Baby sleep tips to help you survive the bleary newborn days, including both practical tips plus coping strategies for when your baby won’t sleep.
Baby Sleep Tips to Help You Survive Those Draining Early Days
No matter how often you hear about the exhaustion of being a new parent, nothing can prepare you for the physical toll it takes. What fewer people discuss is the mental and emotional impact lack of sleep also causes.
We know that lack of sleep is considered torture, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll imagine it to be a bit of an exaggeration when parents speak of it in those terms.
Alas, if you’re reading this then you’ll know that for many of us, it’s sadly accurate.
But, having birthed two monsters myself, neither of whom were great sleepers and one who was an absolute monster – and remains so at four years old! – I have developed several tips and strategies that I hope will help you…
Baby Sleep Tips and Advice to Help the Whole Family Sleep Better
Baby sleep tips to maximise rest for the whole family, without resorting to sleep training.
Reviewing Your Baby's Sleep Schedule
Before thinking about whether you need to implement any changes, it’s worth considering whether your baby’s sleep patterns are biologically and/or anecdotally typical for a baby of their age.
Is Your Baby Going Through the 4 Month Sleep Regression?
The next thing to consider is whether there’s a legitimate reason behind your baby’s disturbed sleep, so that you know whether intervening is likely to benefit your infant or not.
Discover what can cause a disruption to your little one’s routine, how long it might last and, crucially, how to survive the 4 month sleep regression.
7 Month Sleep Regression - Gentle Advice That Works
Likewise, the 7 month sleep regression comes just a few short months later, but for different reasons and with different coping strategies. Find out whether this applies to your infant.
Overtired Baby & Other Reasons Infants Fight Sleep, Plus How to Fix It - Or Work With It!
Wahhh – is there anything more frustrating than a baby fighting sleep?!
You can see – and hear – they’re absolutely shattered. Yet they fight it and fight it and fight it, while you desperately shush and rock and perhaps resort to a drive in the car. Sound familiar?
Find out what different reasons your baby may be resisting sleep and how you can help them (and therefore you too) get the rest they need:
How to Survive Sleep Deprivation As a New Mother
Can sleep deprivation kill you?
Okay, it might seem far-fetched, but seriously are you even a new parent if you’ve not Googled this during a hideous night?!
This post lays out the realities of what sleep-deprivation does to your body in the short and longterm, plus how to cope with the symptoms.
How to Get a Baby to Nap Without Being Held
Not possible, right?
Well, that’s what I thought to begin with, but I did eventually discover a little trick that was pretty much failsafe.
Find out how I got my baby to nap without being held.
Returning to Work After Maternity Leave & Tips for Getting Enough Sleep
Finally I’ve collated some tips for dealing with sleep-deprivation when you have to return to work following maternity leave.
The mere thought of having to officially be anywhere when you’re already running on empty can be completely overwhelming, and that’s without taking into account the need to be on the ball whilst also missing your baby.
These tips for returning to work after maternity leave and getting enough sleep will help you to get into a the best possible routine to set you up for success.
I hope these tips and tricks help you to feel your way through what is easily one the toughest phases of life as a parent!