Congratulations! You’re a new dad!
This is an exciting time for you and your partner. But it’s also a time when mom is going to need your support. Not only did she just grow a human being and get him out into the world, she’s now responsible for taking care of this little bundle of joy, while trying to heal and deal with sleep deprivation.
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You are her No. 1 supporter and while you may not be able to do everything your partner does with the baby, you can still help her get a good night’s sleep.
Be a Baby Whisperer
If your wife is breastfeeding, she’s going to be handling a bulk of the feeds. But you can definitely become the ‘go to’ guy when your little one starts to cry. Master the art of getting your newborn to calm down. Learn how to swaddle. Rock her in your arms. Sing songs. Walk him around in a baby carrier. Not only will this give you bonding time with your new baby, it gives your partner time to take a cat nap herself.
Get Up in the Night
Just because your wife is breastfeeding that doesn’t mean she has to be up for hours if your newborn won’t go back to sleep. Life with a baby is a marathon, not a sprint, and sleep deprivation can really take a toll on a new mom. After she’s done feeding your little one, take over and do the diaper change and whatever is needed to put her back to sleep.
Get Up First Thing in the Morning
If your partner has been up throughout the night, give her an extra bit of sleep in the morning by getting up with your baby in the early morning. Those extra few minutes of Zzzzzzs may be exactly what she needs to get through the day ahead.
Make Feeding Time Easier
When your partner sits down to feed the baby, whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding, get her anything she needs to make her more comfortable. This includes things like her phone, a snack, the television remote, water, or even a book. The more comfortable she is when feeding, the more relaxed she will be.
Help Around the House
We can’t tell you the number of times new moms hear “sleep when the baby sleeps.” While it’s good advice, we also know it’s hard to sleep when there are bottles to sterilize, laundry to wash, and a dishwasher full of clean dishes while the countertop is covered with dirty ones. By helping to keep on top of the daily household chores it means she really can sleep when the baby sleeps.
Encourage Her to Meet Other New Moms
While you are her biggest supporter, it’s often helpful for a new mom to know she isn’t alone. Encourage her to meet other new moms who she can talk to and commiserate about the daily challenges of taking care of a newborn. Talking to others who understand what you are going through can relieve a lot of stress.
Hire a Sleep Consultant
Last but not least you can hire a sleep consultant who can offer advice on how you can all sleep more soundly. We work with many families to help all members sleep soundly and function as the healthy and happy family unit they are meant to be.
