Will I ever sleep again?

Dear Mom's/ Parents

I want to tell you that yes you will sleep again but never the same. For those of you who don't have kids yet cherish your sleep. 

Here is my breakdown of a typical Life Sleep Cycle: 

1. Amazing sleep before children.  Slept so hard I was scared I would hear my baby crying. 
2. First you have the pregnancy with the aches and pains and getting up to use the bathroom. 
3. Then the baby comes and they need to nurse (all the time).
4. You then get them sleep trained and they have growing pains, nightmares etc. 
5. They eventually become more self reliant and then the adolescent/teenage years hit and you are awake all night worrying about them. 
6. Then if you are lucky you get a couple good years of sleep and they start having babies and you help babysit.

Pregnancy tips to a better nights sleep

• Warm relaxing bath with a foot massage from hubby
• Hydrate well during day and try to keep liquids to a minimum before bed. With that said some women with morning sickness do better if they stay hydrated and snack regularly throughout the night. 
• Keep a journal of thoughts and worries so you can rest easier and deal with them tomorrow.
• Rest and nap as often as you can with your feet up. 
• Exercise and do yoga to relieve tension and pressure.
• Eat healthy lots of B vitamins and proteins
• Pregnancy body pillow to support back and belly- also works great as a nursing pillow after. 
• Massage either from professional or hubby. 

Tips for mothers with infants

• Nursing at night- this is the main cause of waking with little ones and many mom's end up with the child in bed because getting up all the time is very exhausting and cold. If you are not comfortable with them in bed I suggest putting their crib next to your bed so you can easily reach them and place them back in when done or a side crib making it even easier or the "swaddle me by your side sleeper" Their have been many studies that show the benefits of babies and mothers being in close proximity at minimum the first 3 months of their life. 
• Check out "happiest baby on the block" for better understanding and swaddling tips. 
• If you have other young children try to have them sleep trained before baby arrives so the baby is your only cause of waking's. All sleeping arrangements have been thought out. 
• Enlist your husband to get up and get baby for your night feedings and put back in crib or handle bottle feedings. 
• Take naps when baby naps. 
• Ask for help. Let  others come over and clean, cook anything so you can just enjoy your little one and relax when you can. 
• Use things like the owlette or other baby monitors so you can rest easier when their is a chance

Tips for toddlers

• Have a set age appropriate schedule that is consistent and predictable. 
• If you have a toddler that refuses to stay in bed and you have tried absolutely everything bring their bed into your room so they are next to you. At least they will sleep in their bed and you will get your space. 
• If you have a toddler who is afraid of the dark create a monster spray that they get to spray in their room before bed (water, essential oils etc. ) Put nightlights or glow in the dark stars. Put a flashlight by their bed or a lantern they can use to check things out or go to the bathroom with. Make sure to decorate all things that look scary such as a door less closet etc.  
• If they are out of the nap stage and you are super tired call a friend to have a play date so you can have a little break or family or friends to watch them for an hour. Sometimes not having to be the one to entertain can be a huge relief. 
• Encourage your children to take care of themselves. put cereal and safe snack at a low level so if they wake up early they can grab some food and give you a little extra time to wake up. 

I know I didn't cover siblings much but I am putting together a blog on how to approach the whole sleep training multiples, and how to handle siblings, so keep an eye out for it.  

As far as teenagers go try to get them on a routine of checking in and communicating so you can rest easier and know they will call if needed.  Here is a link to a book someone suggested for when mine get older.  

The underlying message for any age is try to let go of the things you can, ask for help often and think outside the box. It is ok if your child is sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor in your room as long as you both are sleeping.