How to survive sleep deprivation

“Enjoy the sleepless nights!”

A phrase all too commonly said to new parents-to-be. I don’t understand why?! It’s like they’re trying to put you off a decision you already can’t go back on! Wouldn’t it be better if they were to dish out some advice on how to survive those sleepless nights, rather than make a new parent already feel trapped/anxious/not sure what to say but…”thanks?!”

Sleeping through is a myth.

This is why I wanted to write this post about how to survive sleep deprivation. I want to help all you mummas out there who’s babies might not be ‘sleeping through’ – what does that even mean anyway? It’s all opinion anyway! One mother’s idea of sleeping through might be different to another, however that’s a whole other post! So if you, like me, are surviving on only a handful of hours sleep a night, then read on to find out how you can survive sleep deprivation and come out the other end winning!

*Some of the below links are affiliate links meaning I make a small profit if you make a purchase. Thanks for your understanding.

How to survive sleep deprivation

Don’t listen to other mum’s who say their babies are sleeping through

Okay, so like I said, I could go into this in a whole other post, however, I just wanted to touch on it now as I think it’s really important for you all to hear. I recently read Sarah Ockwell-Smith’s book, * Your Baby’s Sleep Matters, which I highly recommend to you al! After reading it, I felt so much more reassured that my baby is sleeping normally… like a baby!

Let’s break the trend.

We live in a society which expects babies to ‘sleep through’ from a certain age but really, that age (6 months is it??) is not based on research. 6 months has been plucked out of thin air by some non-expert. Now it has become the norm to think that babies will sleep through by then. All babies are different. I bet you don’t sleep through the whole night? No-one does. Not even the babies who’s mothers claim they do. They’ll wake at the end of each sleep cycle but won’t need help getting back to sleep. Some babies new more help than others…

From my experience…

My little boy wakes and will need a feed to help comfort him back to sleep and that’s ok. I’ve made peace with this. Some babies need less sleep than others, therefore it’s just something we have to come to terms with. And this leads me on nicely to my next point…

It won’t be forever. Enjoy these moments

I’ve been trying to tell myself this lately. Usually by a year (but again, not set in stone) a baby will slowly start weaning themselves off any night feeds. We need to remind ourselves that this period will be short-lived. I’m sure we’ll all miss those nightly cuddles, even if you don’t think it now.

Pop on your big sunglasses and get out of the house

Despite the lack of sleep, I’ve found that the weeks where I’ve been out a lot, I’ve felt much better in comparison to those when I’ve stayed in. I don’t know about you but my baby sleeps well in the pram, therefore getting out is a win-win situation. I get my time for a coffee, he gets his sleep. It does depend on where your baby will sleep but even getting out for some fresh air with an awake baby will do wonders for your mental health.

– Big sunglasses are essential for those 3 eyelids you’re currently sporting.

Wear a spritz of your fave perfume

A bit of an odd one but trust me. The other morning after a particularly eventful night, I was getting ready to go out and decided to reach for my fave perfume *(Aqua di Parma, Arancia di Capri) and instantly I felt so refreshed and ready to face the day! I always feel instantly able to do more when I take better care of myself. Worth a try!

Treat yourself, not baby

Maybe not the best one for your bank account if you’re always feeling sleep-deprived (like me) but the art of shopping can count for something. Why not have a browse of your fave online stores whilst feeding baba and pop something nice in the basket for yourself? It’s all too easy during early motherhood to only buy for baby. 3 months in and i’m only just starting to remember that I might need things too! Last week I bought a sweater and it felt good, so go on, you deserve it!

Cooling, soothing eye gel is magic

I was gifted by my mother-in-law the *Estee Lauder day wear eye cooling ant-oxidant gel and boy does it make my puffy eyes de-puff! A few dabs of it under my eyes in the morning and it’s like an instant lift. I suddenly feel awake! I know it’s in plastic but I didn’t buy it for myself, so couldn’t really stop that. I’m sure there are plenty of eco-alternatives!

How you survive sleep deprivation

I asked you all on instagram for your tips on how to survive sleep deprivation and here’s what you said –

“Yoga, coffee and smoothies”
– Mum and yoga teacher @sacral_heart

“Be kind to yourself. Take 5 mins to make yourself a drink, have a shower, read a page of your book”
– Mum and money blogger thriftymummathriftybubba.com @thriftymummathriftybubba

“Drinking in the bathtub”
– My hilarious friend @thomasjpcarter

“Eat loads of snacks”
– Gorgeous mum of one @charlotte_griffiths3

“Go outside”
– Eco-mumma of two & blogger mamascrumpy.wordpress.com @mama_scrumpy

“Have a beige day. #carbcentral”
-Cheltenham coffee shop & restaurant 85coffeekitchen.co.uk @85coffeekitchen

“Carry on like normal!”
– Mum of two gorgeous girlies & seasoned sleep-deprivee @the_cherry_mama

“Warm milk with honey and a good book. Or Grey’s Anatomy reruns! Always does the trick!”
– Mumma to two, blogger, language teacher at Babel Babies totallymumtotallyme.wordpress.com @danstar212

“Take a long bubble bath while hubby watches the little man!”
– Mummy to one little boy & blogger thesurreymumma.wordpress.com @thesurreymumma