Sleeping
For information on babies' sleeping habits see the'sleeping' link in the 'Your Baby' section.
In terms of yourself, most of the time parents just live with tiredness, but when the tiredness begins to make you feel low, bad tempered,unable to cope and certainly unable to enjoy things you've got to find ways of getting more sleep or at least more rest. Just one night a week could help.
- Get to bed really, really early, say for a week. If you can't sleep when you get to bed do something relaxing for half an hour beforehand, whether it's exercise, soaking in the bath or watching TV.
- Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. Rest when (if) your baby has a daytime sleep or is at playgroup or nursery. Arrange for a friend or relative to take your baby for a while - not so that you can get jobs done but so you can sleep.
- If you can, share getting up in the night with your partner. If you're on your own a friend or relative might be prepared to have your baby overnight occasionally.
