


If you’re doing all you’re supposed to do, including asking for help, trying to get sleep when the baby sleeps, and prioritizing sleep, you may need to look at the other symptoms of postpartum depression to see if something bigger is happening. While all parents experience some form of sleeplessness, prolonged insomnia despite exhaustion is one of the many symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and the other postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Recognize It May Be a Sign of a Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder Meditation techniques are also extremely useful in ensuring you get a good nights sleep. Several teas like chamomile and oils like lemongrass are known as natural sedatives. There are also a number of natural remedies available. Whether it’s to help deal with postpartum depression, a lack of sleep, or even the daily chores, seeking help will ensure that you are never over-stretched.

You should not feel guilty or hesitant about seeking help. While it may seem like an eternity, you will start having a more relaxed, enjoyable experience with more sleep as your baby’s sleeping patterns develop. See above about setting those priorities. Don’t be tempted to do the dishes or vacuum. The moment your baby falls asleep is when you should be sleeping, too. While this is a cliche and doesn’t work for all moms and family circumstances, it can be truly beneficial to some. It’s always a good idea to work out a schedule and try and ensure one partner is resting while the other is with the baby. One of the biggest reasons a mother struggles to get adequate sleep is she doesn’t communicate her needs to her partner and family. It’s also okay to let the laundry sit for another day if you get a chance to catch up on sleep. It’s okay to depend on friends or family to get the work done. If there is work to do around the house, don’t feel the need to pitch in. You don’t need to feel guilty about putting your needs first. Setting Your Prioritiesĭuring the first couple of months, it’s completely acceptable to take time off for yourself. A few tips to help you get enough sleep include. They need roughly 16 hours sleep, but it usually comes in short spurts with a maximum of three to four hours at a time.īearing all this in mind, it’s important to ensure you get as much sleep as possible. This is because a newborn has no set circadian rhythms. The most shocking part? It is segmented, meaning she will not get a continuous sleep. Studies have shown that on an average, a new mother gets at least two hours less sleep than she needs. There are a number of ways to find out the quantity of milk you should be producing this should serve as a rough guide to tell you if sleep deprivation is the cause. A lack of sleep can affect the quantity of milk that is being produced. It is harder on the mother as she is already coping with extreme change, and her changing hormones are a major reason for her discomfort.Ī mother is also often a baby’s only source of nutrition which makes her sleeping schedule a top priority.
INSOMNIA AFTER GIVING BIRTH HOW TO
This leads to serious problems with mothers unsure of how to handle their babies. Women who had already been affected by anxiety and depression are more on the radar of damage. More serious side effects of sleep deprivation include severe depression. For a mother, with a newborn baby to take care off, this could make even the smallest of tasks like changing a diaper challenging. If we don’t have adequate REM sleep, it can lead to memory lapses as well as making tasks that require cognitive abilities much more challenging. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is when our brains process the days events as well as sorting through memories. While you may think it’s alright to neglect your sleep, even a small period of sleep loss can have long lasting effects.įirstly, a good few hours of sleep are essential for your body to cope with all the stress it has been exposed to. Sleep deprivation is one of the most common post-birth side effects as well as one of the most damaging. It affects her ability to take proper care of her child. In the long run, it can have an adverse effect on both partners but is especially taxing on a mother. While this may seem like normal behavior from concerned parents, neglecting themselves puts their health at risk. New parents often neglect their own needs.
