The first-night feeds can be a tough time for some parents. The day-to-day demands are difficult to reconcile with the lack of sleep, which is often related to the months after the childbirth.

Actually, there is no magic formula to solve this problem: you will have to get used to for a while the nightly sleeplessness.

However, there are some tricks to try to make a more tolerable effort and try to sleep in the attempt. Take note!

 

8 tips to cope with night feeds

 

Take advantage of sleeping while the baby does it

Whenever possible, try to take a nap when your baby does. Even if it’s in during the daylight, you can do it for a while. You’ll have to adapt your body rhythm to your little newborn’s. Those interspersed dreams will help you get through the night better.

 

Get your baby used to sleep on his own after feeding him

Try to reduce night-time feeds if they are strictly necessary: feeding the baby. Don’t cradle him, don’t sing him lullabies. The baby will get used to going back to sleep without the need of external stimuli. Meanwhile, you will be able to go back to sleep more easily.

 

Organize everything and at hand

Organize everything before you go to bed so that everything is easier when it’s time to feed your baby. If you need to start organizing your nighttime feeding, you’ll stay up and your baby probably will too.

 

If you opt for co-sleeping…

In case you take the option of co-sleeping, lie down next to him so that the baby relaxes when he feels you close. Close contact with his parents is something that usually relaxes babies a lot.

 

Share the night feeds with your partner and ask for their help

Remember that both of you are a team, shared feeds are more acceptable. It is not the same to make an effort by yourself than feeling your life partner is doing it on his side.

 

Consult your pediatrician to assess the frequency of feeds

 If there’s a time when your baby doesn’t wake up at night, consult your pediatrician to evaluate the option of spacing out or stopping the nighttime feedings. They may not be necessary anymore.

 

Create a pre-sleep routine

Creating a routine before going to sleep is a good measure to control night-time feeds.

For example, you can always shower him before the first-night feed. Help him differentiate between night and day from his birth with feeds with light in the daytime, and without light at night, with background noise in the daytime, and without it at night.

 

Take it easy, it won’t be forever!

The baby will eventually eliminate night-time feeds naturally, but if you want to do it sooner, you can try it. However, never do it before 7 months, the age at which it is recommended that you keep feeding him on demand.

We hope these tips will help you to cope with your baby’s night-time feedings in the best possible way – it’s worth the effort!