2024 has just arrived, and for new parents, MORE SLEEP is probably at the top of the resolution list, right?
If your little one isn’t sleeping well, then we guarantee you aren’t either. It’s no lie that we feel more energetic, are more patient, and overall happier when we’re well rested. So, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is get some zzz’s!
That’s why we’re resolved to help you and your baby, get better sleep in the new year. With that said, here’s a list of the top 8 New Year’s sleep resolutions.
1. Night and day
When you have a baby, day and night tend to blur together when you’re waking up at odd hours for feedings. For your little one though, it’s best to make a distinction between daytime and nighttime.
Doing this will help your baby develop a natural and stable sleep/wake pattern and help them sleep longer stretches at night. To separate day and night for your baby, you can:
- Expose them to natural light during the day by keeping your windows and curtains open.
- Allow for some noise in the mornings (even during naptime). Have music playing in the background and don’t tip-toe through your chores. At night, do the opposite, make sure to whisper, and limit noise as much as possible.
- Keep activities for during the day and at night avoid playing before bedtime.
2. Become a bedtime routine master
Setting and sticking to a bedtime routine can be crucial to your little one’s sleep. Parents mistakenly change their baby’s routine without realizing it can affect their sleep.
The routine helps your baby understand it’s time for bed, and they’ll drift off faster. So, find a routine that works and keep to it every night. It doesn’t have to be complex either.
A warm bath, cuddles, and white noise before bedtime are no less effective than a bath, cuddles, reading a book, singing a song, and white noise.
3. Ask for help when you need it
As new parents, you always want to be there for your little one, and sometimes, don’t admit that you need help when you’re running on fumes.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help or accept it when it’s offered. In the long run, accepting assistance from friends and family will mean you can show up and be the best parent for your child.
Maybe you don’t need help with the baby but with a load of laundry, a grocery shop, or a meal or two. Even the little things count and can help you immensely.
4. Set an electronics limit and stick to it
Whether you’re co-sleeping or not, capping your TV or phone time before bed, as hard as it might be, will help you and the baby sleep better.
Blue light prevents your body from releasing melatonin, the sleep hormone. It’s what makes us tired before bed.
So, scroll Instagram or watch Tik-Tok to your heart’s content during the day, but limit it at night. We guarantee you‘ll see a difference in your sleep patterns.
5. Don’t skip naptime no matter what
When babies miss a nap, it doesn’t mean they will sleep better at night. In fact, it’s the opposite; they become overtired. Their little bodies, in an attempt to stay awake, produce a hormone that disrupts their normal sleep patterns for hours.
As a result, they experience interrupted sleep at night and wake up earlier than usual the next morning. To improve your little one’s sleep (and yours) stay consistent with naps even if that means your baby naps on the go.
6. Stick to an early bedtime
Like naps, sticking to an early bedtime also promotes better sleep in babies. Babies typically need to be put down between 7 and 8 p.m. Anything later, and your little one might not fall asleep easily, could have more night-wakings, wake up earlier, and lose sleep overall.
Try to have dinner and the bedtime routine sorted before 7 or 8 p.m. and it will greatly improve your baby’s sleep.
7. Allow your baby to fall asleep on their own
It’s easy for your baby to become dependent on you for falling asleep, but you want to discourage this for your benefit and your baby’s. Don’t pat, rock, or hold your baby until they fall asleep.
They need to learn how to fall asleep on their own. Put your baby down when they’re drowsy but stay around them till they drift off. In the long run, this will greatly improve your sleep and your little ones.
8. Make your sleep a priority
Lastly, commit to prioritizing your sleep. Many of the suggestions above, also apply to parents. We covered limiting screen time, but, having your bedtime routine, taking every opportunity to nap, and getting a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep can help you perform at your parental best and feel great!
Happy New Year, and may your family’s sleep improve in 2024!
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