Contributed Collaborative Post 

If you’re the parent of a newborn you are probably not getting a lot of sleep. This is normal for most parents.

However, if you’re anxious to get some sleep, so that you don’t feel as if you are simply dragging yourself throughout your day, the good news is that there are ways in which you can reduce your stress levels and get some rest. Here’s how to do it.

Try to Get a Sleep Schedule

It’s important that you create some kind of a bedtime routine. If you have a routine your body will get a signal that it’s time for you to start winding down.

There are certain activities that you can use. For example, you can try reading a book right before bedtime or listening to very calming music. All of this will help to relax you.

Take Turns

You can try taking turns with your partner for nighttime care. It’s common for both parents to get up at the same time when newborns are making a fuss to help each other out. However, in most cases, one parent can handle it. While the other rests.

This way during the daytime at least one parent will be well rested. There’s no sense in both of you walking around in a zombie-like state.

Nap When the Baby Naps

It can be tempting for parents of newborns to find a million things to do once the baby is napping. Your thought may be that finally the baby is asleep and you can get to do all the chores that you never got to do. However, this is not a good idea if you want to be well rested.

You need to make sure that you take advantage of this time to get some sleep

whenever you can. You have to put rest at the top of your priority list.

This is the only way you’re going to survive. If you can, get someone to come in and help you with the household chores so that you do not have to worry about doing those things while the baby sleeps.

Create a Perfect Sleep Environment

You need to make sure that you’re creating the perfect sleep environment for yourself. Think warm, comfy and cozy. The ambience that you bring into the bedroom is everything.

Use blackout curtains if you want to keep out light from the outside from getting into your bedroom at night. Use earplugs and even try white noise-up machines if possible to create the perfect sleep environment where you can thrive.

Make Sure Your Baby Is Comfortable

Make sure that your baby is truly comfortable because this can affect whether or not they have a good night’s sleep. Many parents wrap their babies, in swaddle blankets.

Ensure that your baby is sleeping in the most comfortable position possible when they are not swaddled. Some babies will do better with side sleeping while others do better on their back.

Try CoSleeping

You may find that co-sleeping works extremely well in getting your baby comfy and cozy so that you can get some rest. While some people may find this to be a good solution, many parents are equally apprehensive about it. No matter what side of the spectrum you fall on, give it a try at least once.

Don’t just dismiss it off hand. Discuss it with your partner to see if it’s a reasonable solution especially if your baby is being extra fussy.

Watch What You Eat Before Bed

You need to make sure that you are limiting all the stimulants that you put into your body right before bedtime. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as much as possible.

You can severely throw off your sleep patterns and it can make you feel as if you’re walking through a maze of fatigue.

Parenting a newborn can be a lot of work. The best thing you can do is to make sure that you’re taking heed of all the advice that has been given here and try to fit it into your life as best as possible.

Always remember to ask for help if you need it. You don’t have to bear all the weight by yourself, ask for support. Sometimes people are just waiting for you to ask for their help. They may not want to intrude on this precious time that you have, so they may be cautious about approaching. Just reach out and let everybody know that they can volunteer to assist you whenever they have the time.

This is a contributed collaborative post