Blog where midwives attend to the anxieties many moms and dads have about raising their children

#14
Mom and dad who are
sleep deprived due to childcare

Lack of sleep gradually takes a heavy toll on the body Take care of your health at an early stage

Lack of sleep gradually takes a heavy toll on the bodyTake care of your health at an early stage

For mothers and fathers, child-rearing is said to be a game of physical strength, and if the body and mind are not healthy, child-rearing can feel difficult. In particular, lack of sleep causes physical fatigue to accumulate, and this leads to feelings of tiredness during the daytime as well. Not only will you feel irritable and anxious over the slightest thing, but you may also experience symptoms such as poor concentration and forgetfulness. Although the amount of sleep required varies from person to person, generally speaking, 6 to 7 hours or more of sleep is necessary. If you notice that you are feeling tired or irritable lately, the first thing you should do is to create an environment that allows your body to rest.
During the child-rearing period, things do not always go as smoothly as they used to and you may feel conflicted about your baby-centered life. It is important not to try too hard to manage child-rearing on your own, but to consult with family members, share information with friends of mothers, and rely on support services provided by the local government.

Lack of sleep gradually takes a heavy toll on the body, especially after childbirth when it is difficult to get a good night's sleep, and this can lead to stress, exhaustion of mind and body, and even "postpartum depression.
When sleep deprivation occurs, the autonomic nervous system is disturbed, and symptoms of dysautonomia such as dizziness, headache, and nausea may be observed. If these symptoms are left untreated, they may progress to depression. It is necessary to take action at an early stage so that you can get enough sleep. Take care to manage your condition properly at an early stage.
Painful insomnia, such as not being able to sleep even though your body is tired, is one of the symptoms of postpartum depression. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your family doctor as soon as possible.
In addition, parenting tends to be stressful, with impatience at not being able to raise children the way they want to. Childcare neurosis, which makes parenting feel difficult, is greatly affected by lack of sleep. Lack of sleep not only increases irritability, yelling, and crying over trivial things, but also prolongs symptoms such as overeating and anorexia, which can lead to physical problems.

When you're tired, you need to rest your body properly In a few years, the days of hard work and lack of sleep will be pleasant memories

When you're tired, you need to rest your body properlyIn a few years, the days of hard work and lack of sleep will be pleasant memories

So how can you eliminate sleep deprivation while raising your child? Consider your own rhythm and take measures to remember to give your body a proper rest on a daily basis.
Let's start by trying to sleep with the baby as much as possible when he or she is asleep. It is important to give your body a proper rest when you are tired, without thinking that you should finish the remaining chores because the baby is finally sleeping. Don't compare yourself with others around you, but rather, do child-rearing and housework at your own rhythm within the limits of what you are able to do.
However, it is difficult to get a good night's sleep when you are living a life that accommodates a baby who sleeps day and night. However, one thing you can do is to review your lifestyle to the extent possible so that you can get a good night's sleep and feel as tired as possible.
First,


  • Not looking at your phone or computer before bed
  • Moderate exercise such as walking and stretching
  • Eat three nutritionally balanced meals a day
  • Sleep environment

Let's try to start with the basics, such as

Interrupted sleep makes it difficult to feel tired, even if the total amount of sleep is long, and if this continues, fatigue and helplessness can increase and cause you to feel ill. On weekend nights, leave the baby in the care of a father or grandmother, and make a day when you can get sufficient sleep of at least 6 to 7 hours in total. By doing so, you will be able to refresh your mind and body.

Some local governments provide temporary housekeeping and childcare services as childcare support. Rely on the support of those around you and try to improve your sleep deprivation as much as possible.

Now and then, there are so many families who have trouble sleeping well while raising their children, and many mothers and fathers are exhausted both physically and mentally. During the child-rearing period of infants and toddlers, life is adapted to the baby's sleep cycle, and it is difficult to eliminate sleep deprivation.
However, you can help your body rest a little by taking daily little precautions such as napping with your baby and taking measures to get a good night's sleep. Don't be shy about relying on the support of those around you, and you will be able to get through the period of child-rearing when you tend to sleep less.
In a few years, the day will soon come when the days of hard work and lack of sleep will turn into pleasant memories.

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Updated on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month

Next time... Thursday, June 13, 2024 Update
Enjoy!

Yoko Nanbu, Midwife
The speaker is

Midwife Yoko Nambu

After graduating from Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Nursing and obtaining a national nursing license, and graduating from the Japanese Red Cross School of Midwifery and obtaining a national midwifery license, she worked as a midwife in the obstetrics and gynecology ward of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, attending over 300 births and picking up babies. After that, she established "Toraube Inc.", a consultation office mainly for women's body. As a woman's ally, she provides consultation for problems at all ages. She believes that women should understand their own body as their own. She believes that this will lead to the solution of all problems and deals with them on a daily basis.
Her hobbies include traveling with her husband, listening to movies and music, and playing healthy mahjong.

What I want you to know from my experience
supporting many mothers as a midwife.

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