Create good conditions for sleep
Consistent daily routine When days follow a regular pattern, babies quickly get used to the day-night rhythm and settle better at night.
Rituals Recurring rituals during feeding, nappy-changing, and putting to bed also help your child find their bearings 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 works best for your baby.
Communicate your own needs Needing sleep is clear – don't hesitate to ask your partner, your parents, or friends for a short break to get some sleep.
Calmness: your lifeline - how to cope with sleep deprivation
Staying calm when you're woken hourly at night and the days aren't any less exhausting? Easier said than done: Sleep deprivation makes most people unfocused, irritable, or prone to despair over 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 at you contentedly 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 in terms of household chores and when it comes to appointments and meetings with friends. The first time with a baby is exhausting, but it really is only a phase that eventually passes. If you can take things as they come, that's already a good basis for a more relaxed everyday life with your baby.
Image credits
Tired mother sits on the floor © Полина Власова - stock.adobe.com
Mother with a crying baby in her arms © dark_saiyaman - stock.adobe.com
