Let’s take a quick look at the benefits of sleep training for working parents:
Good sleep helps productivity
We all know that someone tired and sleepy will most likely be unproductive at work. When you’re perpetually low on energy, your work will inevitably suffer. You might miss a deadline or fall behind on your work tasks. Getting good quality sleep through sleep training your baby helps you stay productive and at the top of your game at work.
Good sleep affects mental health
Mental health is directly connected to good quality sleep. For proof, look no further than your child. A sleepy baby is a cranky baby. This applies to adults as well. If you go to a therapist or psychologist for any mental or wellbeing issues, one of the first things they’ll ask you is how your sleeping habits are. Sleep training your baby can help working parents manage their mental health.
Good sleep benefits physical health and well-being
Working parents need to be as physically healthy as possible to balance their parenting and work responsibilities effectively. Studies show that less than five hours of sleep increases the chances of getting into a car accident and other work-related accidents. Sleep training can increase the much-needed hours of sleep that working parents need.
Now that we know the benefits, let’s take a look at some sleep training tips that working parents can turn to when it’s time to start sleep training:
Plan your sleep training strategy
Sleep training takes time and effort. The first two to three days of sleep training are always the hardest. For working parents, it’s critical to look ahead and think of your work schedule to decide when to start sleep training. If you have work leaves available, take a few days off near the weekend to start the sleep training process. If you don’t have leaves available, start sleep training during a long-day weekend.
Avoid starting sleep training when you have a deadline approaching or if you’re in the middle of a high-stress project. You’ll be extra tired, and you might just be adding stress to your life instead of lessening it. When a family trip or medical procedure is coming up, it’s best to wait until things are settled and you can predict your schedule better.
Schedule your own naps and rest periods
Working parents will still need to work even during sleep training. Schedule your own naps and rest periods to keep your energy up during this time. For example, instead of working during lunch, take a power nap at your desk or in your car. This will work wonders for keeping you as alert and feeling as “normal” as possible.
Plan your meals and snacks ahead
In the middle of sleep training, you might be getting very tired yourself (this is part of the process). This is when you usually reach for something quick and unhealthy, like junk food. Plan so you can grab power snacks like almonds, fresh fruit, or a hard-boiled egg. Try to avoid caffeine in the afternoons to ensure that you can fall asleep yourself after your baby goes down.
Parents who work outside the home will most likely find sleep training more challenging, but we guarantee it’s worth it. Good quality sleep allows you to perform your best at home and at work, resulting in a happy and healthy environment for you and your family.