Pregnancy

Before you have your first child, the most common advice you are likely to receive is: Sleep now while you can.  Dr. Jewelia Wagner says, “if only stockpiling sleep were that simple.”  As mom to two-year-old Autumn, she knows challenging it can be to get a good night’s rest as a new mom. “Even if you are incredibly well-rested going into labor and delivery, you use a lot of energy to help bring that baby into the world,” she says.  “Couple that with the fact that many new babies wake to eat every few hours and you might quickly feel like ‘fatigue’ is your new middle name.” Dr. Wagner says that while part of being a mom may be learning to get by on less sleep, that doesn’t mean you have to walk around like a zombie for months and years to come. She shares few simple tips at sneaking in some sleep for new moms:  —Sleep whenever you can. Of course, you’ve also heard this advice before, but really take it to heart. When your baby is napping, you don’t need to clean the house. Likewise, when your little one goes to bed at night, don’t feel like you have to stay up to catch up on news, friends and so on. Prioritize sleep. —

Say yes to help – and ask for it. Enlist friends and family to hold a fussy baby, to offer a bottle and to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself so that you can provide your newborn the best care possible. Whether you’re breastfeeding and pumping or bottle-feeding, ask your partner to handle one of the nighttime feedings so you can get several hours of sleep in a row. —Don’t ignore the baby blues. Postpartum anxiety and depression are more common than many people realize. If you’re not just tired, but anxious, fearful and scared, talk to someone rather than letting that fester. Anxiety and depression can make sleeping even more difficult and early treatment can make a big difference. The good news, of course, is that it does get better and babies eventually do sleep through the night. Studies also show that seasoned moms handle sleep deprivation better with subsequent children. And even if you’re relentlessly awake, taking a few deep breaths, getting a few minutes of fresh air and enjoying a few moments to yourself can provide a much-needed boost.