As if 9 months of pregnancy (have you done the math, it is really more like 10 months. I don't know why we keep letting all these men tell us we are pregnant for 9 months. They obviously don't know how PAINFUL that last month is!) and pushing a baby out of an impossible place isn't enough, you are then handed a little squishy bundle and told to feed it every two hours or they will scream as if they have never had nourishment...like, ever. Oh, don't forget to burp that little sucker. He will act so sound asleep as you pat his little bum for hours, but if you even think of laying him down thinking, "I guess he doesn't have a burp this time" then watch out...grunt baby awake! It is amazing that all postpartum women don't start to lose it! It's this lovely little sleeping cycle (or lack of sleeping cycle) that always sends me down the spiral to PPA.
So, after 3 lovely little squishy babies that have needed to eat EVERY 2 hours (are girl babies as hungry as boy babies, because-watch out! I hear all this talk of feeding your babies every 3-4 hours and my mouth drops open...literally. I was lucky to have them make it the 2 hours!) I have learned a few "tricks" on how to make my limited sleep more effective.
Effective Lack of Sleep tip #1: A heating pad. After having a baby, you are sore and usually have after birth pains. I started sleeping with a heating pad on my stomach to ease the cramps, but soon realized it was easing my anxiety and allowing my body to stay relaxed and to fall asleep faster. I know Lisa loves to use a heated mattress pad. Either way, heat helps your body relax and fall asleep faster.
Effective Lack of Sleep tip #2: White noise: I love me a good fan! White noise not only blocks out outside noise, but the constant sound allows your brain to be attracted to the sound instead of all the MILLIONS of thoughts running through your head.
Effective Lack of Sleep tip #3: A small snack: I know snacking in the night is like a big "No No" when it comes to dieting and such, but have you ever been awake at 3 in the morning? You get hungry. I find if my stomach is growling and hungry, I can't fall asleep as good. If I eat a piece of fruit and a small glass of milk with the babies middle of night feeding, I can get to sleep faster.
Effective Lack of Sleep tip #4: Lavender essential oil: I mostly use this when I am pregnant to relax my antsy legs, but I find it is a great relaxer. I like to rub some on the bottom of my feet and a little on the arms.
Effective Lack of Sleep tip #5: Limit your naps. I know most people say "sleep when the baby sleeps" and I think that is partially true, but it is difficult to sleep at 10 am when you NEVER sleep at 10 am in your normal life, ya know? Sometimes trying to take naps makes me more anxious. If napping is working for you, awesome. If you lay awake at odd nap times, eliminate the naps and keep your sleeping patterns close to what they were before baby.
I know what you are thinking, "Man, she's got some sleeping issues!" Ha. Your right, with a newborn, I have sleeping issues, but I have learned to make those short windows of sleeping between feedings more effective and have really improved...well everything. Sleep = Good.
I tell you what, when that little baby looks up at you in the middle of the night with a little toothless smile and "goo's" for the first time...a little piece of heaven right there, now if only Heaven would make them sleep through the night!
- Over and Out
