Tips for sleep-deprived parents

SLEEP DEPRIVED?

Tag Team

If you’re a household where there are 2 caretakers, play tag-team.  Whether it’s one night on, one off, or half the night on/half off – at least you get some period(s) of reasonable sleep.  When it’s your turn to sleep, use ear plugs to muffle sound.  That way, one person may be reasonably refreshed in the morning. 

Parenting alone

Whether you’re a single parent or your partner is away with work a lot, you have double the load and could be more vulnerable to exhaustion.  Make sleeping your priority.  If your baby sleeps, you sleep.  I know there is 100 reasons why you think that your sleep comes second.  However if you deprive your body of sleep, it stops functioning.

- Rest up when the baby does.  Even 30 minutes can give an exhausted body/mind a small boost. 

- Call a friend/family member to sit with your baby for a few hours while you grab some sleep (understanding people will listen to your needs)

- Ask a friend/family member to help with chores.  If you have a wide-circle of friends, rotate the requests so they can share the helping.  If you’re too tired, ask a dear friend to do up a roster.

- Eat well!!  Tried to drive a car without petrol?  Doesn’t function.  Neither does your body.  If you are sleep-deprived it increasese the need for good nutritious foods, especially those that support the nervous system.  (Ask a naturopath if you need guidance).  Ask a friend to cook you dinner if you’re exhausted.

- Lots of natural therapies can ease stress/strain – massage, yoga, meditation, homeopathy.

- Exercise – I know it’s the last thing you want to do.  Your baby may sleep in the pram, offering you some quiet head space.  Grab your Ipod – well chosen music lifts moods!

- Financial well-off but friend poor.  Hire a nanny for a few hours/days, to help you get some rest.  Have a healthy meal out.  Getting out the door can energise your spirits.

- Join a mothers group – do mum/bub yoga.  It can help to know you’re not alone.  Normalising challenging times can ease addition strain that some mum’s feel.

Need help finding resources, check out

www.bubhub.com.au

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