If you are a new mum like me, you will also be struggling with sleep. It will be a few weeks before your baby sleeps through the night. So you are going to need all of the help that you can get. Everyone says that you should sleep when your baby sleeps. But this is easier said than done. If you have a clingy baby, that you’re unable to put down then you don’t get anything done. So when you get your baby to sleep, you also need to use this time to clean your teeth and brush your hair. Or maybe you need to tackle your washing up. Getting some sleep as a new mum can be a challenge!
If you have an awesome support network, then that is great. Use this time to take a nap, whilst others are there to do the other jobs that need doing. If your baby is up 2 or 3 times throughout the night, then you will want your little naps to be restful and relaxing. I wanted to share some ideas that have helped me with getting some sleep as a new mum. Hopefully, they work for you too.
Firstly, You need to be strict about putting your phone away and not letting it stimulate your brain. Avoid coffee and other stimulating drinks altogether, especially if you are breastfeeding.
Have Some Serotonin Boosting Food Before Bed
Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps you sleep. Serotonin is often known as the happiness drug because it also helps you to feel happier. To help you sleep after you have had a new baby, you can eat some tryptophan-rich foods. These foods help your body produce serotonin to help you relax and feel happier. We have added a list of food that are rich in tryptophan-rich food that you can have as a snack before bed.
- eggs
- dairy
- tofu
- nuts and seeds
- fermented foods
- spinach
- fruits and vegetables
- turkey
Take A Calming Bath
There is a really good reason why we bathe our babies in a warm bath before they go to bed. That is that the warm water is relaxing and helps them to calm down before bed. So if it is good enough for our babies, it is going to be good enough for us too. It might be the only bit of pampering that you get in those first few weeks as a new mum. Fill the bath up, turn the lights off and add some bubbles – loads of bubbles. Climb in and relax. You might be a little sore down below after having your baby, so having a bath will help you with the pain too.
Epsom salts work well in the bath to help you relax before bed too. Simply pour 500g of Epsom salts to warm water and relax in a world of your own.
Sip Camomile Tea For Getting Some Sleep As A New Mum
Camomile is a sedative. So if you have a cup of camomile tea before you sleep, it will help you out. You can buy some camomile tea from the supermarket in teabags. Or you can make it yourself by growing camomile at home. Cut a few sprigs off and tie a string around the stalks. Dip the camomile into some hot water for a few minutes, then throw them away. Sip and relax before bed.
Camomile is perfectly safe if you are breastfeeding but please double-check with your midwife before using it.
Lavender Spray And Body Lotions
Lavender works really well to help you relax and get a good night’s sleep. You can get a lavender spray that you spray on your pillows and around your bedroom. But you can also get lavender hand creams and body lotions to use on your body before bed. If this is the only bit of me time that you get, make it work to your benefit.
Make Sure Your Bed Is Comfortable For Getting Some Sleep As A New Mum
Make sure that your bed is comfortable to sleep in. If your mattress is lumpy and you wake up with a bad back then you need a new mattress. If you wake up a dozen times a night because of your mattress, then get a new one.
Keep Cool Whilst You Sleep
Try not to have bedding on your bed that is too heavy and thick. This will make for a most uncomfortable night’s sleep. You can make your bed with sheets and blankets and remove the ones that you don’t need throughout the night.
Turn your heating down, to keep it cooler for your baby as well as yourself. You do not want your baby overheating because they cannot control their temperature when they are tiny.
Use Dark Curtains In Your Bedroom For Getting Some Sleep As A New Mum
You might want to go to sleep after you have fed your baby at 6 or 7 pm. You know what? That is okay! You are going to get a few hours of sleep before your baby wakes up again. But in the summer, it can be difficult to get some sleep if it is too light. So make sure you get some blackout or dark curtains to help to keep out the light.
These curtains will also help your baby to sleep for longer in the morning.
