It’s no secret that your new baby might not love sleep as much as you do, and any mom of multiples will tell you that no two babies are the same. From breastfeeding to sleeping, your recent addition will likely be far different than any predecessor.
Whether you’re shocked your second isn’t sleeping through the night like your first, or pleasantly surprised they are, the differences between your babies is not a reflection of YOU, it’s just how the (lactation) cookie tends to crumble.
March 1st is Baby Sleep Day. From cosleeping to sleep-training, the conversations around baby sleep can be never-ending. If you’re craving a few extra hours of shut-eye, here’s our own simplified toolkit for optimizing your baby’s sleep cycle:
Believe it or not, babies love routine. Nara Baby is an app that tracks all things baby. You’ll find yourself clicking on Nara Baby more often than Instagram and iMessage combined. Track breast and bottle feedings, pumping, sleep, and diaper changes to help make your little one’s sleep and eating preferences a little more predictable.
The best part is you can share the app with fellow caregivers, so you’re all on the same page about the baby's schedule.
You can’t put a price on giving a tired mama a full night's sleep. The cost? It might just be investing in new baby sleepwear. A weighted sleep sack, like these from Dreamland Baby, provides gentle, evenly distributed weight that naturally reduces stress and improves relaxation through deep touch stimulation. As a result, serotonin and melatonin increase while cortisol decreases, allowing your little one to relax, fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer.
White noise for babies helps create a calm, womb-like environment to lull your little one to sleep. Pediatricians recommend that any white noise machines should be placed at least 7 feet away (200 cm) from your baby’s crib. You should also keep the volume on the machine below the maximum volume setting. Keep in mind, you’ll likely need to invest in a portable white noise machine for travel, as your little one may become dependent on the soothing sounds.
Mom’s rest is just as important as the baby’s. If your little one is proving to be particularly stubborn in their sleep schedule, yours is likely non-existent as well. It’s impossible to pour from an empty cup, so don’t be afraid to lean on your friends and family for help! You don’t need a date night to justify a babysitter- sometimes you just need your own afternoon nap!
If all else fails, pour yourself another cup of coffee and try to take a deep breath. Remind yourself that this too shall pass. You’re doing great mama, and you’re certainly not alone in this!
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