<p><strong><em>Try these tricks to catch some ZZZs while caring for a newborn solo</em></strong></p><p>“Say goodbye to sleep!” </p><p>You’ve probably heard it dozens of times since sharing the news of your <a href="https://esme.com/resources/c/pregnancy" target="_blank" class="wordlink">pregnancy</a>. It’s true enough that all mothers—not just the solo ones—have to grapple with some sleep deprivation; that just comes with the territory. But if you’re proactive and strategic, there’s plenty you can do to sneak in sleep while caring for your newborn on your own. </p><p><strong>Drop everything and nap</strong></p><p>Napping when you have a newborn is not a luxury, it’s an absolute necessity. You’d be amazed at what even a short nap can do to restore your feeling of well-being (and sanity). Newborns sleep all the time, so you’ll have plenty of chances to sneak in a nap yourself—as long as you are sure to drop everything else. That means laundry, dishes, emails, even guests. They came for the baby, anyway, so put them to good use and have them keep an eye on the little one when you spend some time with the Sandman. </p><p><strong>Find some sleepover buddies </strong></p><p>Getting a family member or a close friend to take over a nighttime shift not only wins you extra sleep, it affords you the adult company that you’ll probably be craving. Just pump and have them bottle-feed the baby for one feeding so you can rack up five or six straight hours. Some folks will be happy to stay for a few days at a time and some can only handle one night every so often, but chances are, friends and family will be happy to help at night—after all, they can go home and catch up on sleep the next night. </p><p><strong>Experiment with sleeping surfaces for baby </strong></p><p>Babies can be finicky and each one has unique preferences, which means you need a lot of tricks up your sleeve. Some newborns love sleeping in rocking cradles, some in the bouncy seat, some only want to be in the bassinet. Don’t get discouraged if the first option doesn’t work, just move on to the next one. (Use hand-me-downs or used goods to keep costs low!) </p><p><strong>Use all the soothing aids you can </strong></p><p>Pacifiers, swaddling, vibrating seats, infant swings—stay open to all of it, because you never know what will be the key that unlocks the amazing chamber of slumber. Make a commitment to yourself right from the get-go to stay flexible and guilt-free; the newborn months are a time when we all have to make it by hook or by crook.</p><p><strong>Wait before you respond to your baby </strong></p><p>When baby calls, you come; that’s just instinct. But sometimes, your newborn isn’t hungry or hurting, and he or she will settle right back to sleep after a little moaning. So be optimistic and give your newborn a minute before you rush to the rescue in the middle of the night.</p><p><strong>Remind yourself this, too, shall pass</strong></p><p>All babies learn how to sleep through the night eventually—and the truly tough part of the sleeplessness only last a few weeks. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not very long. Before you know it, you’ll be looking back at this crazy, wonderful, exhausting time and smiling about it.</p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Image via Shutterstock.com</span></p>
<p><strong><em>Seven tips to help you ride the postpartum roller coaster </em></strong><strong><em></em></strong><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">The weeks after your baby’s birth are like one big roller-coaster ride, with thrilling highs, plenty of lows, and tons of unexpected twists and turns. You’ll be amazed, terrified, overjoyed, confused, lonely—and everything in between. It’s a time of great change—and change, even when it’s wonderful, can be overwhelming.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">You can’t hit the brakes on your postpartum roller coaster, but you can definitely slow it down and make the ride a little smoother. From little practical adjustments to more profound changes in perspective, there is a lot you can do to preserve your sanity while caring for a newborn. Step number one? Read this list. Now, how easy was that?</span> </p><ol><li><strong>Take it one day at a time.</strong> There are times in your life when it’s really important to think long-term, but right after you have a baby is not one of them. At a time when so much is in flux, letting your mind venture too far in the future will only lead to trouble. Plan one day at a time—or when that’s too tough, one hour at a time. In a few months, things will calm down (we promise!), and you can contemplate your future then. </li><li><strong>Sneak in sleep.</strong> There’s no way to stay sane if you’re totally exhausted, so make sleep your first priority. Get creative about sneaking in extra sleep—at night or during the day. Maybe that means asking a friend to sleep over and take a night shift, maybe it means letting your baby sleep in the bouncy seat, or maybe it means having your guest watch the baby while you nap. Remember: even a short nap can be incredibly refreshing and make all the difference in your day.</li><li><strong>Get out of the house.</strong> Leaving the house with a newborn can seem intimidating at first, but you’ll be shocked at how good it feels to be out in the world, with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Exercise is a known mood raiser, and though you won’t be able to pull off a full workout, you can easily take a walk or a jog behind a stroller. Bonus perk? The change of scenery will probably boost the baby’s mood, too!</li><li><strong>Join a single-parent support group.</strong> The best way to cope with the loneliness and anxiety that can creep in is to talk to other moms in the same boat. Join a local support group or an online one, such as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.parentswithoutpartners.org">Parents Without Partners</a> and, of course, <a href="https://esme.com/community">ESME’s Sisters</a> section! These connections not only help emotionally but also serve as lifesavers when it comes to practical questions, such as which stroller you should buy or how to deal with diaper rash. </li><li><strong>Put friends and family to work</strong><strong>.</strong> A baby brings visitors from near and far, which offers you much-needed adult conversation and lots of potential help. Take full advantage! Resist the urge to be the perfect host who tends to her guests’ every need, and let them tend to yours instead. When friends and family ask if there’s anything they can do, say yes! Ask them to fold laundry, load the dishwasher, bring dinner, or hold the baby while you shower or nap. </li><li><strong>Get rid of guilt.</strong> Even before your baby is born, you will likely be visited by the big, bad bother of Mommy Guilt. All mothers, single or married, are susceptible to guilt, and all can agree it’s a colossal waste of time and energy. Every mother, every baby, every family is unique, with different needs and abilities. Let yourself off the hook from the get-go; know that you are trying your best, and decide that that is always good enough. </li><li><strong>Give yourself little treats</strong><strong>.</strong> In addition to taking care of your basic physical needs—eating, sleeping, bathing—you need to attend to your emotional needs, too. You probably won’t have the time or money to spend an afternoon at the spa, but you can indulge in little treats every day. Whether it’s eating your favorite chocolate bar, doing a sun salute, reading a new book, or watching reality TV, say yes to your little pleasures—guilty or not. A little treat can go a long way to making you feel like you again. </li></ol><p>And, remember: though some days (and nights!) can feel endless, the truly tough part of the postpartum period lasts only a matter of weeks. Before you know it, your baby will be sleeping and laughing and blowing kisses, and you’ll wonder where the time went. </p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Image via Shutterstock.com</span></p>