A good night's sleep-what it is and why you shouldn't feel guilty as a parent.

What is 'A Good Night's Sleep'?

Don’t feel guilty about wanting a good night's sleep.

Sleep experts at the National Sleep Foundation suggest three main rules which are the basis to developing a lifetime of good sleeping habits;

1) to establish a regular and relaxing bedtime routine in preparation for bedtime

2) to establish a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, cool and comfortable

3) to establish a regular sleeping and waking pattern, usually based around day and night

Sleep experts recommend that the average adult needs between seven and nine hours of good quality sleep a night; some need more, some need less.  Quality of sleep is defined as continuous and uninterrupted!

Quantity and quality of sleep plays an enormous part in our ability to function on a daily basis, and not getting enough can affect our performance at work and at home, in our relationships and in our physical and mental health. 

Sleep experts also tell us that there are many factors that affect our ability to sleep, and we have a certain amount of control over many of them; for example, avoid caffeine and/or alcohol, eat healthily and exercise regularly, take time to relax before bed, and get an early night.

However, there are some factors over which we have no control, at least in the beginning…

...Babies, Parents' and Broken Nights

Without a doubt, your newborn baby needs you.  

A newborn baby has no awareness of day or night, and their needs in these early days do not follow the same pattern as yours.  They are not to know that when they are hungry, need changing or simply want a cuddle that you may be catching up on some much-needed sleep after a busy day.

But parents' shouldn't feel guilty about wanting a good night's sleep.  As adults our lives function around day and night, work and sleep. We run busy households, and we lead busy lives.  It goes without saying that we need to refuel on rest!

Your children will learn their sleeping habits from you, so encourage healthy sleep routines early and establish a good sleep foundation on which your children can build happy, healthy lives from birth to adulthood.