One of the biggest things that has helped me with both feeding and sleeping is tracking everything. I exclusively breastfeed, and keeping track of my baby’s feeds has been a game changer. Being able to see how long he nursed on each side and which side he last fed on takes so much pressure off trying to remember, especially as a new mom running on very little sleep. As a mama of a 12 week old, I can honestly say that it’s hard to rely on memory alone, so using an app to log feeds has been incredibly helpful. For example, if my baby seems hungry again shortly after eating, I can look back and realize, “Oh, that makes sense; he only nursed for six minutes last time.” This kind of clarity has really helped me respond to his needs with more confidence.
This has also made a big difference in his sleep. Since I’m more aware of his feeding patterns, I can make sure he’s getting full feeds, which helps keep him more settled and less fussy. Another thing that has helped me a lot is resting when he rests. Napping when he naps isn’t always easy, but when I can do it, it makes a huge difference in how I feel. Now that I’ve transitioned back to work, having some form of routine has been the most helpful, I still track everything which helps me recognize when he’s getting tired so I can work toward a semi consistent bedtime routine. I say “semi-consistent” because, let’s be real; life happens, right? But having that general rhythm has made everything feel a little more manageable.
