How to get some rest after baby arrives

The arrival of baby turns family life upside down. You have to adapt (or re-adapt) to baby's rhythm… and it's anything but restful. Especially for mum, who has just given birth. After carrying baby for 9 months and bringing them into the world, you have to go straight on to broken nights. Without rest, this hectic pace is not sustainable for parents. So here are a few tips to help you rest after baby arrives.

Make the most of baby's sleep to sleep too

First of all, you will need to get used to baby's schedule. Even if baby sleeps between 16 and 20 hours a day at first, they don't sleep through the night! So make the most of nap times, even in the middle of the day, to rest rather than rushing around doing housework and/or work. If you don't allow yourself some rest during the day, you won't keep up the pace!

Delegate to rest better

If you can get help, make the most of it! While baby is looked after by your partner or their grandparents, take some time for yourself. It could be for a nap, a bath, a walk, a book: anything goes when it comes to resting…

Don't feel guilty about getting help: quite the opposite, it will benefit your whole family. You'll have recovered your strength to devote yourself to your baby. And if you're breastfeeding, it will go much more smoothly if you're well rested.

At night, if you are not breastfeeding, your partner can perfectly well get up to look after baby when needed. And if you are breastfeeding, you can share the tasks: one gets up to fetch baby and the other feeds them. Remember that your partner is, with you, the person closest to baby, so it is perfectly normal for them to share the little inconveniences.

Take some time just for yourself

Take some time for yourself (15-20 minutes a day) so that you are ready to look after baby. This time will help you recharge your batteries.

Taking time for yourself, going out, doing something you love helps you feel much better and will recharge your batteries for the days ahead. It's important to keep up a healthy lifestyle. That starts with not skipping meals, so you don't lose your strength.

Get ahead whenever possible

Try to use your rare moments of free time to get ahead: prepare meals for the next few days, catch up on the laundry…

For the shopping, stock up before the birth with enough to last several weeks. After the birth, you will probably feel disorientated and won't have time to dash to the supermarket. It will take the stress off and you won't be worried if you need something. You can also opt for click-and-collect or home delivery, which are convenient and above all very quick. Extra time to rest will definitely do you good.

You now have all the keys to handle this new pace of life as well as possible. And if at times you are at the end of your tether, don't forget that they will grow up eventually!

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.