Sleep deprivation can become a serious issue, so do your best to minimize it.
Sleep deprivation can become a serious issue, so do your best to minimize it.
Did you put your coffee pot in the refrigerator and leave the milk on the counter as you rushed to soothe your newborn this morning? You might be suffering from sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep is common among new parents, but when it goes too far, it can be dangerous. It can inhibit your ability to carry out your responsibilities and can increase a mother’s risk for postpartum depression. By the time your new baby is 6 months old, he or she will have a regular sleep pattern, meaning you will have a more consistent sleep pattern, too. But how do you survive until that happens? We’ve assembled some tips to help you get more sleep with a newborn.
Reviewed by Dr. Kristie Rivers, September 2020
So true! I tell all my first-time moms that they MUST do this, since this is rarely a reality when you’ve got more than one. It really is OK to leave the laundry and dishes for later (or someone else…)!