This is a sponsored guest post.
You find out you’re expecting and immediately start reading up on prenatal supplements and the dangers of sushi during pregnancy; you do everything you can to make sure your baby arrives healthy and happy.
But what about after baby makes their grand entrance? While you probably already know the basics (wash your hands, stay active, eat your veggies, get your flu shot, etc.) you might not be aware of one of the most effective ways to keep your family healthy year-round: get enough sleep.
You know the drill: adults need a solid 8 hours a night and your baby needs about double that, depending on their age. But you also know the reality: your to-do list is a mile long, your baby is fighting their afternoon nap, and your toddler is passionately protesting bedtime. You try your best, but some days it’s virtually impossible to get everyone sleeping as they should.
Why sleep is important for your baby
In the womb, your baby spent 95% of their time sleeping. And as a newborn, they’ll spend more time asleep than awake. While they sleep their bodies and minds are rapidly developing – they seem to grow a little bit bigger every day, their brains are filling with new information, and their personalities start to shine.
Getting enough sleep helps your baby:
- Reach the proper growth milestones
- Strengthen their immune system
- Keep their cognitive development on track
- Stay on a manageable eat-sleep-play schedule
- Smile more and fuss less
Why sleep is important for you
Ask any parent and they’ll tell you raising a child is a full-time job. And it’s possible you have another full-time job on top of that and a whole myriad of other activities to balance throughout the day. If you carved out 8 hours of your day to sleep…when would it all get done?
On the flip side, it’s nearly impossible to get everything checked off your to-do list running on little to no sleep – but there’s even greater benefits to a good night’s rest.
Getting enough sleep will:
- Strengthen your immune system
- Boost your life expectancy
- Decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes, & more
- Reduces your chances of postpartum depression as a new mom
- Stay energized throughout the day
- Improve your mood
Keeping yourself healthy will not only help keep the rest of your family healthy but can also literally help you live longer. Sounds pretty important, right?
How you can get sweeter sleep
Families who sleep better, wake up happier and healthier – it’s a fact. So how can you help you and your family get the rest they need?
- Try making some subtle changes to your baby’s sleep ambiance
- Make sure you’re incorporating a soothing bedtime routine
- Get your nap schedule down to a science
Also, consider some new PJs. That’s right, pajamas. But not ordinary pajamas – try ones specifically designed to help your baby sleep better and longer (which means you will too).
The Zen Footie™ and Zen Bodysuit are lightly weighted to mimic your gentle touch – so whether your putting your little one down to check off some to-do’s or try to get some sleep yourself, they’ll still feel the soothing pressure of your touch on their chest.
It’s easy for moms to overlook their own health and wellbeing once there’s a newborn in the house but the reality is, the best way to keep your baby healthy is to keep your entire family healthy – which means you need to take care of you too, mama! Get more sleep tips for your family on the Zen Blog.
