Sleep is an essential part of health, helping with rest and recovery,” says Sivani Allure, MD, a specialist in comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology at Endeavor Health in Naperville, Illinois. “Our bodies perform a lot of housekeeping tasks while we are sleeping.” Not getting enough sleep can cause long-term health issues and increase your risk of chronic diseases. It also slows your reaction time and can even be a safety concern, she says. Despite how hard it is to catch some z’s with a newborn, don’t give up. Your body needs restorative sleep, even if it’s just for a few hours at a time. Studies show that combining four to five hours of uninterrupted sleep with shorter naps is beneficial for new moms at risk of postpartum depression (PPD). Sleep is important for everyone, but as a new mom, it’s vital as you face the demands of caring for a newborn, says Jenny Yang Mei, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Stanford Health Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic in Palo Alto, California. But, she says, it’s really hard to get. New moms often hear the advice to sleep when the baby sleeps, but it’s not really helpful, because it’s easier said than done. “Our bodies don’t really work like that,” says Dr. Mei. “We can’t sleep on demand.” Healing “Sleep is especially important for your body as it recovers,” says Mei. Your body repairs tissue and builds muscle during sleep. Your uterus, pelvic floor muscles, and perineal tears all heal best when your body is relaxed and resting, she says. Bonding When you are well rested, you have more patience and can be more in tune with your baby’s needs. You also have the energy to hold and cuddle your baby. Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can make you easily stressed and irritable, making it harder to connect emotionally with your child. Create an ideal sleeping environment. “Keep the bedroom cool and dark with blackout curtains,” says Aluru. Earplugs, eyeshades, and white noise machines can also help if you’re trying to rest during daytime hours. Limit stimulants, such as caffeine and screen time. And, if possible, have your partner or a family member keep an ear out for the baby monitor, so you can totally relax and sink into deep sleep
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