_edited.png)
The importance of sleep is sadly overlooked for a lot of mums. Even though we understand how important sleep is for our body, it can be the last thing that gets accomplished especially if you have more than one child.
When was the last time you made sleep a priority over the endless list of jobs that need to be done around the house?
Having a newborn can be so overwhelming, you are probably running on a few broken hours sleep and have no idea when you are going to get a proper sleep. Even the thought of sleep deprivation can leave you feeling a total utter mess.
We all hear that the lack of sleep and endless problems are ‘Just a phase’, but whilst you are in the phase it can seem endless. The importance of sleep for yourself and especially baby can at times become an obsessive subject.
Don’t obsess over babies sleep
The more you obsess about baby not sleeping the worse it can feel, believe me I have been there. The charts, the research and advice from people is so overwhelming. The best advice i can give you is to listen with intent to your babies cues, learn to get in sync with what baby is trying to tell you.
There is a fantastic book called Dance With Me In The Heart, by Pennee Brownlee. She teaches you different ways to listen to your baby and interact.
Make sleep a priority
I understand how busy life is but the washing can wait, the vacuuming isn’t a priority and the world will not end if you don’t get to have a clean and tidy home 24/7.
Becoming a mother is exhausting & time consuming, so give yourself a break & stop trying to be perfect. There is no such thing as being perfect and nobody really cares anyway.
Take the time when baby has a nap, even if it’s a short nap & reclaim some much needed sleep.
Mothers are the rock in the family, there are the glue that binds everyone together. If you are exhausted and running on one cylinder then the whole family is affected.
Understand the importance of sleep
The Harvard’s Women’s Health Watch suggests six reasons to get enough sleep
Learning and memory
Metabolism and weight
Safety
Mood
Cardiovascular
Health
Disease
It is a well known fact that mothers who are sleep deprived are more likely to suffer from postnatal depression (PND).
NIHCM.com state that postnatal depression affects around 10-20% of new mothers. The onset is usually diagnosed around 2-3 months after baby is born. Some of the main factors of women suffering from postnatal depression includes sleep deprivation and lack of support.
Signs of PND include;
Fatigue
Low in mood
Sadness and frequent crying
Insomnia
Lack of self care.
If you are suffering from signs of postnatal depression then contact your local health provider. I will be doing a future post of PND, so stay posted to find out more.
As you can see sleep is one of the most important things a new mums needs to do. It effects the health of the whole family and can make a huge difference in your mental health. Life is so much easier when you are well rested and you will be able to enjoy your baby so much more.
For more informative pregnancy, birth and baby articles, read our Maternity Mum.