What To Do When Baby Wont Sleep

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When you were pregnant, it seemed like baby would never arrive. Now that he's here, you can't help but wonder how long 18 years really is.

Don't feel like a bad parent. Those first few months are hard, especially when baby struggles to sleep. It does get better though and there are even some excellent things you can do to keep yourself calm and sane when baby wont sleep.

As long as your baby is sleeping on a fairly normal schedule, chances are your definition of a decent stretch of sleep and his are just a little different.

Babies tend to sleep for only about two to four hours at a time during the first six or so weeks of life. This, of course, is not enough for a mother who has already been put through the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth.

It is, however, something you're going to need to deal with for a little while.

Considering this, one of the best things to do when baby won't sleep to your liking is to come up with ways to adapt personally. Granted, this is no walk in the park. Living off three hours' sleep here and there is not something most adults do well.

To help yourself adjust to the temporary schedule change, there are things you can do to help you handle it better when baby wont sleep to your liking. They include:

Try to sleep when he does. This is often easier said than done, but a lot of parents find it can help. Even just closing your eyes and relaxing for a few minutes can really take a load off. If sleep won't come, watch a favorite television program, read a book or just unplug with a bit of soft music.

When baby wont sleep to your liking, you are going to need your energy. The days of the three-hour stretch will pass, but it is going to be a while before he'll snooze for eight at a time.

Let go. One of the worst things new parents do is spend the time baby is sleeping worrying about making sure the house is spotless.

Take five to ten minutes and pick up, but don't worry if there's a bit of clutter here, dishes in the sink every now and again or so on. You've been through a huge change.

Give yourself some time to relax, too. Baby is not going to remember that the garbage didn't make it out. Learning to give yourself a break is one of the best ways to adapt when baby wont sleep.

Learn to walk away. When baby won't sleep on the schedule your body demands (which happens to everyone), there are going to be times when exhaustion will get the better of you. Don't feel like you have to hold him every second of the day or night. If your temper is running high or you just need a minute to yourself, make sure he's safe and secured in his crib and take five.

One of the most important keys to good parenting is learning to take a short break to refocus when you really need it. As long as he's safe, this makes you a great parent – not a bad one.

New parents, especially first-timers, tend to run themselves ragged worrying when baby wont sleep.

As long as he's on a fairly regular five-hour or less pattern during the first few weeks and he's healthy, he's normal.

Learning how to step back and take a break is often the best possible thing a parent can do when baby wont sleep.

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