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Sleep deprivation: it's the one thing that can take the wind out of your sails after having a new baby. The ecstasy, joy, and overwhelming love can be overshadowed by exhaustion, confusion, and disturbing thoughts. There are ways to make the transition from your former sleep filled nights to the agony of deprivation much easier. It takes effort but it's well worth it.

Do what you are comfortable with. There are endless theories and suggestions out there from Ferber to Sears, from your mother-in-law to your next door neighbor. Read everything you can get your hands on and listen to the "experts". Then take all that knowledge that you have gathered and use what works for you. If you want your child to have his own room than please do so. If you love the thought of co-sleeping, then by all means, enjoy the snuggling. Just know that there are pros and cons with each and all situations so just go with your gut. No one knows your parenting style or needs better than you. You are your best expert. Trust your instincts.

Prepare your body physically for the stress of sleep deprivation. Good nutrition and exercise will help you survive the ordeal. Do whatever your physician recommends is the right program for your body. Adjust your bedtime. You may have once been a night owl, but learn to take cues from your baby. You may want to go to bed an hour or two after him, even if it's only a temporary solution. Keep your room dark, a cool comfortable temperature, and use white noise like a fan if you need to. Limit your liquid consumption before bed. Many times when you are settling the baby in the night you are still sleepy enough to go back to sleep yourself. However if you flick on lights, use the restroom, or start talking, you wake your body to such a state that you will then have difficulty going back to sleep.

Try to eliminate as many mental distractions as possible. Give yourself some time during the early evening to relax in a warm shower, clear your mind of any worrisome things. Sometimes a mind numbing activity, like solitaire or even vacuuming before bed helps you from thinking about the things that keep your mind from obsessing all night.

Look towards the future. Just knowing that babies sleep patterns will change with time can give any parent hope. Sometimes all it takes is a month and with other babies it can take years. The lack of sleep from midnight feedings, diaper changes, and evening babbling sessions will get easier. There will be occasional grade school nightmares, bed wetting, or illnesses but it won't be a constant. There will be teenage broken curfews, flat tires, and late shift jobs but again, at least tell yourself it won't be every night. Don't plan a time line as a goal as to when you are going to get sleep again, just enjoy the surprise when the day (or night in this case) actually comes!

Learn more about this author, Veronica Turner.
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