Tips When Providing Overnight Care

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Use this infographic as an ‘in your pocket’ reminder and guide. You can easily save this directly to your phone or click to down a jpeg/pdf.

Science Backed Tips

Whether you're juggling late-night feeds, toddler tantrums, or school runs, it’s easy to underestimate how tired you really are.

Sleep Tips When Providing Overnight Care for Children

  • Do not turn on overhead lights or use devices when you get up to care for your child. This will make it easier to get back to sleep afterwards. Consider using nightlights or lamps with low wattage light globes.

  • Prepare anything you need for overnight caregiving in advance, to minimise the amount of time you spend awake. This might include:

    • Have everything you need in easy reach, including nappies, bottles, and other supplies

    • Pre-measuring formula into bottles

    • Knowing where medical supplies are located

  • If another caregiver is available to provide overnight care, establish a schedule to share the load. It is important that all caregivers / parents have the opportunity to sleep and recover. 

  • Consider using technology to monitor your child/children rather than waking up to check on them. Beware of volume controls though – ensure your volume is loud enough to hear them but not so loud it keeps you awake.

  • Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be useful to help you get back to sleep after overnight caregiving

  • Set up a good sleep environment for you and your child (e.g., cool, dark, and quiet).

  • If you’ve had a bad night of sleep, try to schedule in a nap and/or an early bedtime the following day.

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Use these infographic as an ‘in your pocket’ reminder and guide.
You can easily save the images directly to your phone or download them from each resource page.

SAVE | SHARE | DOWNLOAD