Every new parent knows that having a new baby takes over your whole life.
Everything suddenly revolves around their schedule. All the other things you want to get done have to be squeezed into those moments when your baby is asleep.
One of the most important things you can do with those pockets of time, however, is to get some sleep yourself.
Taking a nap while your baby is sleeping is a really effective way to recover from the sleep deprivation that comes with new parenthood.
Even just a 20 or 30 minute nap can help you to feel more refreshed and alert afterwards. It also helps to make up for some of the sleep that you’re not able to get at night.
Once you’ve put your baby down, pull the curtains in your bedroom, make yourself comfortable and allow yourself to nod off for a bit too.
As much as it might feel like you’re neglecting all the other things on your to-do list, taking care of yourself through adequate sleep should outweigh most of them.
When we’re overtired we’re more likely to forget things, make mistakes and we’re also more prone to low-mood and depression.
So make your own sleep a priority and nap when you can.