Five Tips for Exhausted Mums to Get Better Sleep

Feeling exhausted seems to come as part of the job description for mum. But, there are ways you can start to feel human again and get more sleep; even if it is only a little a day. Hadley Seward from Bonne Nuit Baby, has written a few tips on how to regain sleep control and invites you to take part in her Exhausted Mama challenge.

Fact:  almost all new mums are exhausted. The level of fatigue during the newborn phase is mind-blowing and, luckily, doesn’t last forever. But even after your baby is sleeping more at night, many mums (and dads) are running on empty. So how can we get more ZZZs even if our kids aren’t the best sleepers?



1. Set a realistic goal

If you have a newborn, sleeping 12 hours straight may not be possible (for now). Take a look at your situation and determine how much sleep you’d like to aim for each night. Write down that number and post it somewhere visible as motivation.

2. Get serious about bedtime

If you want more sleep but your baby wakes each day at 6am, then one solution is to go to bed earlier in the evening. Set a bedtime that you do your best to stick to. It’s easy to get distracted (thanks, Netflix!), so set a timer on your phone 30 minutes before bedtime as a reminder to start winding down.

3. Digital Detox

It’s true what they say - screen time before bed really does interfere with sleep. A 2014 study found that people who used e-readers before bedtime took 10 minutes longer to fall asleep and felt less rested the following day. Another found that participants who used iPads two hours before bed had noticeably lower level of melatonin. The takeaway? Ditch TVs, computers, tablets and phones an hour before bed. It’s a difficult feat, but worth it.





4. Upgrade the quality of your sleep

Whether you’re at the mercy of an unpredictable  newborn or just wake up in the morning feeling tired, it may be time to improve your sleep conditions. Be sure that you’re sleeping in a very dark and quiet room. If you’re room-sharing with your baby (or a partner who snores), consider using white noise. If you find it difficult to calm your mind at bedtime, try essential oils like lavender or Roman chamomile at bedtime. If you live in a city, check out blackout curtains to filter out the bright city lights.

5. Indulge in rituals

Life with a baby can leave us feeling disjointed and out of sorts. If you need to ground yourself, consider creating rituals in the morning or just before bed. Some ideas: a bedtime journal or gratitude list; restorative yoga; or even just waking up early and enjoying a cup of coffee in peace.

 

For tired mums, the struggle is real. But you’re not alone! If you want to commit to sleeping smarter, join my 7-day sleep challenge that starts on June 12th. It’s absolutely free of charge, no strings attached. You’ll learn lots of sleep hacks and meet cool mums from around the world. Learn more + register here.

baby bedtime


Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Follow us on our social channels!


read more from the MORI journal


← Next Post Previous Post →

[{"currency_code": "$-USD", "country": "US", "continent": "none"},{"currency_code": "$-CAD", "country": "CA", "continent": "none"},{"currency_code": "$-AUD", "country": "AU", "continent": "none"},{"currency_code": "¥-JPY", "country": "JP", "continent": "none"},{"currency_code": "CHF", "country": "CH", "continent": "none"}]
Switch to USD ?