There are going to be times after bringing your newborn baby home that you feel you’ll never sleep again. Make sure that you get as much rest and sleep as you can in the meantime. You shouldn’t expect your baby to sleep through the night for the first few weeks. It might even take a few months. While they are adjusting to the new day/night schedule they never asked for, you won’t get much sleep during the night yourself until they do.
Try to stick to their sleeping pattern until they start sleeping through the night like you. Many new parents try to do everything all at once and start taking care of the laundry and cleaning when their baby finally sleeps. Being supermom will only wear you out even more.
If you’re able to get someone to help out with the cleaning during the first few weeks then don’t hesitate to get it. If a friend or family member can watch the baby for you for a few hours in the afternoon while you get some sleep, then you should take advantage of their kindness when you can.
If you’ve been run ragged all day taking care of the baby, the house, and possibly your other children if you have them, it’s hard to relax and turn off at the end of the day just because everyone else in the house has gone to bed.
Put together some routines that can help you to unwind at the end of the day. Have a nice warm bath and play relaxing music. Try to avoid caffeine in the day, even if you aren’t breastfeeding, and especially avoid it at night. Drink lots of water or decaffeinated/herbal tea. If you eat foods that have sodium or preservatives in them and they make you jumpy, you should avoid those foods. Try to get lots of natural foods like fruits, vegetables, salads, and healthy soups.
Try to get out and have a walk when you feel able to. The fresh air and moderate exercise helps you to feel relaxed and makes it easier for you to sleep at night.