5 Common Mistakes Sleep-Deprived Parents Make And How to Fix Them
by Dr. Darria Long, MD, MBA. Widely renown as an expert in making life and health better for women, Dr. Darria Long, MD, MBA is a national TV health expert and contributor, national best-selling author of “Mom Hacks,” board certified Emergency Department physician, TED speaker, and a mom.
The first few weeks of postpartum sleep deprivation can feel a little bit like the Hunger Games….where the odds are NEVER in your favor and sleepless nights are your new normal. As a mom, I get it. It takes a village – and we all need to help each other.
Let’s face it, we’re on a learning curve as new parents, especially when it comes to how to cope with sleep deprivation – and occasionally we trip up. With that in mind, I want to share my experiences, and the lessons of thousands of parents who have gone before you to help identify and overcome these common challenges:
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Not creating a separation between "Day" and "Night."
When you bring baby home, he’ll try to sleep all day, and then be ready to jam at 2am. This is not because he is a sleep terrorist. Our Circadian Rhythm isn’t fully developed when we’re born, so newborns can have “night/day reversal.” But all is not lost. Help hasten this development and limit your parental sleep deprivation to almost none, by creating a difference in daytime versus nighttime activities and environment. During the day, allow baby to have activity: tummy time, playing with toys, lying on a kick-and-play mat or in a bouncy seat with hanging toys, go outside, and have plenty of light when he’s not sleeping. Then at night, keep the lights dim, volumes quiet, and minimize any activity beyond what’s necessary.
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Letting baby sleep in an unsafe environment.
As tempting as it may be after days of grappling with new parent sleep deprivation, it’s just not safe to let baby sleep in rockers, swings, or any other equipment not specifically designed for sleep. What about parents’ bed? Unfortunately, having baby sleep in your bed (on your mattress with you) QUADRUPLES their risk of SIDS. The safest spot? “Within arms reach, but out of harm’s way.” Let baby sleep on a firm, flat space that is baby’s OWN sleeping space. The 4moms mamaRoo sleep bassinet can sit adjacent to a parent’s bed, and is a perfect example of a safe sleep environment within immediate reach. In fact, by having the baby sleep in your room (but NOT in your bed) – you cut the risk of SIDS by 80%.
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Inconsistent bedtimes.
Our brains LOVE a good routine – and babies are no different. Bedtime routine is about more than just getting your child washed and into PJs to avoid parental sleep deprivation. A good routine actually sends a signal to your child’s brain that when the routine starts, sleep time is coming. They can then start to slow down and relax into sleep, instead of fighting it. Start by choosing a “bedtime,” then follow with a 15-minute routine that can include bath, PJs + swaddle, nurse or bottle-feed, optional rocking/short lullaby or story (for slightly older infants), then bed. Along those lines, keep the location “where” they sleep consistent. Having a consistent PLACE (such as the bassinet) where they sleep will also help them link that to sleep.
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Not maximizing / leveraging soothing techniques.
We think of the first few months after birth as “The 4th Trimester” – a time when baby is adjusting to life out of the womb. In this period, anything that can help replicate life in utero will help to soothe baby. One of the best ways is skin-to-skin contact. This is KEY for the mamas out there struggling with postpartum sleep deprivation. It’s important to know that other family members can do skin-to-skin, too. Dads, partners, grandparents – baby will respond to all of these (and perhaps give mama a well-needed break). Other options for coping with sleep deprivation include rocking and white noise. The 4moms mamaRoo sleep bassinet is a fantastic option because it has five unique motion and speed settings, and 4 different white noises – a veritable baby-soother all in one.
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Judging yourself.
We parents are hard on ourselves – and when you add in sleep deprivation, we’re even more critical of ourselves. One of the questions that sleep experts hear a lot is: "how much sleep do you get with a newborn?" Just
know that no parent is the same. No one’s baby or motherhood looks like Instagram perfection. And – please believe me as both a physician and a mama when I tell you– no one knows your baby (and what “works” or “doesn’t work”) as well as you do. Trust your gut. Trust that you are learning and that you don’t have to be the dictionary definition of “perfect” to be exactly the parent your child needs.
Until babies are born with their own personalized “manual,” we parents will all learn by doing. And that’s ok. Remember – you’ve GOT this.
-Dr. Darria
FAQs
Can babies sleep in the MamaRoo Sleep® Bassinet?
Yes, babies can sleep in the MamaRoo Sleep® Bassinet. The MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet is designed to keep your baby comfortable while sleeping overnight or napping throughout the day.
Is it safe for a baby to sleep in the MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet?
Yes, it is safe for babies to sleep in the MamaRoo Sleep bassinet. Our bassinet’s firm mattress provides a firm, flat sleep surface that follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Safe Sleep recommendations.
Is the MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet safe for newborns?
4moms has done extensive testing on our MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet to make sure that it is safe for babies, including newborns. We ensured that our bassinet meets all sleep and safety compliances to ensure a safe sleeping environment for your baby.
When is a baby too big for the MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet?
The MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet is safe for use from birth until the child reaches a maximum weight limit of 25 pounds or can push up on their hands or knees. Discontinue the use of the bassinet when whichever comes first.
