Many parents in the making are recommended by the members of their entourage, already experienced by their children, to stock up on sleep before the baby arrives. Advice that optimistic future parents tend to take lightly. Having never experienced sleep deprivation, they are obviously convinced that they will get out of it without the slightest weakness.

Yes, but here it is, when the baby arrives, reality catches up with them from motherhood and the need for sleep sets in as quickly as dark circles. So to avoid risking parental burn-out, here are some good habits to adopt.

Sleep when baby sleeps

Everyone will tell you, but you will probably not want to do it if this is your first child: force yourself to sleep when your baby is asleep, starting with maternity.

Of course, you’ll want to admire it for hours and yet, the fatigue of childbirth and the first nights will not leave you if you do not take advantage of your stay to rest as much as possible. This will therefore require naps but also an iron discipline as to the visits you will receive. When you get home, and for the months to come, get into the habit of going to bed early if your baby allows you to.

Establish a schedule of on-call nights

If you’re not breastfeeding your baby, or you’ve switched to formula, now is the time to put daddy to work at night! As long as baby wakes up, make a night schedule.

And rather than assigning you every other night, distribute the nights according to this diagram: two nights of sleep followed by two nights on call and so on. When you take two nights to rest, you are more rested than when a night’s sleep is immediately followed by a night on call. Of course, arm yourself with earplugs when you need to sleep, so that you can take full advantage of this lull.

Naps will be your salvation

If you were the hyperactive type before birth, now is the time to curb your urges to make money from your days. Naps are not just for children and you will need to make a habit of taking advantage of these moments of respite during the first months of your baby’s life.

Whether it’s 10 minutes of restful sleep or even an hour or two of quiet rest, this nap will be your salvation!

Unload to the max

During these first intense months, take advantage of every opportunity to do as little as possible. This involves the delivery of your groceries, the minimum union in the kitchen, the employment of a home help, etc.

Contact your Family Allowance Fund which may be able to help you by financing, in part at least, the presence of a social worker (AVS) at your home. Also check with your mutual, you could also perhaps benefit from certain aid.

If your family can help you, take advantage

If a few members of your family live near you, don’t hesitate to put them to work. For an evening, for a day or even for a few hours, have your baby babysit to ventilate you.

And if you don’t have the luxury of enjoying a family presence, enlist the help of a babysitter. You may have a hard time letting go of your baby the first time, but getting fresh air and thinking about something else is vital so that you don’t get overwhelmed by fatigue and remain available for your baby.

Read also 7 signs that show you are way too tired