Creating good conditions for sleep
Consistent daily routine When days follow a regular pattern, babies quickly get used to the day-night rhythm and settle more easily at night.
Rituals Recurring rituals during feeding, diapering and putting to bed also help your child settle in and fall asleep more easily.
Pay attention to needs Many babies sleep better in the family bed, some settle better in their own bed – feel free to try out what is right for your baby.
Communicate your own needs That you need sleep is obvious – don't hesitate to ask your partner, your own parents or friends for a short break to get some sleep.
Calmness, the elixir of life - how to cope with sleep deprivation
Staying calm when you're woken hourly at night and the days aren't any less tiring? Easier said than done: Sleep deprivation makes most people unfocused, irritable, or causes them to despair at the smallest things. But especially in this situation, it helps to focus on positive aspects in everyday life to reflect on: when your baby smiles contentedly at you at night, when you cuddle together on the sofa during the day, or when it makes its first sounds. Try to put aside your own perfectionism for a while – both with regard to the household and to appointments and meetings with friends. The early period with a baby is exhausting, but it really is only a phase that will pass eventually. If you manage to take things as they come, that's already a good prerequisite for a more relaxed everyday life with a baby.
Image credits
Tired mother sits on the floor © Полина Власова - stock.adobe.com
Mother holding a crying baby © dark_saiyaman - stock.adobe.com
