Parenting is a beautiful and rewarding journey that brings boundless joy and fulfillment to both children and adults. However, amidst the evergreen love and happiness, one of the most formidable challenges parents face is getting enough sleep, and on a regular basis. Life can become extremely stressful – it’s no secret, and sleep deprivation is an all too common aspect that comes with being a parent. Sleep challenges can have a significant impact on physical, mental, and emotional health.
Sleep Challenges & Remedies
A Newborn Baby
Despite being filled with awe and delight, the early days of having a newborn come with intense sleep challenges. Because newborn babies have irregular sleep patterns and need to be fed every few hours, it leads to parents having interrupted slumber on a regular basis. As they grow, they may have difficulty distinguishing between day and night, adding to the sleep struggle for adults – this can last for quite a while.
Sleep Regression
Just when you think you’ve gotten the hang of your baby’s sleep routine, sleep regression can strike. Sleep regression refers to periods when a previously good sleeper suddenly starts waking more frequently at night – something a lot of people tend to experience at one point or another. These regressions in little ones often coincide with developmental milestones or life changes, such as teething or transitioning to a new sleeping arrangement.
Nighttime Feeding & Comforting
For parents who breastfeed or bottle-feed, nighttime feedings are a necessity, but they can be exhausting. Moreover, some children may need extra comfort and soothing during the night, making it challenging for parents to get continuous rest.
Trouble with Toddlers
As children grow older, they may resist going to bed or experience separation anxiety, leading to reoccurring bedtime trouble – more so with toddlers who start to gain a little more personality and a mind of their own. This can be a source of frustration for parents who just want their child to get a good night’s sleep, as well as themselves.
Balancing Work & Parenting
A lot of parents generally struggle to find a proper balance between working commitments and their parenting responsibilities. This can look like late-night work hours or early morning meetings, demanding schedules and heavy deadlines; these responsibilities can chew into valuable sleeping time, leaving parents feeling exhausted and struggling to juggle parenting.
Eradicating Sleep Guilt
Parents may feel guilty about taking time for themselves or prioritising their sleep needs over their children’s. This guilt can create added stress, impacting their ability to rest peacefully. Sleep challenges are an inevitable part of parenting, but they need not be an insurmountable obstacle.
To Ensure You & Your Child/Children Get Enough Rest
Addressing sleep challenges as a parent requires a multi-faceted approach:
Communication & Support
Talk to your partner or support network about sharing nighttime duties, enabling both parents to get some rest whilst taking care of the home so it’s never neglected. Sharing responsibilities allows for your minds to disconnect every so often and gives each parent or parental figure some time to bond with the children.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Create a consistent and soothing bedtime routine for yourself and your child, which can help signal when it’s time to wind down and sleep. This also assists with their daily body clock, as they get to a point in the evening when they know it’s time to switch the brain off.
Seek Professional Help
If sleep challenges persist or become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to consult a pediatrician or sleep specialist for guidance. Sometimes we often feel like there is no remedy for sleep – but there is, and there’s no shame in engaging someone to assist.
Try Leading Sleep Systems
Another way to benefit your own sleep, and your child’s sleep, is by investing in quality sleeping systems. At Wenatex, we offer a number of specially designed sleep systems to assist in getting your sleeping patterns back up to scratch. Whether for yourself or for your child, our range of products such as our SleepHub or our orthopaedic beds are a great solution for encouraging healthy and quality sleep.
Self-Care Matters
Prioritise your well-being, as taking care of yourself ultimately benefits your ability to care for your child. As much as we want to put our children at the forefront, we won’t be able to offer them quality care if we aren’t feeling our best as well.
Embrace Flexibility
This may feel easier said than done when parenting is filled with ups and downs. Embrace the flexibility to adapt to your child’s changing sleep patterns and continue to work with them to find out what assists in their sleep routines.
Sleep Better with Wenatex
Ready to try a new sleep remedy for you or your child? Visit the Wenatex shop now to find the most suitable product to assist with your sleep challenges, or email us directly at enquiries@wenatex.com.au and we’ll send you some options that we believe may help. For more information or general queries, give us a call on 1300 858 139 today!
