Establishing a nighttime self-care routine as a new mom

March 19, 2021

Amanda Ellis, Senior Brand Communications Manager at NUK

As a mom of two young kiddos, I know how difficult it can be to find time for yourself – but taking a few moments a day for self-care is essential to our success as moms.

I became a first-time mom while working for NUK, almost four
years ago. It was such a cool experience, as I got to see the brand from a
completely new perspective. I only wish that we had developed the 3AM Club
then. As a company of parents, the 3AM Club is a hub we created to include
parenting advice and tools unique to NUK. Along with a few other things, this
hub has become a part of my self-care routine.

 With this week being
all about sleep awareness, I’m excited to share a few other tips and resources
that help me have a restful night:

1. Writing my thoughts down

By getting my thoughts out of my head and onto paper, it helps clear my mind,
which can make falling asleep much easier.

2. Focus on my breathing

If my mind is racing at 3am, there’s a good chance my heart rate has risen
above its sleeping rate of 60 beats or less per minute. By focusing on slowing my
breathing, I can slow my heart rate.

3. Listen to something relaxing
Try listening to peaceful music, a guided sleep meditation, or an audio bedtime story. Visit our website for some great resources.

A few more ideas that help me get back to sleep:

1. Put my phone away

It can be tempting to look at your phone if you’ve been staring at the ceiling
for some time, but blue light is a no-no when you’re trying to get back to
sleep. If I’m using my phone to listen to peaceful music or a sleep meditation,
I make sure to place the screen face down.

2. Keep my eyes off the clock

If I’m struggling to doze off, watching the minutes go by makes it so much
harder to fall asleep. It can even make me worry or make my mind race, which
means an even more delayed bedtime. If you have a clock in your bedroom, turn
it away from you—and don’t use your phone as a substitute!

3. Look on the bright side

Having a positive outlook on the situation can help us fall asleep because it
can prevent worrisome thoughts from entering our brains. Remember, we are
crushing it—we’re raising humans, and that is about as bright as it gets! Keep
those good feelings going by telling yourself that even though it’s 3am right
now, you still have time to get some sleep!

I love being a part of the NUK family and what we stand for.
I hope these tips and resources help make your nights with baby more restful,
and help you establish your self-care routine. Mom to mom...you got this!