Sleeping comfortably is a luxury that new parents often miss. The arrival of a newborn, while exciting, comes with the challenge of erratic sleep schedules and numerous midnight awakenings. However, believe it or not, the right bed can make a significant difference. In this article, explore ways to optimise sleep with a newborn and discuss how to safely share a bed with your baby.
Understanding the sleep patterns of a newborn
- Newborn sleep phases and their significance
Newborns have unique sleep patterns that are crucial to their growth and development. They spend approximately 50% of their sleep time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is vital for brain development. Non-REM sleep, the deep and restful sleep phase, accounts for the remaining time and is equally essential for physical growth and recovery.
- Tips to sync parent’s sleep with baby’s sleep cycle
Aligning your sleep with your newborn’s can help maximise your rest periods. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sleep 16-17 hours like a newborn, but try to take short naps when your baby sleeps. In the early months, maintaining a quiet, dimly lit environment during nighttime feedings can help your baby distinguish between day and night, gradually leading to longer night sleep stretches.
The role of a comfortable bed
- Benefits of a good quality bed for parents
The role of a comfortable, high-quality bed in achieving sound, restful sleep is often underestimated. As a sanctuary after long, exhausting days of new parenting duties, a good bed does more than provide a place to lie down. It actively contributes to the quality of your sleep by supporting spinal alignment, reducing pressure points, and promoting ideal sleep postures.
Uninterrupted sleep is critical, especially for new parents, as it can positively affect mood, cognitive function, and energy levels. Furthermore, a comfortable bed can also help alleviate postpartum discomfort, particularly for mothers who have had a caesarean section. The right bed can even facilitate easier nighttime feedings, given that a well-rested parent can respond more efficiently to a newborn’s needs.
- Considerations for selecting the right bed
While personal comfort is subjective and dependent on individual preferences, there are universally important factors to consider when selecting a bed. First, the size of the bed matters, especially when bed-sharing. A larger bed, like a king or super king size, provides ample space for parents and the newborn, reducing the risk of accidental disturbances and promoting safe, comfortable co-sleeping.
The firmness level of the bed is also an essential factor to consider. It should be supportive enough to maintain good spinal alignment for both parents and baby, but not too hard that it causes discomfort. Medium firmness is generally recommended as it offers an optimal balance between comfort and support. Many bed and mattress specialists offer a multitude of firmness types to choose from, ensuring you choose the right one for your family.
The material of the bed also plays a part in sleep quality. Opt for breathable, hypoallergenic materials to keep the sleeping environment clean, healthy, and conducive for a newborn. As a rule of thumb, ensure the bed complies with the latest safety standards. After all, a bed is more than a piece of furniture—it’s the place where you and your newborn will share countless sleep-filled nights, fostering growth, recovery, and memorable moments of early parenthood.
Choosing the best bed for bed sharing
- Recommended bed types for bed sharing
If you plan to occasionally bed share with your baby, then ensuring you carry this out safely is key. The Lullaby Trust offers some great tips and advice for new and expecting parents on this matter so that families can enjoy bedtime stress-free. Certain bed types are more suitable for bed sharing. For instance, co-sleeper beds, which attach to the side of the parent’s bed, provide the benefits of co-sleeping while giving the baby a separate space. Larger-sized beds, like king or super king sizes, can also be a good choice as they provide ample space for both parents and baby.
- What to look for in a mattress for bed sharing
When choosing a mattress for bed sharing, look for one that’s firm to prevent the baby from sinking into it. The mattress should also be breathable to regulate the baby’s temperature effectively. It should fit the bed frame perfectly to eliminate gaps that the baby could slip into. And of course, consider a larger-sized mattress to ensure enough space for everyone.
