It goes without saying that during the first weeks and months after your child is born you won’t be getting as much sleep as you need. While there’s not much you can do to eliminate the problem, there are a few ways you can cope a little better.
If you are really exhausted, then why not just stay in bed? You and your child can spend the day lying in bed (or you in bed, and your child in his or her crib alongside it) and simply nap together, breastfeed when necessary, and relax.
Use breastfeeding time to relax. Even if you’re not sleeping, the 20 minutes or half an hour of not worrying about your house, accounts and other problems, and just relaxing, can really recharge your batteries.
Taking a shower, or a ten minute walk, can also give you the boost you need to keep going through the day.
Drinking coffee, or eating snacks with sugar in them may not be good for your diet, but they can give you a short burst of energy when you need it.
Avoid getting frustrated. It will only tire you out more, and it won’t achieve anything else. Don’t worry about issues that aren’t important either. No one expects your house to be perfect, or you to be groomed and polished. If it’s not essential, don’t worry about it. You can apply the same thing to your schedule. Take a look at what you have planned and cancel anything that isn’t either important, or something you really want to do.
Try not to count the hours that you sleep. Knowing exactly how long you sleep will make you feel more tired. Likewise, trying to get to sleep to get the few hours you can get can be a problem – the more you worry about sleep, the less you’re likely to get.
