Babies and sleep are two things that don’t
always go hand in hand! So how much –
or little – shut-eye can you really expect to
get in the first few months and how can
you make the most of it?

If there’s one thing any new mum will tell you, it’s how tiring
the first few months can be. For starters, newborns have no
concept of night and day, and as a general rule will want to
feed at least every three hours – including during the night.
Most newborns sleep for 16-20 hours a day, but it’s
impossible to predict when and for how long yours will.Don’t
worry though, this stage won’t last long, and you’ll be amazed
how quickly you get used to having less sleep.

Daytime naps are vital to your baby’s development, so at the
first sign your little one is tired, lay him in his Moses basket.
Not only will this help get him into a healthy napping routine,
but it will also give you the chance to catch up on your own
shut-eye.

share the load

If you’re bottlefeeding or expressing, there’s nothing to stop
Dad helping out with night feeds. He could stay up for the
midnight feed, allowing you to snooze for a good five or six
hours. If you’re lucky enough to have family nearby, ask them
for support, too.