You know how it happens. After putting your baby to bed, you sit down to fold the laundry and check e-mail, and before you know it, it's time for Leno. Many new moms stay up too late, to get things done or to preserve precious time for themselves, says Ann Douglas, author of Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler. "It's a real catch-22 trying to balance the need for sleep with the need for time." Yet an extra hour of sleep is better for you than Nightline. Here's how to get it.

Postpone nonessential tasks like thank-you notes, photo albums, or closet reorganizing. If it isn't due tomorrow, it can wait.

Prioritize your downtime. Decide what's truly important to your peace of mind and make time for it, so you don't feel deprived at bedtime.

Get help. Ask friends or family members to pitch in with chores while you nurse or look after the baby. That way, household tasks won't keep you up until midnight.

Keep an eye on the clock. Avoid starting any new project after 9 p.m. and you'll be less likely to stay up late to finish it.

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