Getting Sleep with a Newborn – How its Working for Us!

**This post was sponsored by Owlet, all opinions of their product are my own!

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One of the first things I get asked having an infant is, “are you getting any sleep?” I have to say though, not too many people love me when I say yes. Blaire started sleeping through the night around 4 weeks old, and Brooklyn was right behind her at about 4 or 5 weeks. When I say “sleeping through the night” I mean about 8 hours of straight-through sleep. Which in return, allows me to get 8 hours of beauty sleep as well.

I’ll tell you how it worked for us, but please keep in mind that this is just what worked for us. My mom used a lot of these tips with us, and I took a lot of her advice and altered a few things to make it work for my family. I am not a doctor, health administrator, baby guru, nurse, etc. I am just a mom, trying to raise happy, healthy kiddos without being exhausted myself 🙂 I recommend speaking with your pediatrician if you have trouble getting your kids to sleep through the night.

First things first, Jason and I made the decision with both of our children before they were born that we would NOT co-sleep. We both need sleep to function in our adult lives, and to be happy and friendly people. This was our choice, what we wanted, and what worked for us.  We wanted to keep our bedroom ours, and our kids room theirs. From Day 1, both Blaire and Brooklyn have slept in their cribs.

Secondly, when my babies wanted to sleep, I let them sleep. I never try to wake them up just to keep them on a tight schedule, or so they can get to bed at the same time every night. I have always let them guide me with their sleeping schedules, and its worked for us.

For my kids, full bellies meant sleepy babies, so one big thing for me was making sure both were well fed before putting them down for the night. Typically, I don’t put Brooklyn to bed (for the night) until about 11pm. I make sure that before I put her down, that she has had her last bottle, which may be 10:30, 11 or possibly a little after. For her, she sleeps best on 4-6oz of breastmilk or formula. But every night after that final bottle, I swaddle her up, full and happy, and lay her to bed. Girlfriend is out until 7:30 or 8 the next morning. And I am too. See here and here for the swaddles we use!

When Blaire was sleeping through the night at about 4 weeks, I can’t say that I was. I was nervous with every sound I heard, or didn’t hear. Every little cry or sigh of breath made me nervous. I slept so lightly because I was afraid something would happen and I’d have to run in there at any moment. This weighed a huge toll on me when I started back to work at 12 weeks, making me exhausted and unfocused, I didn’t have much energy to get through the day. Every day Blaire woke up happy and healthy, but I couldn’t help but worry about her all night.

My quality of sleep is 100% better with Brooklyn because I have huge peace of mind. I was recently gifted a Smart Sock 2, from Owlet, and if you haven’t heard of them, listen up. The Smart Sock 2 is a little sock that you wrap around your baby’s foot, and it tracks his or her heart rate and oxygen levels. It comes with a base-station, that will work up to 100 feet away from your baby. The base lets you know if there are any changes outside the preset zones from your baby throughout the night and will notify you if necessary. 

You can also see the trends and historical stats from an easy to use app, Connected Care, on your phone (coming at the end of summer! More details here.). If you do wake up and want to see what’s happening just in case, you can open to the Smart Sock app and get accurate readings of the current heart rate and oxygen level. Owlet even gives you a guide so you’re aware that it’s normal for the heart rate to increase if your baby is feeding (tip: you may want to turn off the monitor during feedings or while rocking baby, as your body can interfere with the readings), and decrease as your baby falls to sleep. You won’t have to use the app to know what’s going on, or even be near your phone – because the base station will change from Green to either Yellow or Red, and notify you of any changes outside those zones. According to OwletCare.com, 83% of parents reported sleep improvement while using the Smart Sock, and my husband and I are definitely included! I guess you could say, we are all sleeping like a baby!  

Have you tried the Smart Sock 2? If so I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if you think it would help give you peace of mind while sleeping.

Keep in mind, the Smart Sock is best for 0-18 months of age, and the app is compatible with iPhone 5 or later. The sock battery lasts about 18 hours before needing recharged.

 

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49 Comments

    • August 7, 2017 / 1:39 pm

      Thank you! I shouldn’t have put her in blue because I even thought she looked like a boy in these pics! Ha! It’s what was clean and near at the time lol

  1. August 7, 2017 / 2:19 pm

    Oh those first few months are so hard! Glad you found what works – makes the days so much easier when everyone is sleeping well at night!

    • August 13, 2017 / 9:14 am

      You’re totally right! I’m a lot more pleasant to be around too ???

  2. August 7, 2017 / 5:26 pm

    I couldn’t believe it when you first told me that you were sleeping through the night. Seriously, you’re one lucky lady haha! But omg that Smart Sock is the neatest invention. Whoever thought it up is genius because I know that’s 98% of the parents’ trouble sleeping during the first few months of their baby’s life. It’s stressful even with a monitor, not knowing whether or not they’re okay! Glad you have this to check up on Brooke!

  3. August 7, 2017 / 7:59 pm

    I am going to have to tell my sister-in-laws about this product! What a great idea! You are one lucky momma getting to sleep through the night! You go girl!

    -$arah
    http://www.thebourbonbeauty.com

    • August 7, 2017 / 8:01 pm

      Thanks girl! It won’t make them sleep but I feel much better and am able to get a solid sleep with it! Not having to worry and all 🙂

  4. Helena
    August 7, 2017 / 8:41 pm

    That’s awesome you get great amount of sleep and I know sleep is so important for your well being! I will have to let one of my friends know about this product since they have newborn babies. Thanks for sharing❤️

    • August 13, 2017 / 9:13 am

      Thank you so much girl! I’m sure they would love it!

  5. August 8, 2017 / 1:36 pm

    He is such a cutie! I am glad you’re sleeping through the night!

  6. August 8, 2017 / 1:45 pm

    Wow, what a cool product! I will have to bookmark this for the future 🙂

  7. maggie@blushandblooms.com
    August 8, 2017 / 2:23 pm

    This is such great advice!

  8. August 8, 2017 / 2:54 pm

    Haha that would be my first question too, but luckily you’re blessed with a beautiful child who does allow you to at least sleep some. Unlike me who was screaming nonstop the first few months of my life. 🙂
    Thomas xx

  9. August 8, 2017 / 4:11 pm

    What a little cutie! One of my good friends has one of the Owlet products and swears by it!

  10. August 8, 2017 / 7:18 pm

    awwwee!! he is such a cutie pie!

  11. August 8, 2017 / 9:03 pm

    Omg! That is such a cool concept!! I’m not a mom, but I’ve heard that that’s a huge concern. What a cutie she is 🙂

  12. August 9, 2017 / 12:23 am

    We used the Owlet as well and LOVED every bit of it! Good for you Momma!

  13. August 9, 2017 / 11:28 am

    Smart Sock 2 sounds really interesting. Anyway, learned a lot from your post. You’re very lucky having kids that lets you sleep 8 hours a night. And I definitely agree with you about getting enough sleep to function 100%.

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

  14. audreymadisonstowe
    August 9, 2017 / 1:50 pm

    Loved reading this! I don’t have a baby but the Owlet definitely seems like a great purchase to keep your mind at ease so you can sleep better! Thanks for sharing girl.

    • August 11, 2017 / 5:00 pm

      Thanks so much babe!! Have a great weekend 🙂 xo

  15. August 9, 2017 / 6:20 pm

    I have never heard of the Smart Sock 2 but definitely will need to share this in my family! If it is working for you, hopefully it will work for others!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

  16. Amy M Loochtan
    August 9, 2017 / 8:21 pm

    we def. need one of these when our little one arrives!

  17. August 10, 2017 / 11:09 am

    So cute! I’m not a mom, but I’ll have to tell my mom friends about this!

  18. August 12, 2017 / 2:53 pm

    This is a must-have for all parents! There’s nothing better than peace of mind and a good night’s sleep!

    xo, Sara

  19. ashleyharg
    August 12, 2017 / 9:27 pm

    Ok, this is absolutely adorable!! I wouldn’t mind not sleeping for that face but this is seriously such a good idea and perfect for a good night’s sleep!!

  20. August 13, 2017 / 2:33 am

    Ok this is brilliant!!! I will be recommending this to all my friends becoming mamas!! I could’ve use this!! He is so sweet!!!

  21. absolutelyannie
    August 13, 2017 / 12:03 pm

    Aw he is the cutest! Such a good idea!

  22. Sarah K Tripp
    August 13, 2017 / 12:46 pm

    I’m for sure getting one of these when we have a baby!

  23. August 13, 2017 / 11:00 pm

    We put our son on a schedule at 2 weeks and he was sleeping through the night by 11 weeks. We are so lucky! Sleep is so important for both baby and Mom!

  24. August 13, 2017 / 11:39 pm

    Oh my goodness, he is precious and you look gorgeous momma! I need to remember this when I have a baby. Great post! 🙂

    XO,Tay

  25. Ashley houston
    August 13, 2017 / 11:41 pm

    Owlet is a sanity saver! I hope you’re getting sleep momma. It’s hard with two

    • August 19, 2017 / 11:17 am

      Haha girl it is so insane! Your family is so precious!

  26. August 14, 2017 / 12:16 am

    These photos are so precious, and such a sweet post. Thanks for sharing girlie! 🙂

  27. August 14, 2017 / 9:17 am

    Glad to hear you’re getting some sleep! Your little babe is just precious!!

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