.