Stress and New Baby

The moment is finally here, you’ve brought your newborn home for the first time after months of anticipation and planning. Being a new mom comes chock-full of joy and elation—but something that your pregnancy doesn’t prepare you for is coping with late-night feedings and a severely altered sleeping schedule.

Even when all is quiet, it’s very common for a new mom to be filled with nervous energy as she tries to sleep, constantly thinking of when the next feeding will be, or when she should run in to quell a late-night cry. This not only makes those first few months extra hard on you, heightened stress and lack of sleep also wreaks havoc on your body and your weight as you recover your natural shape.

So here are some tips to help you catch some z’s to make sure you’re well rested for your newborn.

1) Take turns on those nighttime feedings, but this goes for during the day as well. Don’t be afraid to have someone help you out as you take an afternoon nap.

2) Lie down when possible, even if you’re unable to fall asleep. Sometimes just getting off your feet and closing your eyes can be incredibly restorative.

3) Focus on activities that make you drowsy right before you go to bed. This can include listening to a soft radio, putting in a nature sounds CD, or reading a relaxing novel. Try to avoid surfing the net or watching TV, as these can be stimulating to your eyes and can keep you up longer than you expected.

4) If you’re tired and you can sleep—do it! Some women have the need to do everything for everyone, but you don’t have to be a super mom. If you have the opportunity to sleep, take it—even if it’s just for a few minutes. Don’t try to fit in cleaning the bathroom or paying bills while your baby is sleeping.

5) Try your best not to look at the clock during late-night feedings. Fixating on the time can cause you to get anxious—just feed when you need to and put him or her back to bed once you’re finished.

Lack of sleep is a very common thing for any new parent. Just remember that it’s important to take care of yourself—not only for you, but for your new bundle of joy as well. Finally, remember that while diet aids like SLIMQUICK can help you reach your goals faster, nursing mothers should never use any type of nutritional supplement without first consulting with your medical doctor. SLIMQUICK is never to be taken by pregnant or nursing women.