PARENTS
How to Prioritize Your Sleep During Parental Leave
Everyone asks how the baby is sleeping, but it’s time to ask how you’re sleeping!
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Happiest Baby Staff
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PARENTS
Escrito por
Happiest Baby Staff
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Study after study shows that paid parental leave is linked with improved relationships, less financial stress, more baby bonding, and better overall mental health. In fact, a report in the journal Social Science & Medicine found that maternity leave continues to yield significant mental health benefits for working mothers well into old age!
But just because parental leave is good for your mental health does not mean it isn’t hard on your mental health, too. You’re adjusting to a huge life change while simultaneously sleep deprived, which is a known risk factor for postnatal depression and anxiety. That’s why it’s so important to prioritise your wellbeing along with your little one’s. Here’s a little help striking that seemingly impossible balance.
“The biggest lie that new parents believe these days is that it’s normal to go it alone,” says Dr. Harvey Karp, paediatrician and bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block. “In the past, it was typical to have five or more people helping you. Your parents, grandparents, your aunts, your next door neighbour—they’d hold the baby for hours while you rested or did what you needed to do.” Today, in the absence of that army of eager helpers, you may have to be creative in order to cobble together your own village. Your support system may include:
Despite the dire state of the village, 1 in 3 new mums say that they feel guilty for needing or asking for help—that’s not okay! There’s no shame in leaning on others so you can better care for yourself and your baby. If you feel guilt creeping in, try one of these be-good-to-yourself mantras:
News flash: “Sleep like a baby” doesn’t mean what you think it does! Even though babies sleep 14 to 18 hours a day in their first two months, it’s in bits and pieces! It doesn’t help that newborns don’t know day from night, and they need to eat every two to four hours. To get a better handle on the chaos, consider putting together a flexible sleep plan! Here are some strategies you may use:
One of the best ways to ensure you get more sleep is to help your baby get more sleep! And a scientifically proven way to do just that is to learn—and regularly practice—the 5 S’s for soothing babies. Research shows that the 5 S’s can activate a baby’s innate calming reflex, which is their inborn “off switch” for crying and “on switch” for sleep. Here’s the breakdown:
“Sleep when the baby sleeps” might just be the most infuriating piece of new-parent advice…but it really is something to consider! You don’t even need to snooze for your baby’s entire nap. Experts note that sleeping for a half hour or less is enough to boost alertness without causing grogginess that actually makes you feel sleepier. More napping tips:
Many new parents struggle with feelings of depression, anxiety, inadequacy, and more. For some, there’s no way to prevent the emotional and mental upheaval they’ll experience once a baby joins their family. But for others, planning ahead can truly make a difference. To help, jot down a super-short wellness plan to post on your fridge to remind yourself you deserve TLC!
Example Postnatal Wellness Plan:
Descargo de responsabilidad: La información en nuestro sitio NO es un consejo médico para ninguna persona o condición específica. Solo se proporciona como información general. Si tiene alguna pregunta o preocupación médica sobre su hijo o sobre usted mismo, por favor contacte a su proveedor de salud. La leche materna es la mejor fuente de nutrición para los bebés. Es importante que, en preparación para la lactancia y durante la misma, las madres lleven una dieta saludable y equilibrada. La combinación de lactancia materna y alimentación con biberón en las primeras semanas de vida puede reducir la producción de leche materna y es difícil revertir la decisión de no amamantar. Si decide utilizar fórmula infantil, debe seguir las instrucciones cuidadosamente.
