Life as a new mom was not exactly as Nina Tang had imagined. Sleep deprivation, anxiety, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility clouded what was supposed to be a joyous period after the birth of her first child. As the first of her friends to start a family, the ex-flight attendant found herself navigating the unfamiliar territory of motherhood largely on her own.
Her firstborn, Myla, had colic and reflux, common but challenging issues in newborns. The constant need for upright holding after feeding and Myla’s two-hour sleep cycles left both parents exhausted. Despite her husband’s support, Dharmana found herself unable to sleep due to anxiety and a persistent feeling of inadequacy.
Though she fell short of a formal postnatal depression diagnosis during her six-week pediatric appointment, her symptoms were borderline. With little support available, Dharmana felt a substantial increase in her anxiety levels and a notable dip in her overall happiness.
Understanding that proper sleep is crucial for both children’s development and parents’ health, Dharmana sought help. She hired a sleep consultant when Myla was four months old. This marked a turning point for her as she learned about the importance of setting healthy sleep habits.
Inspired by this new knowledge, Dharmana embarked on an online course with the International Parenting and Health Institute to become a certified maternity and child sleep consultant. By the time she completed the course in late 2018, she had welcomed her second child, Theo.
Dharmana advises new mothers to take it easy during the first few months, acknowledging that sleep challenges are common. However, if these persist beyond five months, it might be time to seek professional help to establish healthy sleep habits.
Sleep consultants provide personalized guidance based on a baby’s sleep logs and other factors such as the baby’s self-soothing skills, activities, and environment. They stress the importance of creating an optimal sleep environment and sticking to a routine, with consistency in bedtime and wake-up times being key.
Dharmana also recommends getting plenty of natural daylight during the day to support the circadian rhythm and enhance the mood. A passionate advocate for quality sleep, she follows her advice with her family, maintaining a strict early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine.
From battling sleep deprivation to becoming a sleep consultant, Dharmana’s journey illuminates the importance of sleep management in child-rearing and the transformative power of personal growth amid challenges.
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