It's common to feel very tired, even exhausted during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional. Make sure you get plenty of rest.
Keeping baby safe while sleeping
During pregnancy is a great time to find out more about keeping your baby safe when they sleep. The Lullaby Trust has some fantastic videos to give you peace of mind. BASIS is also full of helpful information on normal sleep development and sleep safety. You can download the Infant Sleep Info app with the same great information delivered in smaller chunks.
As a new parent it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the huge range of baby products to choose from to help them sleep. When your baby arrives you'll need:
- a cot or a Moses basket
- sleeping bag or sheets and a blanket
- room thermometer.
It is advised that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months for day and night-time sleeps. This helps you judge the temperature of the room, reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and help you respond to your baby's cues before they wake up fully and then take longer to settle back down to sleep.
Our Health Visiting Team has shared a narrated presentation for parents on safer sleeping.
A good baby is a perception held by our society that babies should act in a certain way. Some baby care books take advantage of this by suggesting parents should encourage babies to be in a strict routine for their feeding and sleep. This latest animation by Dr Amy Brown encourages new parents to put the books down and instead be more responsive to their baby's needs.
Useful resources
- NHS.uk has advice on tiredness and sleep problems during pregnancy.
- The Lullaby Trust has some fantastic videos to give you peace of mind.
- BASIS is also full of helpful information on normal sleep development and sleep safety.