As a new mom there are so many things to be thinking about. A sleep routine is likely one of the last things that you end up thinking about.. I know it was for me.
When I first brought my daughter home from the hospital my main concern was getting breastfeeding down pat and sleep came in second.
At first, she wouldn’t sleep in her bassinet because it was too flat and much too big for her. So she slept in her swing sitting beside our bed… Yeah, I know now how bad that is so I definitely do not recommend it.
Eventually we got her to sleep in her bassinet but it took some time and a little research. Here are five things I did to help my daughter.
When I first brought my daughter home from the hospital my main concern was getting breastfeeding down pat and sleep came in second.
At first, she wouldn’t sleep in her bassinet because it was too flat and much too big for her. So she slept in her swing sitting beside our bed… Yeah, I know now how bad that is so I definitely do not recommend it.
Eventually we got her to sleep in her bassinet but it took some time and a little research. Here are five things I did to help my daughter.
- A sound machine- she went from listening to my insides to being in the big wide open world. The sound machine helped her relax.
- A night light- for night time feeds it’s best to keep the room as dark as possible so the body knows it’s still night.
- A wedge- for my daughter, we found she couldn’t lay flat because she would get reflux. The wedge went under her bassinet mattress and kept her inclined enough to prevent discomfort.
- Dark sleeping environment- babies need it super dark to sleep well.
- Practice and routine- it took us some time to get her to sleep in her bassinet because she wasn’t used to it. We practiced consistently getting her to sleep in it. Little by little she began to sleep longer and longer in it. Routine was also really important. It let her body know that sleep time was coming.
When I started this mom journey there is no doubt in my mind that I was living in survival mode. I was stressed about keeping my little rainbow baby alive and being a good mom but over time, I found the resources I needed to leave survival mode and move into thriving.
If you’re feeling stressed like I was about being a mom, I’ve created a free guide to help you remember you're not a failure. I’ve also created a Facebook community of moms to support each other in this crazy journey.
“Woah! What happened here?!?”
The thought rolling through your mind as you take a look around and notice the state your house is actually in.
How could you have completely missed this for the last little while?!? It’s a mystery but you’re seeing it now and it’s embarrassing!
It wasn’t always like this. Once, not that long ago, you were able to keep up with the chores and it was no big deal.
It wasn’t always like this. Once, not that long ago, you were able to keep up with the chores and it was no big deal.
Now, now it’s different. You’re tired. Actually the word exhausted is a better description. You’re awake when you use to be sleeping and sleeping when you use to be awake. Days blend into each other until one day, you woke up and looked around your house and it looks like someone else’s house. A little messy to say the least.
Why?
You’re sweet little babe arrived. In all of their sweetness, they demand every bit of energy and time you have.
So, you find yourself a little behind on the dishes, the laundry and the other cleaning… and you aren’t okay with it.
I get it! It’s hard to keep up with everything. It’s overwhelming! BUT it’s okay!
life will find a new normal and everything will get done. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t be a little stressful getting there. I know I’ve found that process stressful.
There are a number of things I do to manage my stress. I’ve found some tricks thats really help make life with littles easier (I’ll share those later this week!) But when it really comes down to it, taking time to focus my thoughts helps most in the heat of the moment.
There are a number of things I do to manage my stress. I’ve found some tricks thats really help make life with littles easier (I’ll share those later this week!) But when it really comes down to it, taking time to focus my thoughts helps most in the heat of the moment.
If you’d like access to the routine I follow to help centre my thoughts, follow this link and enjoy :)
We’re in this together, mama! Let’s help each other out!
We’re in this together, mama! Let’s help each other out!
