Parenting
/ December 2018

5 Ways for New Parents to Get More Sleep

To all the tired new parents out there, the ones who put ‘sleep’ at the top of their Christmas gift wish list, this post is for you. With a kid, toddler, newborn, puppy, full-time job, and a house to keep up – I know that life is never Instagram perfect. Parenting is beautiful, but messy. It is fun, but hard. It is rewarding, but exhausting. Today I’m sharing some useful tips for getting a better night’s sleep, especially for brand new parents who are feeding your babe at all hours of the night. This post is sponsored by Baby Dove. Thank you, readers, for supporting the brands that make my blog possible.

5 Ways for New Parents to Get More Sleep

Sometimes getting the sleep you need can feel like an impossible task as new parents. The more tired you get, the harder it is to implement healthy habits that will help. Exhaustion can become a downward spiral. These tips are a few things that have helped me get a better night’s sleep as a new mom!

1. Develop a Morning Routine

Try your best to wake up at the same time every morning. Do this even if you don’t have a job outside of the home, and your kids are too little for school. Getting up at the same time every morning forms habits that make going to bed easier. A simple morning routine makes it easier to get up at the same time every day.

We like to start the day with a shower or a bath. We have a nice big shower that makes it easy for me to shower all three kiddies at the same time. Zoey and Zander look forward to lathering their bodies with Baby Dove Rich Moisture Tip to Toe Wash all by themselves every morning. Of course I supervise, but small independent actions like this make them excited. This body wash is tear-free, making it the perfect in-shower body wash for little kids.

I also like this particular Baby Dove wash because it can be used for all three of my kids, even our newborn. It is so gentle on their skin, and I love the soft scent.

After the shower, our morning routine includes getting dressed and eating breakfast together. Next is independent play time for Zoey, while Zander and Violet nap, and I work at my computer. A simple morning routine helps me know exactly what my morning will look like. It also ensures I’m productive, even when I wake up feeling too tired to plan the day.

2. Feed Yourself

This tip might sound obvious, but it is something a lot of new parents miss. There are so many times I make my kids meals as quickly as possible, and then lay on the couch nearby to just get a quick break because I am so tired. I often forget to feed myself!

Recently I’ve been making a conscious effort to always prepare my meals at the same time as I prepare my kids’ food. Often I realize my exhaustion was due to the fact that I was starving. I feel significantly better and more energetic when I get a good meal.

If you are tired all the time, pay more attention to what and when you are eating. Chances are your diet isn’t where it needs to be! Take care of yourself by feeding yourself.

3. Get Newborn Feedings in During the Day

Most babies are able to sleep to sleep 12 hours a night by 12 weeks. You just need to make sure they are getting the right amount of food during the day. Experts say that if your child is at least 9lbs and drinking 24oz. of breast milk or formula throughout the day, they can sleep 12 hours at night.

Many new parents don’t realize this and fail to keep track of the exact amount of food their child is receiving throughout the day. It is natural to make decisions based off hunger cues such as crying or fussing. Creating a feeding schedule and monitoring how much they eat can feel daunting, but it will make a huge difference in your baby’s ability to sleep at night. Aim to get in four, 6oz feedings, every 3 hours through the day, by the time your child is 3 months old.

Helping your child get enough food during the day will help them sleep better and longer at night. This in turn allows you to get a better night’s sleep! These tips are not medical advice, they don’t apply to babies born prematurely or with health issues. Always consult with your pediatrician when making decisions about your child’s health.

4. Create a Bedtime Routine

Just like a morning routine can help you and your kids feel more energetic, a bedtime routine can help everyone relax. Try and start your bedtime routine at the same time every night so it becomes a pattern.

Our bedtime routine starts with dinner, then we do pj’s and brushing teeth. Finally, the kids get to watch 20 minutes of their favorite cartoons before we do their bedtime ‘sticker chart’, and then they hop into bed. The routine takes about an hour. By the time we make it to their beds they are both ready to say goodnight and fall asleep.

We like to do showers in the morning, but many parents find bath time at night to be a great way to help kids relax. This isn’t our normal routine, but if the kids have been playing outside a lot and are especially dirty, I will do baths instead of cartoons.

We always use the Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Bar for bath time! It is made with 100% skin-natural nutrients combined with gentle cleansers to help replenish skin lipids and keep delicate baby skin nourished and healthy. Like our Baby Dove Rich Moisture Tip to Toe Wash, it has a gentle fragrance that is baby friendly.

5. Avoid Situations and Conditions That Cause Infant Restlessness

One thing that can really help your kids sleep better through the night is avoiding things that make them restless. Pay attention to what specifically triggers your child and makes them cranky. Try your best to avoid these. Although sickness is unavoidable at times, do your best to keep hands clean and avoid ailments such as dry skin or diaper rashes as best you can.

If you have ever tried to put an over-stimulated, tired toddler to bed, you know what a circus that can be. Since becoming parents, Kris and I have often pointed out how funny it is that the more tired kids get, the less they want to sleep. As much as possible, stick to your child’s nap routine and avoid keeping them out too late. Kids go to bed better when they are happy, then when they are overtired.

Colds and flus are common this time of year. Frequent hand washing can help reduce your chance of getting one. Dry skin is also a huge problem in the winter and can cause discomfort. Dry skin can make it hard for your children to sleep! Try adding moisturizer to your morning or night routine if your child struggles with dry skin. We love using Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Lotion. It is made with 100% skin-natural nutrients and gentle moisturizers that give up to 24 hours of moisture. It also provides instant relief to dry skin from the first use.

When your baby is happy and healthy they are much more likely to sleep well at night! And when they sleep well at night, you know what that means! You get a good night’s sleep too.

Parenting will always have its ups and downs, but taking a few small steps toward a healthier routine can make a huge difference in helping you as new parents get the sleep you need (and deserve). If you want to incorporate some of my favorite Baby Dove products into your routine, use this coupon to save up to $1.50 on your next Baby Dove product, and don’t forget to check out their adorable new video.