Have you ever heard the saying, in order to gain something, you have to give up something? In most cases it's true, even when your gain is a new bundle of joy. With a new baby comes a wave of emotions; excitement, anxiety, love, adoration, and exhaustion. New parents often sacrifice much needed sleep in order to tend to their little one and keep up the routine schedule prior to baby. While this is a great plan, it's not altogether feasible or healthy, at least in the beginning.

In most new families today, the mom stays home for the first few weeks after the baby is born, unless they are fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom. However, since the implementation of the family leave act, it has become more common for dads to stay home and care for the baby. In some situations, the dad becomes a stay-at-home dad. This article particularly addresses "moms" getting more sleep, but know that it's not intentionally dismissing dads. It is merely keeping with the tradition of moms caring for their infants.

New Moms Have Hectic Schedules
A new baby can sleep anywhere for an hour to three hours at a time throughout the day. This means feeding, changing and playing every hour or so, which is a pretty hectic schedule for a new mom and dad. This schedule alone can leave a new mom weary and exhausted, not to mention that most new moms feel that while the baby is asleep they must catch up on housework, yard work, laundry, bill paying, etc.

Please know that there will be plenty of time to play supermom and superdad, as most babies begin sleeping through the night by the time they're six months old. Until then, new moms can use the following tips to help get that much needed sleep.

Ideas to Help Moms Get More Sleep
As soon as you bring your little prince or princess home, have a bassinet or crib for them to sleep in. Neither babies nor parents get adequate sleep when they sleep together. It's also extremely dangerous for babies to sleep in the bed with their parents due to the risk of suffocation. In addition, babies who sleep with their parents lack the skill of falling asleep on their own. If you feel nervous about putting your baby in a crib or bassinet, be assured that both you and your baby will sleep better in your own beds. Also, a baby monitor is a great tool that should put you at ease.

New moms can get more sleep if they learn to sleep when the baby sleeps. It may seem difficult to let the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and housework go. But once the little prince or princess begins sleeping through the night, you'll be back to business as usual. Many new moms tell themselves that they will catch up later (on their sleep). But this rarely, if ever, happens. Do yourself, your family and your baby a favor, let the chores go. Sleep when the baby sleeps.

Consistency Helps
You would be surprised to know that new moms can get more sleep simply by starting a consistent bedtime routine. There's no comparison between your pet and your baby, but for a moment consider how your pet behaves when it hears you open the package for its favorite treat. It's a learned behavior based on repetition. The same holds true with a bedtime routine for your baby. Establish a bedtime routine that may start with a bath, a book, song, or soft music.

Nighttime feedings should be calm and quiet. Resist the urge to play and talk during nighttime feedings. If possible, use nightlights or low lights instead of whole room lighting. Limiting noise and lighting reduces stimulation that may keep your baby awake for longer than a feeding or diaper change. Just like nighttime is quiet time, take advantage of daytime for playtime. Utilize daytime to play, talk and stimulate your baby.

Patience Pays
New moms tend to rush to the baby every time it cries at night. While it won't help you get more sleep in the beginning, it will help you sleep in the long run if the new mom will wait a few minutes before going in to check on the baby. Many times, babies may cry out in the night when they are dreaming and simply require a minute or two to go back to sleep on their own.