01of 08AVOID CAFFEINETony Metaxas/GettyThis may be obvious, but it’s also a hard thing to do for most harried new moms. If you absolutely must have a cup to get you through the day, make sure it’s before 4pm so your body has time to adjust back to it’s normal state before bedtime.

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AVOID CAFFEINE

Tony Metaxas/Getty

AVOID CAFFEINE

This may be obvious, but it’s also a hard thing to do for most harried new moms. If you absolutely must have a cup to get you through the day, make sure it’s before 4pm so your body has time to adjust back to it’s normal state before bedtime.

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TURN OFF YOUR TECH

John Giustina/Getty

TURN OFF YOUR TECH

03of 08CREATE A SOOTHING AMBIANCEA soft bedside lamplight is much better than overhead lighting – it’s more conducive to the pre-sleep phase. Also, keep a hand cream with a relaxing scent (chamomile or lavender are my faves!) on the nightstand so you can massage it into your hands before you wind down.

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CREATE A SOOTHING AMBIANCE

CREATE A SOOTHING AMBIANCE

A soft bedside lamplight is much better than overhead lighting – it’s more conducive to the pre-sleep phase. Also, keep a hand cream with a relaxing scent (chamomile or lavender are my faves!) on the nightstand so you can massage it into your hands before you wind down.

04of 08KEEP TEMPS COOLDavid De Lossy/GettyEveryone sweats during the night so make sure yourduvet or coversmatch up to the weather outside. The last thing you want is to feel overheated.

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KEEP TEMPS COOL

David De Lossy/Getty

KEEP TEMPS COOL

Everyone sweats during the night so make sure yourduvet or coversmatch up to the weather outside. The last thing you want is to feel overheated.

05of 08LET DAD PITCH INTony Metaxas/GettyIf your babe is still waking up for feedings, divvy up the nights with your partner to give yourself an evening off. If he’s working full time and you’re still at home, ask him to cover you on the weekends.

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LET DAD PITCH IN

LET DAD PITCH IN

If your babe is still waking up for feedings, divvy up the nights with your partner to give yourself an evening off. If he’s working full time and you’re still at home, ask him to cover you on the weekends.

06of 08LEAVE CHORES FOR LATERSouthern Stock/GettyOnce your children are asleep, you’ll be tempted to tidy the kitchen, start a wash or pick up toys. Although sometimes it’s productive to get in a few chores before bed, if you’re feeling tired and don’t board the sleep train within 15 minutes, you may have to wait an hour or so for another opportunity.

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LEAVE CHORES FOR LATER

Southern Stock/Getty

LEAVE CHORES FOR LATER

Once your children are asleep, you’ll be tempted to tidy the kitchen, start a wash or pick up toys. Although sometimes it’s productive to get in a few chores before bed, if you’re feeling tired and don’t board the sleep train within 15 minutes, you may have to wait an hour or so for another opportunity.

07of 08BOND WITH YOUR PARTNERCompassionate Eye Foundation/Siri Stafford/GettyLife’s worries can keep you awake at night, so chat through them with your better half. You’ll find you’ll relax more easily as you talk them through. Plus, hugging releases the calming hormone oxytocin, so a good cuddle before bed will help you all sleep better.

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BOND WITH YOUR PARTNER

Compassionate Eye Foundation/Siri Stafford/Getty

BOND WITH YOUR PARTNER

Life’s worries can keep you awake at night, so chat through them with your better half. You’ll find you’ll relax more easily as you talk them through. Plus, hugging releases the calming hormone oxytocin, so a good cuddle before bed will help you all sleep better.

08of 08HEATHER PORTERCourtesy of Heather PorterAfter being unable to find a definitive source on motherhood, the author (and mother of four!) spent years researching and reaching out to experts so she could writeBody Back, a true manual for all moms. “This is the book I needed when I had my first child; my only regret is that I didn’t write it until I had my fourth.”

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HEATHER PORTER

Courtesy of Heather Porter

HEATHER PORTER

After being unable to find a definitive source on motherhood, the author (and mother of four!) spent years researching and reaching out to experts so she could writeBody Back, a true manual for all moms. “This is the book I needed when I had my first child; my only regret is that I didn’t write it until I had my fourth.”

source: people.com