Sleep Deprivation for Parent’s

Sleep deprivation causes innumerable problems to parents and baby alike and takes from what should otherwise be a special time for a family.

Sleep deprivation is a well-known risk to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

When you are sleep deprived, you’re not going to react as quickly as you normally would, making driving or other potentially dangerous activities.

Your ability to think clearly is also dampened by lack of sleep, which means you will have trouble retaining memories, processing information, and making decision.

As your reaction time and cognition slows, your emotions will be kicked into high gear.

But much more than that, sleep deprivation has virtually the same effect on your immune system as physical stress or illness, which may help explain why lack of sleep is tied to an increased risk of numerous chronic diseases.

Just one night of interrupted sleep is all it takes to make you feel more depressed, fatigued, and confused.

Turn Off Your Gadgets

If you’re a new parent being woken by a newborn, there’s obviously little you can do, aside from teaming up your spouse or another family member so you can each have alternating nights of uninterrupted sleep.

Avoid using computer, tablet, cellphone, or television in the evening

Exposure to even a small amounts of light from television, your computer, tablet, or smartphone can interfere with your body’s production.

Sleep in Complete Darkness

Even the tiniest glow from your clock radio could be interfering with your sleep, so cover your clock radio up at night or get rid of it altogether. Move all electrical devices at least three feet away from your bed. You may want to cover your windows with drapes or blackout shades, or wear an eye mask when you sleep.

Keep the temperature in your bedroom

Many people keep their homes too warm (particularly their upstairs bedrooms). Studies show that the optimal room temperature for sleep is between 60 to 68 degrees F.