Why do so many people use the saying, “I slept like a baby” to describe a good quality sleep? If anything, sleeping like a baby means waking up in tears at all hours of the night – or at least, that’s what many new parents experience. As the caregiver of a newborn, your sleep cycle quite literally syncs up with your baby’s sleep pattern – which can make it feel like getting a good night’s sleep is nothing but a distant memory. Whoever coined the phrase about sleeping like a baby clearly never tried to sleep while raising a newborn!
Online baby forums and social media posts tend to showcase the beautiful, happy moments of raising a baby while glossing over how draining the learning curve can become. The truth is, sleep disruption can cause a myriad of mental, physical, social, and emotional difficulties – especially for first-time parents. As rewarding as parenthood can be, it’s important to recognize the challenges that come with earning the title of Mommy or Daddy.
At Marble, we’re all about keeping it real – so we’re sharing some general tips you can try to help cope with parenthood’s lack of sleep.
Sleep When Your Baby Sleeps
Sleeping whenever possible might sound obvious, but sometimes new parents are so overwhelmed by their sense of responsibility they are afraid to sleep – what if you sleep through an emergency? Think of it this way; parents arguably need sleep more than anyone! Plus, babies need a concrete routine to get the rest they need, and if your nervous system is out of whack due to lack of sleep, your baby will sense that thanks to their strong attunement with you.
Sure, getting a whole 7 or 8 hours is the ideal scenario – but who are we kidding? This is the stuff of dreams. Tempting as it may be to throw in a load of laundry (read: binge Netflix) while your baby naps longer than you expected, try to prioritize naps of your own to decrease your sleep debt instead. Every little bit of rest and recuperation helps!
Request Some Backup
Whether you’re barely sleeping because of frequent nightly feeds, an extra tearful newborn, or the general day-to-day stress of it all, sometimes we all need to call in the reinforcements. There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it, especially if you’re getting so rundown that it’s interfering with your relationship with your little one – or even your partner.
Call on secondary caregivers like your baby’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends to keep watch so you can get some rest. If you have the means, reach out to a nanny or babysitter for a break. It’s a myth that parents must “do it all” themselves. Honestly, there is truth to the idea that it takes a village to raise a child, so you don’t necessarily HAVE to do it alone. Do your best, book some rest, and do it all guilt-free. You’ll thank us later!
Prioritize Self-care
We’re not talking about bubble baths and facials here, although the fun side of self-care can certainly be helpful too! Many new parents laugh off self-care as frivolous or self-indulgent – besides, who has the time? Self-care as a psychological construct doesn’t mean selfishly abandoning your responsibilities for the day; it just means taking small moments to fill up your reserves so you can continue providing that incredible level of care you strive to show your baby.
Remember, there’s no room for mom-guilt or dad-guilt here – when you show up as an imperfect human for your child, you subconsciously give them permission to do the same. Sometimes, sleep deprivation is exacerbated by the stress of being “on” all day trying to care for your family. So, make yourself a healthy meal, take a short nap while your baby naps, or go for a brisk walk in the sun – even if it’s only a few minutes here and there – and you’ll find you may rest a little easier that night!
Speak to a Medical Professional
Sometimes, chronic sleep deprivation can persist beyond those first few months of your baby’s life – effecting your overall health for the worse. If you find that you are so drained you cannot function most days, consider speaking to your physician to determine whether there may be an underlying cause. A sleep expert or medical professional can help assess your situation and determine next steps to help you regain equilibrium and continue being the best parent you can be.
If you’ve made it this far through the blog post, congratulations – you’re still awake! Chronic lack of sleep can rob you of so many things, from your focus and concentration to your health and good mood. For many parents, sleep disruption levels out as their babies age, so if it feels like this tiredness may last forever, remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Here’s to catching some Z’s as often as you can and being kind to yourself through the long nights.
There’s strength in numbers, so find comfort in knowing that there are millions of other parents out there who are equally exhausted! Connect with like-minded parents in the Marble community by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
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