How I Managed to Get More Sleep as a First-Time Mom
Stepping into the world of motherhood brought a mix of excitement and overwhelm. Everything about becoming a mom ignited my curiosity and love of learning. However, the world of baby sleep, in particular, took me by storm, and little did I know at the time that it would become a significant chapter in my parenting story.
The Early Days
My first bundle of joy brought new experiences, especially in the realm of sleep. As a breastfeeding mom, I found myself navigating the world of on-demand nursing and nighttime wakings.
Despite the well-meaning advice I received, suggesting everything from formula feeding to pre-bedtime carb loading, I chose to trust my instincts.
Research and Revelation
Determined to learn all about infant sleep and child development, I dove into research. To my surprise, everything I read pointed to the fact that night wakings for breastfeeding are often signs of normal and healthy development.
Breast milk, you see, is tailored to your baby’s needs. The demand-and-supply nature of milk production ensures sufficiency, which means your body needs your baby to wake up and nurse, for it to keep producing milk.
Unfortunately, though, many adults, including some pediatricians, overlook this fact and end up providing misleading advice based on unrealistic sleep expectations.
The Co-Sleeping Epiphany
At six months, influenced by conventional wisdom and safety concerns about bedsharing, I decided to transition my firstborn to his own room. However, this proved to be the wrong decision for me.
Upon the initial move to his room, my son’s frequent night wakes became a challenge. Having to get out of bed to cater to his needs multiple times a night was exhausting!
A shift occurred, though, when I brought him to my bed. In the warmth of our shared space, he found comfort and security and slept way better. Co-sleeping became a game-changer!
Sleep Training
Around the same time, his pediatrician suggested sleep training, surprised that my breastfed son still woke up during the night.
The pressure to conform to societal norms almost led me to believe that my baby really needed to learn how to self-soothe. I even booked a consultation with a sleep training specialist to tell me how I can leave my baby to cry in isolation.
A few minutes into the training, I called it off. To me, it felt wrong!
That night, I held my baby a little tighter as I nursed him back to sleep, appreciating the warmth and love I could offer him.
Finding What Works
Fast forward to the present…
I am now a mom of 3 boys, 3 years and under. At night, we all curl up in our family room – my eldest by my side, and my twins in their floor beds next to me.
Our unique sleep arrangement may not align with conventional norms, but it works for us.
When the time is right, all three will transition to their own bedroom, but until then, we embrace what brings the best sleep for all of us.
A Message to Moms
To every mom navigating the labyrinth of sleep advice, amidst societal pressures, doctor recommendations, or family input, I encourage you to listen to your instincts and tune out the noise.
Whether it’s co-sleeping or another method that brings serenity to your nights, trust that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Create a safe space and let the rhythm of your family guide your sleep journey.
After all, a well-rested family is a happy family.
*If you plan to bedshare, make sure you do it in a safe space! Check out the Safe Sleep Seven to learn more.
If you are facing multiple night wakes and need support in making changes, I’m here to help you get better sleep without any sleep training.
With love,
Nada
