Mums need sleep too! At Bubbaroo we’re all about Helping Babies Sleep so the whole family can sleep. Many of our Blogs are focussed on baby’s sleep but what about Mum’s sleep?
Mums need sleep as much as a baby needs sleep. The effect of sleep deprivation goes far beyond a tired body, it affects how we think and cope with our day to day life. When we don’t get good quality sleep the next day can be a blur and it’s really difficult to remain calm and patient when we’re feeling really cranky due to lack of sleep. Prolonged periods of broken sleep can take its toll! You can understand why sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture!
So how do we get a good night’s sleep?
It’s really important to go to bed at a regular time each night and practice good sleep hygiene. Make your bedroom your sanctuary – no phones/devices, TV or reading. The National Sleep Foundation advises that “light stimulates parts of our brains responsible for modulating our hormones, body temperature and other functions that play a role in making us feel sleepy or wide-awake”. It’s highly recommended that all electronic devices be kept to a minimum in the bedroom because of the electro-magnetic fields. Try to avoid bringing work stress to bed (easier said than done) and distraction into the sleep sanctuary. Your bedroom is for sleep and love making!
Rise & shine
Get up out of bed at the same time each day – I know this is difficult with a little one but you could start to set up the sleep routine for the whole family.
Time out
Allow yourself some unfocussed time each day to refresh for example whilst your little one is sleeping or having quiet time you could have a power nap of no more than 20 minutes; meditate; let your mind wander, daydream or simply lay outside and watch nature around you! You’ll may surprise yourself at how good you feel rather than trying to run around like a crazy person trying to get everything on your “To Do List” done before baby wakes!
Body Temperature, Bath time and Candles
Did you know that having a bath before bed is a great way to help you prepare for bed? Your temperature naturally dips at night, starting two hours before sleep and bottoming out at around 4 or 5 am. According to a 1997 study by New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, when you soak in a hot tub, your body temperature rises—and the rapid cool-down period immediately afterward relaxes you. Joyce Walsleben, PhD, associate professor at New York University School of Medicine recommends a soak in the tub for 20 or 30 minutes, 2 hours before bed. She says, “if you raise your temperature a degree or two with a bath, the steeper drop at bedtime is more likely to put you in a deep sleep”. A shower is considered less effective than a bath.
My personal routine when I’m feeling really frazzled is to run my bath 2 hours before bed, put on relaxing music, light my Evaglo candles, add some Epsom salts and a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil to the bath water, shut the door for 20 minutes and completely zone out! This is how I relax before bed! I absolutely love the soy body candles from Evaglo Natural Body Candles because they’re not just another candle but an indulgent experience. Hand poured in Western Australia by Mum of 5 Cherie. Evaglo Natural Body Candles are made from all natural ingredients, they release aromatic warm pool of pure soy bean oil. The oil is infused with certified organic rosehip oil and shea butter, so after it’s melted you can use it to moisturise your skin for a healthy glow. It’s so nourishing and indulgent. Why not try it on cracked heels.
Soy candles are great because they burn clean and are non-toxic as they’re made from soy beans. Whereas paraffin candles are made from petroleum oil. Soy wax candles do not increase the CO² level in the atmosphere like paraffin candles. Another benefit of soy candles is that they don’t need chemicals to scent them. They also have a much lower melting point so the wax itself doesn’t get as hot – I can blow out the candle after my bath and scoop the melted wax straight onto my skin as part of my moisture regime. Compared to paraffin candles, soy wax candles are much healthier for humans, pets and the environment. The added bonus is that they’re easier to clean up, simply use soap and water when the wax is spilled. To indulge yourself, shop the full range of Evaglo here.
What to wear
Dressing for bed is important too. Why should baby be the only one in luxurious organic cotton sleep wear? I love the range of sleepwear for mums from Cliveden, a local West Australian company specialising in organic cotton sleepwear. Feel amazing as you drift off to sleep knowing that you’re wearing beautiful sleepwear made in a sustainable way. Don’t know about you, but after I became a Mum, going to be sleep became a favourite time for me!
I was inspired by the interesting story behind local brand Cliveden. Find out more about creator Olivia in our Q&A. 
What’s the story behind Cliveden?
You could say that the story of Cliveden, and how it came to be, is a story that was 40 years in the making.
Growing up in Perth in the ’80s and ’90s, my Mum was a successful fashion designer and a lot of my childhood was spent rummaging around in her factory in Murray Street, Perth. My Mum not only had a staff of 80, supplying large department stores and boutique shops locally and interstate, she was also well respected by the trade union for her fair work practices. I really admired my Mum. She was a fantastic role model, who for me and my sister, showed us that women can do anything! I look back fondly on time spent working with my Mum during the school holidays.
Fast forward a handful of years, I have my own family now and am conscious that our consumer decisions will shape the future world. Are you aware that “fast fashion” is the second to mining in terms of polluting industries? We’re in an era where bees have been placed on the endangered list in the US, and hives are being rented and trucked to farms for cross pollination. It’s hard to believe.
Cliveden was born to provide an alternative to the fast fashion sleepwear industry that exists. The Certified Organic Cotton Jersey we use begins its life in India, where farmers and the biodiversity of the environment are not exposed to seriously toxic chemicals. Farmers are paid at least 30% more than conventional cotton farmers who can barely survive. The yarn is then shipped to Australia where it is dyed, using Certified Organic dye, and then finally woven. Once we have our hands on this beautiful soft cotton, we manufacture all of our garments locally, in Western Australia. 
What’s the meaning behind the name Cliveden?
The name Cliveden, came from a manor house in England, which was once home to Nancy and Waldorf Astor. The house became synonymous with lavish and extravagant parties, so we took the view that just because we’re organic, doesn’t mean we can’t be glamorous too!
How do you sell Cliveden Sleepwear?
We’ve been online and in operation now for just over a year with our women’s range. www.cliveden.com.au
Do you have any plans to extend Cliveden’s range of sleepwear?
In the next few months we’ll be extending our line to include a maternity range so watch this space. And as we spend so much of our life in sleepwear, we’re thrilled that all of our garments use Certified Organic cotton jersey. View the full Cliveden range here.
It’s really important for Mums to take care of themselves and enjoy some “me” time. If you feel good, the positive effect will flow on to the whole family. Enjoy!
