How To Get A Good Night Sleep As A Busy Mum

When you’re a mum, you have plenty of responsibilities in your hands. Especially if you’re a working mum with toddlers and kids to take care of, there won’t be enough time for you to look after yourself.

As a mum with young children, the first thing that you usually have to sacrifice is your sleep. In fact, it’s almost impossible to get sleep at all if you still have an infant that is under 12 months old. A mother’s tasks seem to be endless, and a whole day is not even enough to get everything done—even getting enough sleep.

You may have heard of the saying “sleep when the baby sleeps.” However, that may not always be the case for working mums who also have to work in between child care. Plus, there are also household chores to finish first.

But just like your babies, you also need to get enough sleep. Frequent sleep deprivation will soon take a toll on you. Lack of sleep can cause fatigue, mood swings, and even health problems. Your body needs sleep, so it’ll have time to rejuvenate and recharge itself for the next day. This may sound impossible at first, but there are some things you can do to help you get the good night’s sleep you deserve.

Here are some tips for mums to get a good night’s sleep despite a busy schedule.

Establish a Routine for You and the Kids

Whenever you’re creating a routine or schedule, make sure to let your kids participate in it. Let them know when is their ideal bedtime. The ideal sleep time for kids and babies is 8:00 pm, or earlier if they get an early dinner.

Then, keep them active during the day so they will get tired and sleep early at night. That way, you will have more time for yourself during the night. You’ll have time to prepare food or other things for the next day, and eventually, get the good night sleep you deserve.

While your kids are busy playing during the day, make use of that time for your job (if you work from home) or household chores. Give them an activity to keep them busy, like outdoor games, or teach them to do simple chores so they can also start helping you out around the house. The earlier they can help you with your household responsibilities, the earlier you can finish your tasks and have more time for sleeping.

Make Your Bedroom Comfortable

Finally, you’ve made it to your bed after a long and tiring day. However, you still find yourself tossing and turning. That may have something to do with your sleeping environment. It’s tough to sleep if your mattress is too hard and uncomfortable for your back.

There are plenty of mattress choices from Best Mattress Australia where you can choose according to the type of sleeper you are. A quality bed is necessary to make sure you get quality sleep that your body needs every night.

Aside from that, you must also consider your room’s lighting. Ensure your bedroom lights are dim to help it signal your brain that it’s time to go to sleep. The same goes for your kids and babies. If you want them to sleep soundly right away at night, make sure their bedroom is cosy and comfortable enough to encourage a long and good sleep.

Avoid Long Daytime Naps

As mentioned earlier, there is this famous advice that says, sleep when your children sleep. In other words, when your children are taking a nap, you must take a nap too. However, having long daytime naps can actually disrupt your sleep in the evening.

With that said, you must limit the naps you take during the day. The longest preferable time for a good nap is 30 minutes. More than that, and you may find yourself wide awake and groggy at night. So, when your kids are taking a nap during the day or afternoon, it’s best to utilize that time to finish your tasks and chores.

Spend Time With Your Children Outdoors

Spending some time outdoors can help keep your circadian rhythm in order. Your circadian rhythm is the one that tells your brain whether it’s daytime or it’s night-time. This controls your body’s sleep-wake cycle.

The sunlight will signal your brain that it’s daytime. That way, by the time it’s dark, your brain will automatically release hormones called melatonin to signal your body that it’s time for sleep. So, it’s always a good idea to spend time with your kids under the sun. Not only will it help all of you sleep better at night, but it’s also a great way to bond, play, and spend quality time with your kids.

Avoid Habits That Can Affect Your Sleep Cycle

Certain habits can affect your sleep cycle. That includes caffeine intake, watching television, and gadget use. Staring at screens late at night would only keep you wide awake. The light coming from the screens will trick your brain into thinking that it’s still daytime, hence making it more difficult for you to sleep right away.

Furthermore, you must limit your caffeine intake during the day—most especially when it’s close to bedtime. Most mums depend on coffee to boost energy throughout the day, but it is not advisable to drink coffee at night or in the late afternoon since the caffeine will keep your body alert for several hours until late at night.

If you really want to get a hot cup of drink at night, it’s best to choose herbal tea that can help you relax. After tucking your kids to sleep, make yourself some hot tea, or take a nice, warm bath to help you ease all that tension.

Wrapping Up

While these tips are achievable, most of them may require adjustments at first. Nonetheless, don’t feel guilty for wanting to get a good night’s sleep. After all the responsibilities you do, you deserve a quality night’s sleep. Always remember that one of the best things you can give to your children is a well-rested and healthy mother who can take care of them in the proper way.