Let your partner share the load by splitting nighttime responsibilities into shifts.
Let your partner share the load by splitting nighttime responsibilities into shifts.
Our bodies naturally want to sleep at night, so it may be easier for you or your partner to catch up on missed hours then. The only problem is that your new baby doesn’t know that yet. Consider splitting nighttime responsibilities with your partner, either in shifts each night or by a whole night at a time. Be sure to prepare ahead of time if you are breastfeeding by pumping enough milk for your partner’s turn. This way, you both have access to a few prime sleep hours.
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…)!