nap often in the tiring early days

Waking and feeding at night is the biological norm for your baby during their early months and beyond. That’s a huge adjustment for all new parents and can make the postpartum period very challenging. This especially rings true as time goes on and the weariness accumulates. When considering ways to manage this exhaustion, it's helpful to start planning for your nighttime by being creative beforehand.

• get in sync with your baby for the first weeks and months – grabbing sleep whenever you can, such as going to bed early or taking shifts with a partner or family member
• broaden your imagination to include periods of rest throughout the 24 hours that each day has to offer
• if breastfeeding, work with your body's hormones after feedings to help you fall asleep as your baby does
• strive to achieve comfortable, relaxing, non-stimulating nighttime feeds

You will be well rewarded in the later weeks by giving yourself the most restful early postpartum you can. By thinking outside the box for extra daytime rest you can have an increased ability to cope at night. Don’t forget, you’re in transition, too.