Sleeping Tips

Yes, mom is going to be going crazy with sleep deprivation when caring for a new baby, but don’t worry…we didn’t forget about the new fathers! We understand you are going to be just as frustrated and tired sometimes and we thought we would give some tips especially for the rookie dads.

When caring for a baby, you know that night time is NOT always for sleeping. Babies need round the clock care and just because you are supposed to be sleeping does not mean that they are. Taking the night shift however is something that needs to be done by more than one person if you want any sleep at all, so take turns with your partner. By alternating who wakes up for your child, it allows you as a father to get more sleep because you are undisturbed (well as much as possible) every other night instead of fighting over who gets up every night. Make a schedule and stick to it, so there is no disoriented arguing at 3 am.

Now as a father, you may think that you do not know how to care for your baby like the mother, due to her innate skills, but you can. All you need to do is learn how exactly your child likes to be handled. You and the mom will both learn together the little things that put your baby to sleep the fastest, so pay close attention to this. By learning how to hold/rock your baby, you will get him or her to sleep faster and that means more shut eye for dear old pop. Make the most of this time because you need sleep to so you can get through your week without a cranky attitude and bloodshot eyes. The mother of your child will appreciate a more pleasant, well rested you anyways.

We cannot assume that you do not already pitch in to help mom out with getting the baby to sleep and feedings, but if you don’t… for heaven sakes help her already!!!! There are simple things you can do like bringing the baby to her for a feeding or giving the baby a bath, that will all go a LOOOONNG way. Not only will the mother of your newborn child be greatly appreciative, but if the baby gets to sleep faster, then so do you. A happy wife means a happy life, and a sleepy baby means a sleepy daddy. So the more you help the better...for everyone.

Peace.love.daddy sleep!

We have preached multiple times about how much we HATE television and radio in the bedroom before rest. On the other hand, we do realize that some people need some sort of audible stimulation in order to fall asleep. This is where sleep machines come in. Do they really work? Are they beneficial for sleep? We will briefly discuss this and which ones will be best for someone who needs to have background noise while they fall asleep. 

Ok, so TV= bad. (trust us). Even if you think it helps you to sleep better, it is really only on a comfort level. In reality, you are more likely to wake up during the night more often. You may not notice at the time, but your day will be affected in comparison to a night with no interruptions. 

If you need some type of audible comfort in order to fall asleep then we recommend using a sleep machine. A sleep machine is a device that when turned on makes soothing noises that help aid sleep.  You can pick nature sounds, white noise or even a heartbeat!

So…. do they work?

We think yes. Although they are not for everyone, sleep machines can be an effective way to help you fall asleep while maintaining the comfort aspect of a TV or radio. There are different settings on a sleep machine, depending on which one you buy. The more expensive ones have various settings that range from the typical white noise, dolphin sounds to the sound of a heartbeat and thunderstorm. First off think about what noises make you most comfortable. Buying a sleep machine that has these different settings is beneficial because you can test out the different sounds to find your favorite; you can change them up as you wish. The white noise is the most common however and is recommended for sleep deprivation due to outside noise. It uses a steady and non- repetitive frequency that drowns out other noises but does not bother the sleeper because the brain does not focus on it. If you are often kept up late at night due to outside distractions, then this is something that you may want to try. 

Sleep machines are sold in many electronic stores as well as bedding supplies stores. They range in price, but ultimately get the same job done. If you are someone who constantly needs something playing in the background to sleep, turn off the TV and try a sleep machine. It may be the start of a beautiful relationship with your sleeping pattern.

Peace. Love. Sleep!

Everybody has their different comfort level when it comes to sleep. While most people need complete darkness to doze off, there are still many adults who feel more comfortable with some sort of light on. Many adults continue to sleep with the light on or a night light. Light does not directly affect your sleep, however, it can impair your ability to fall asleep and stay in that slumber. Here are some things to consider if you or your partner has an issue regarding lighting at bedtime.

The lighting you have during the time you are not sleeping will affect how you’ll sleep later that night. Bright lighting for instance can have a negative effect on your ability to get to sleep, even after it is turned off. A tip to try is to get recessed lighting. These are the bulbs that fit inside the ceiling and illuminate the entire room, rather than just the spot where the lamp is. This lighting is best because it avoids direct contact with your eyes and will provide a better atmosphere for your room.

If you, your partner, or your child insists on sleeping with the light on, it is important to know it does not cause any sufficient harm; however, it is not recommended. Leaving the light on during the entire night while you sleep is a wasteful use of energy; also if you sleep with or near someone that requires a dark room, you have a problem. What we recommend is having a light that you can dim. This way you or your loved one can dim down the light so it does not bother others as much and while still providing enough light to see.

If you are an adult using a night light, do not be embarrassed, many people use them. They are useful when getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and are actually recommended in hallways for this reason. If you do not want your small light to scream “night light,” know that you can buy decorative ones that simply look like wall decorations.

Now some people use a television as their night light to go to sleep. As we previously mentioned, media is not a favorable thing to fall asleep to. The distracting sounds and bright light will impair your ability to stay soundly asleep, even if you don’t notice it. Trust us, grab your nature sounds and plug in a night light, then call us in the morning. 

Peace. Love. Sleep!!