- Between changes of rhythm and physiological upheavals
- The consequences of lack of sleep on parents' health
- Solutions to get better sleep after the birth of your baby
Between changes of rhythm and physiological upheavals
Baby's rhythm
The arrival of a baby is synonymous with many upheavals in a couple's life. You must now match your rhythm to that of your newborn. At birth, a child sleeps on average 18 hours out of 24; this can vary enormously from one baby to another. He wakes up mainly to be fed, including at night. Because of these nocturnal awakenings, you accumulate a sleep debt that is very difficult to make up for.
Breastfeeding
Feedings may be more frequent than for a child fed formula, in particular because breast milk is better digested. The baby's stomach empties more quickly, which has the effect of reducing the time between two feedings. Furthermore, today health professionals agree that it is preferable to opt for breastfeeding “on demand”. It's a fairly intense pace for the mother who thus benefits from less rest. However, the co-parent can be of great help even in the case of breastfeeding, he can take care of changing him, putting him back to sleep, bringing him to the mother, etc.
Postpartum and its upheavals
The postpartum period, namely the period following childbirth, is synonymous with many upheavals for a mother. In addition to the lack of sleep inherent to the responsibility of meeting your baby's needs day and night, hormonal changes disrupt your psychological and physiological state. Emotionally "on edge", you must deal with fatigue and a body which, from the first days following childbirth, tries to return to its pre-pregnancy state. Inside, it's a big mess. The organs and muscles struggle to return to their original position and the pain can be intense. You may also experience pain related to your delivery, such as that related to healing from an episiotomy or cesarean section. It is difficult in these conditions to find the necessary rest and calmly approach your new life as a mother. In order to support you during this period, we have brought together 6 products in a pretty kit to best support you both physically and emotionally. Discover Mama Saver now, the postpartum kit :
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99,00 € - Regular price
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165,80 € - Sale price
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99,00 €
The consequences of lack of sleep on parents' health
Effects on health
Lack of sleep can affect the physical and mental health of parents and have consequences on their daily life: reduced energy, painful awakenings in the morning, difficulty concentrating, stress and irritability. According to a study by the Sleep Research Society published in 2019, parents must wait 6 years before getting quality sleep again. The study also shows that women are more in deficit than men.
Consequences to put into perspective
Although the first months can be very trying due to lack of sleep, you must put things into perspective and tell yourself that this period does not last. More or less quickly, baby no longer needs to be fed at night and enjoys a good rest, just like his parents! Even if sleeping in is still a mirage, the sleep deficit decreases over time, thus reducing the risks to your physical and mental health.
Solutions to get better sleep after the birth of your baby
Find recovery slots
The advice often given is to sleep at the same time as your child. But this is easier said than done. When the baby has finally fallen asleep, that's when we devote ourselves to everything we didn't have time to do, such as taking care of ourselves or even household chores.
Be opportunistic ! A Sunday meal with the in-laws and presto, a little nap neither seen nor known in the guest room. There will always be enough hands to look after baby during your escape to dreamland.
Have your child sleep alone or in a co-sleeper
You may have opted for co-sleeping, which consists of having the child sleep in a bed next to yours, or in the same room, but in a separate bed. This solution is an advantage because it saves you from moving and reassures you if you fear leaving your baby alone. It can also help increase the quality of your baby's sleep, making him feel reassured. However, ambient noise can have the opposite effect and interfere with everyone's sleep, and thus harm its quality. If you feel ready, you can try to get your baby to sleep alone in his room, starting for example during the day to reassure yourself. These different tests will allow you to find the optimal solution for the sleep of your entire family. There is no one miracle solution but the one that will best suit you and your entire family. Whether baby sleeps with you or alone in his room, it is important to create a cocooning environment conducive to falling asleep. Luciole & Cie offers bed linen made in France with certified organic materials that respect baby's fragile skin. From birth, you can wrap him in softness in an organic cotton sleeping bag or a cozy baby nest to ensure comfort and safety.
photo credit: Emmanuelle Lhotte for Luciole et cie
Be accompanied
You should not hesitate to ask those around you when fatigue becomes too severe and negatively influences daily life. Grandma, grandpa, aunt or uncle will be happy to come and take care of baby, even for a few hours, while they recover a little. Then turn off the telephone and television to devote yourself to only one objective: sleeping !
Have an outside activity to take your mind off things
It may seem trivial, but allowing yourself an hour of weekly activity has a direct impact on well-being. Whether it's a physical activity or a leisure activity, this moment alone takes your attention away from everyday life and allows you a moment of relaxation. Playing sports, for example, stimulates the production of endorphin, also called the happiness hormone. It helps combat the stress and anxiety that is common to feel when a child arrives, and which can disrupt parents' sleep. Being more relaxed makes it easier to fall asleep and enjoy restful rest. However, before embarking on a sporting activity, think about rehabilitating your perineum and wait for the green light from the medical profession.
When your baby is born, you are focused on your little treasure, and that's normal. But it's important to understand that to properly care for your newborn, you also need to take care of yourself. So do not hesitate to give yourself the rest time necessary for your health so that you can safely enjoy the joys of parenthood.
