How to Actually Sleep When the Baby Sleeps (It’s Harder Than It Sounds)

It is a common enough piece of parenting advice and sounds really reasonable, but at its core, it is deceptively difficult. That piece of parenting advice is the old chestnut: “Just sleep when the baby sleeps so you won’t have to worry about getting caught up on sleep through the night.” Sounds great in theory, but in practice? Not so much. It’s roughly equivalent to “helpful” advice like telling someone struggling with weight issues to “just eat healthier and you will lose weight.” Great! If only I had thought of that!? In today’s article, we’re going to explore how you can actually take practical steps to catching up on sleep when you have a newborn and how you can take the core tenets of that advice and realistically apply it to our modern, high-paced lifestyles. If you have any experience or advice in this area, we’d love to hear it! Shout us out in the comments or on social. 

Give Yourself Permission to Prioritize Rest

Here is the hard truth: the dishes can wait. The laundry can wait. The perfectly worded reply to that group chat can wait. Sleep, especially in the early weeks, is not a luxury. It affects your physical recovery, your emotional regulation, your ability to care for your baby, and your overall mental health. Try to give yourself the gift of sleep to help you survive these first few weeks and months (and years!).

Practical Tips for Actually Falling Asleep

If your body and brain need a little help making the switch, here are some things that help.

• Keep your sleep space ready at all times. Pulled-back covers, a darkened room, and white noise already running means fewer steps between you and rest.
• Skip the phone. Scrolling while the baby sleeps feels like downtime, but it keeps your brain alert and makes falling asleep much harder. Set it face-down across the room.
• Do a quick body scan. Lie down, take a few slow breaths, and consciously relax your shoulders, jaw, and hands. You may be carrying more tension than you realize.
• Try a short guided meditation or breathing exercise. Even five minutes of intentional breathing can shift your nervous system out of high-alert mode. Insight timer is a FREE meditation app, and one of our favorites!
• Do not watch the clock. Knowing exactly how little time you have before the next feed can create just enough pressure to keep you awake. Cover the clock.
• Lower your expectations for the nap. Even 20 minutes of rest, eyes closed and body still, has genuine restorative value. You do not have to fall into a deep sleep for it to help.

Before You Go

We hope that this blog about sleeping better with a baby was helpful to you. If your little one is still fussy after feeds, struggling to settle, or having trouble sleeping, we’re here to support you.

From sleep consulting to in-home 24/7 sleep training and overnight newborn care or in-home newborn care services, we offer personalized guidance to help your little one (and you!) get the rest you need.

Have questions? Let’s Chat — we’d love to help your family rest easier.

The content contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice of any medical professional. It is based on our opinions and experience working with newborns and their families. Other’s opinions may vary. It does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations. The reader understands that the term “Babynurse” is often a word used to describe a newborn caregiver. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we are not licensed nurses in any state. By reading and/or utilizing any information or suggestions contained in this blog, the reader acknowledges that we are not medical professionals and agrees to and waives any claim, known or unknown, past, present or future. This blog may contain affiliate links.

© 2024 Bishop Enterprises, LLC All Rights Reserved