10 Tips To Get Sleep as a New Mom of Twins
I’ve already recapped my top tips to get your twins to sleep – now it’s time for the top 10 tips to get sleep as a new mom of twins yourself! If you haven’t caught on yet, twin parenthood can be incredibly hard work. Twin parenting on practically no sleep? I cringe, remembering those exhausting first few months.
Nobody can truly understand what it’s like to be a twin parent, other than those who have experienced it. It’s a full time, 24-hour a day job, with no end. There are few thank yous, days off, or blue ribbons. You give all of yourself until you have nothing left, then you give a little more.
I don’t say this to scare you – there are tons of amazing parts too. I say it for you to realize that if you expect to show up every day already depleted by sleep deprivation, you’re on a fast track to the danger zone.
You must prioritize SLEEP. You MUST prioritize sleep. And YOU must prioritize sleep.
Sleep is more important than Netflix. It’s more important than the two hours of silence you get to yourself at the end of the day. It’s more important than the dust bunny army growing under your couch, or the mounds of laundry, or the pile of dishes rivaling the leaning tower of Pisa in your sink.
When you have had little people clinging to you all day long, I know how desperately you want some alone time at the end of a day. But believe me – the difference between going to bed at 10pm vs. 11:30? It’s the difference between feeling like you can take on the world, or feeling like the world is crushing you.
Despite having written all of this, I still have to remind myself every day to go to bed. There are some evenings where I get caught up in blogging, or a show and a yummy snack, or even just precious silence, that I don’t want it to end.
But when I can drag my butt to bed? I’m a way better mom, partner, and human when I do. That’s why this list of top 10 tips to get sleep as a new mom of twins is a list to help you get your sleepy butt to bed.
1 – KEEP A PILE OF BOOKS IN YOUR BEDROOM
2 – BUBBLE BATHS
3 – BRUSH YOUR TEETH
4 – PUT ON YOUR JAMMIES
5 – KEEP A YUMMY SNACK AT YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE
6 – SIGN YOUR PARTNER UP FOR MASSAGE DUTY
7 – BRING YOUR LAPTOP TO BED
8 – SET A BEDTIME ALARM
9 – DON’T RETURN TO THE LIVING ROOM
10 – AVOID STIMULANTS PAST 3PM
1 – KEEP A PILE OF BOOKS IN YOUR BEDROOM
I’ve found that when I’m in the throws of a good book, I’m way more eager to go to bed (even if I only have energy to read for 10min).
Find books that really intrigue you and keep them on your nightstand. Novels, self-help, memoirs, comics – whatever gives you joy. Leave them on your nightstand and picture cuddling up with a comfy duvet wrapped around you. Mmmm self care.
2 – BUBBLE BATHS
Need I say more? Light a candle, play some soft music, even have a glass of wine in the tub if you like.
After your bath, I’m willing to bet it will be easier to go to bed than if you got caught in a Netflix binge you’ll regret in the morning.
3 – BRUSH YOUR TEETH
This is such a simple trick that actually works. Tell yourself you’re not going to bed – you’re just going to brush your teeth and wash your face. Often this will get you into the habit of getting ready for bed, and once you’re there…zzzz….
4 – PUT ON YOUR JAMMIES
Next up on the 10 tips to get sleep as a new mom of twins is to head to your bedroom and throw on some delicious jammies.
You deserve to be comfy, mama. Often times the association of putting on your PJs prompts you to the next stage of bedtime prep…and from there….zzz.
5 – KEEP A YUMMY SNACK AT YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE
It can even be a daily multivitamin gummy (keep out of reach of kiddos) or a square of fine dark chocolate. Just something to lure you to your sweet, comfortable bed.
I normally don’t advocate snacks outside of the kitchen, but if you’re struggling to sleep and it helps you to crawl into your bed? Try it out.
6 – SIGN YOUR PARTNER UP FOR MASSAGE DUTY
You definitely deserve this one! Swap massages and get comfy.
This can be one of the best of the 10 tips to get sleep as a new mom of twins. Enough said.
7 – BRING YOUR LAPTOP TO BED
While I don’t advocate screens in the bedroom, these are special circumstances. You’re a new mom of twins and tricks to help you get to bed early are needed.
If you’re going to watch a show or get some work done, it can be way easier to close a laptop screen than to pull yourself from the couch and walk all the way to your bedroom. Yes, even if your bedroom is 10 feet away. Try this tip once a week and see if it works for you.
8 – SET A BEDTIME ALARM
Sometimes, you just need a reminder to get up and head to bed. As your twins are probably your new wake up alarm, consider instead setting a bedtime alarm. At the very least, use it to go brush your teeth and per the tip above, maybe that will lead to more.
Also, you can set your devices to a warmer and/or darker tone at least 30 minutes before your ideal bedtime. This will help set the stage for sleep.
9 – DON’T RETURN TO THE LIVING ROOM
After putting your twins down, refrain from heading back to the living room. Just entering the room offers too many distractions.
Instead, go directly to your bedroom, and find something enjoyable to do in there. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
10 – AVOID STIMULANTS PAST 3PM.
Stimulants can come in the form of coffee, chocolate, tea, or they can even be something sneaky, like working out. Aim for the last five hours of your day to be a precious time, which progressively get darker, calmer, and more like nighttime as you go.
You’ve got this, mama
There you have it! My 10 tips to get sleep as a new mom of twins. Remember, your main goal is to find a way to reframe your bedroom and turn it into a sanctuary, a special, nurturing place that gives you joy.
Have it become a place you enjoy retreating to. It’s your precious space away from distractions, away from screaming babies, and away from people demanding your time. It’s your zone to recharge and refuel your tanks.
Treasure it and have it be a place you look forward to entering each evening for some you time.
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