You’ve excelled in the art of baby feeding, conquered the car seat, and rallied for your baby’s often-demanding sleep routine (hello, 3 a.m. feedings!). And like every other new mom, you’re likely a bit tired. Even if your little one is still waking at night, it’s possible to steal some much-needed sleep for yourself. Here’s how you can create your own routine for rest:

Nap when baby naps.
It’s important to pencil in periods of rest throughout the day, especially in your new baby’s first few months, when he’ll be waking every two to three hours to feed. The laundry and the dishes can wait: Naptime is your time to nab those elusive z’s. Try to nap earlier in the day rather than in the evenings, and make sure you’re up by 4 p.m. This way, your body will be prepared to settle down when you’re ready for bed.

Get outside and get moving.
Exercise is healthy for both you and your baby, and it can help you sleep better at night. Plus, fresh air can go a long way toward making new moms feel more energized. Try scheduling a daily walk each morning between feedings.

Befriend the baby bottle.
If you’ve decided to breastfeed and it is going well, ask your doctor if you should try introducing a bottle (typically around four or five weeks). Your partner or helper can take over the 3 a.m. feedings while you catch up on restorative sleep before your next shift.

Create a calm environment.
When you’re on call 24-7, it’s tough to settle down. Having a baby puts you on constant alert, and you’re wired with adrenaline from being overtired. Summon sleep more easily by lying down in a cool, dark room. Try an eye mask, a white noise machine, or soft music. Letting your little one co-sleep may be tempting -- especially if you’re nursing late at night -- but you’ll get a better night’s rest if your new baby sleeps in a bassinet next to your bed or in his crib. He’ll learn to self-soothe, and you’ll secure yourself some more uninterrupted shut-eye.

Sleep directly affects your mood and energy level, as well as your ability to lose the baby weight, which makes scheduling periods of rest a no-brainer for you and your new baby. If you’re feeling good, you’ll be better equipped to handle the daily demands of having a baby, and you’ll be more likely to make choices that will benefit your child’s long term development.

Who doesn’t love a good massage? Babies are no different from adults when it comes to soothing, skin-to-skin contact. Consider giving your little one a massage a couple of times a week to see how she reacts; if she enjoys it, you can do it more often. Ready to start? Read on for tips on when (and why) to give your baby a soothing rubdown.

Reap the benefits.
The advantages of infant massages are vast and varied: It builds a stronger bond, improves relaxation, encourages better sleep, and reduces crying. And, believe it or not, moms (and dads!) enjoy a few perks, too, including better self-esteem and confidence in their ability to care for their newborns and respond to their cues.

Perfect the timing.
Pay attention to your new baby’s mood and decide whether she’s ready for an infant massage. Most tots are rather content in the morning and may welcome a rubdown; others might like it just before an afternoon nap or after bath time as part of the bedtime routine. Avoid a baby massage right after she eats, however, as it may cause her to vomit (wait about 45 minutes after a feeding).

Watch the response.
See how your baby reacts to an infant massage so you can gauge her enjoyment. If she’s wiggling her arms, cooing, or smiling, then you can continue the good work! But if you notice her turning her head away, or she seems restless or cranky, give it a rest and try again another day.

Make the most of the massage.
The best part about any baby massage is the bond that forms when you gently touch your infant. Boost this connection while you stroke your baby by talking to her, singing a quiet song, or chanting her name softly so she can relax and release any tension she may feel.

Massage is an ancient art, one that babies all over the world enjoy. Don’t worry if your infant massage technique isn’t perfect or you think your new baby isn’t having a good time. Practice it when you can, and you’ll soon find the rhythm and touch that best suits your baby.

All new moms face exhaustion in the beginning, but moms of multiples probably take the prize for being the most tired. Getting two babies to sleep at the same time may seem impossible (one is fine, the other is crying!), but synchronizing your twins’ sleep isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here, six tips that will help your new babies -- and, in turn, you -- get enough sleep.

1. Dinner’s served.
Many new moms of multiples agree that getting their babies on the same feeding schedule helps them start sleeping at the same time, too. Double-duty feedings may take some practice to pull off, but if they both have full bellies at the same time, they should (in theory) feel drowsy together, too.

2. Set the scene
As with just one new baby, establishing a routine -- and sticking to it -- is important. Your babies will come to expect it and will feel comforted by the familiarity. Most bedtime routines include a bath, stories, some cuddling, a lullaby, and then a tuck-in at the same time each evening.

3. Two’s company.
Twins and triplets are used to being snuggled up together from their time in the womb, so sharing a crib post-birth is a fine idea. Many multiples sleep together for the first few months or until they are able to roll over. (Infants usually start rolling from side to back between 1 and 5 months followed by rolling back to side 2 to 7 months.) Your multiples can share a crib for naptime, too.

4. Got tears?
It seems logical that when one new baby cries, her sister or brother will chime in. But know that many twins and triplets are able to sleep through the din. Check on your quiet baby first to be sure she’s settled (you don’t want her to miss out on the attention she may need), and then help out your screamer.

5. Short and sweet.
As you would do with a single baby, discourage nighttime waking by keeping the room quiet and dimly lit. Keep talk to a minimum, feed them, and then place your new babies right back in the crib. The message you’re sending is that nighttime is for sleeping.

6. Wake a sleeper?
It may seem counterintuitive to rouse a sleeping twin when you’re feeding her brother, but doing so can help get them on the same schedule. Gradually, your multiples will wake up at the same time to be fed and then fall asleep again together.

Twins’ sleep schedules can be tricky to arrange at first, but once you’ve started, your new babies should sync both their nap and nighttime routines. But don’t go it alone! An extra pair of hands is important in the beginning, so get help from your partner, your mom, a friend, or a doula.

Your baby’s safety and health is your top concern, so it’s no wonder that moms spend so much time baby-proofing their homes, from installing baby safety gates to covering electrical outlets. But now that your baby’s crawling or walking, a whole new set of safety hazards opens up. Here’s how to go beyond basic baby-proofing to keep your baby safe.

Safeguard your windows.
Window guards (rows of bars no more than 4 inches apart that screw securely into window frames) or window stops (adjustable safety devices that prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches) are a toddler safety must on all upper-level windows. (An adult can release these quickly if there’s a fire.) Also, make sure all window blinds or shades are cordless, as the cords could accidentally injure a crawling baby or toddler.

Secure furniture.
A curious, walking baby will climb furniture, including TV stands and dressers, to reach an item. This can cause the furniture or TV to fall and potentially hurt your baby. Prevent tip-over accidents by securing large objects like dressers, TV stands, changing tables, and bookshelves securely to a wall or floor with an anchor. 

Lock up poisonous products.
Store potentially dangerous items, including cleaning products, medications, and cosmetics in a locked container or cabinet out of your baby’s sight and reach. Your diaper bag and purse can also pose a danger if they contain items like hand sanitizer or candies that could be a choking hazard. Instead of dropping your bag on the floor when you’re not using it, keep it high on a closet shelf out of your crawling baby’s reach.

Prevent burns.
The delicate skin of a new baby is extremely vulnerable. Set your hot water heater to 120 F or lower and always test the water temperature before placing your baby or toddler in the tub. The kitchen is another dangerous scalding hot spot, so turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and use the back burners as much as possible.

It’s critical to stay on top of baby-proofing as your new baby becomes more independent and starts to explore his world, so once you’ve tackled this to-do list, get down to your baby’s eye level to see what other hazards he might encounter. You’ll breathe easier knowing your little one is safe!

Compared to other baby milestones, the first baby teeth are pretty unpredictable. In fact, while the average age for the first pearly white is 6 months, some babies are born with one or more teeth, while others still sport a toothless grin as their first birthday approaches. Whenever your child’s first tooth pushes through, you’re going to want to ramp up the oral hygiene to ensure your new baby’s smile stays beautiful. The first step is to understand how cavities occur.

Cavity culprits
Like everyone else’s, your new baby’s mouth contains bacteria. When he eats or drinks, specks of food or a little bit of beverage linger in his mouth. Bacteria then feed on this food, producing acids that attack teeth and create holes in the outer layer (or tooth enamel), which develop into cavities. This is why keeping your baby’s teeth and gums clean between meals is a must. Luckily, it’s easy to do.

Protecting baby teeth from decay

• From day one, make a habit of gently wiping your child’s gums after every meal and before bedtime -- even before his first tooth appears. Use a clean piece of gauze or washcloth moistened with water. Once your child has baby teeth, you can switch to a soft baby toothbrush.
  
  
• Babies can’t spit on command, so it’s best just to use a fluoride-free toothbrush at first instead of topping the brush with fluoride toothpaste they might ingest. Check with your child’s pediatrician, who can advise you on when it’s okay to switch to fluoride toothpaste (usually around age 2).
  
  
• If your little one gets thirsty between meals, offer water when possible and limit juice as well as sugary or sticky foods, like cookies and candy.
  
  
• To avoid passing cavity-causing bacteria from your mouth to your baby, try not to share food or drinks or put his spoon or pacifier in your mouth.
  
  
• Ask your child’s health care provider about fluoride, which strengthens your baby’s tooth enamel, making it harder for acids to break through.

Even though baby teeth are temporary, that doesn’t mean they’re unimportant. Not only does your child need his baby teeth for chewing and talking, but they serve as placeholders so his adult teeth have room to come in. The bottom line: Brush those gums and teeth from the start to enjoy your little one’s beautiful smile for years to come.