Hey there, new moms! I have some not-so-great news for you: brace yourselves, because sleep might be a distant memory from here on out.
You see, as mothers, we make countless sacrifices—nurturing little ones, wiping noses, slicing grapes, and crafting adorable bedtime stories—yet the one thing that seems to elude us is a good night’s sleep. It’s a little tidbit that’s conveniently glossed over in the literature you receive from your OB. Sure, you hear whispers about the first few months being rough, but everyone seems to focus on the magical moment when your tiny human will sleep for six, seven, or even ten hours straight. After that, you’re led to believe it’s all smooth sailing.
Questions like “Is your baby sleeping through the night yet?” or “When did your little one start sleeping through the night?” echo in your ears. The collective narrative suggests that “sleeping through the night” is as straightforward a milestone as taking first steps. But let’s face it, the reality is messier than that.
Yes, eventually, most babies will sleep through the night. Whether you’re waiting patiently for it to happen or turning to the renowned Dr. Snoozefest and his miracle sleep method, it will come. The first time your baby sleeps through the night is cause for celebration—you’re likely to shout it from the rooftops of social media. But what you don’t share is that you woke up multiple times in a panic, worried that your little one might be in distress. Those details? Not so significant when you finally get that coveted sleep.
But hold on. Just because they sleep through the night once, doesn’t mean they’ll keep it up. Once they hit toddlerhood, they may sleep soundly… or they may not. And even as children grow, sleep patterns can remain unpredictable. If you find yourself sleeping through the night more than half the time while your kids are young, consider yourself one of the lucky few.
Let’s also acknowledge that no one warns you about this before the arrival of your little one. It’s probably for good reason—would we really have appreciated our undisturbed sleep back then? Most likely not. So, let’s dive into the reasons behind this unfortunate truth, drawing from my own colorful experiences of sleepless nights.
Here are four key culprits:
- Basic Needs: For babies under six months, common issues include hunger, dirty diapers, gas, and a general lack of understanding about day and night. They also have an uncanny ability to hit themselves in the face with their own flailing limbs.
- Teething: Ah, teething! This phenomenon seems to be blamed for everything once a baby begins to drool. It’s like the “El Niño” of baby ailments—if nothing else explains the sleeplessness, teeth are to blame.
- Illness: According to a pediatrician, babies and toddlers can catch 8-10 colds each year. Each round of illness starts with fever (cue night waking), then progresses to congestion and cough, leading to weeks of disrupted sleep. And just as you’re finally recovering, the next round of colds or teething hits.
- Sleep Regression: At some point, all babies go through phases where they forget how to sleep through the night. Suddenly, they’re waking up more frequently, reverting to newborn sleep patterns and requiring parental intervention to soothe them back to sleep.
These factors alone wreak havoc on your sleep habits. Even when your baby does manage to sleep through the night, you may find yourself lying awake, pondering life’s mysteries—like whether a certain celebrity is really that obnoxious or if it’s just an act. Motherhood rewires your brain to wake at the faintest sound, so noises that once went unnoticed will now jolt you awake.
As your kids grow, expect a new level of nighttime disruptions: nightmares, stomach bugs, requests for water, misplaced toys, and even the age-old dilemma of where to position their arms. I can only imagine the future challenges: calls from a second grader needing a ride home, late-night music from a middle schooler, or waiting up for teenage curfews.
I’ve come to terms with the idea of never sleeping soundly again, and I’ve become quite adept at functioning on less sleep. However, it’s crucial for those of us who have navigated this tumultuous path to share the truth with newcomers. Sure, some may achieve that elusive “sleeping through the night” milestone, but remember to recharge when you can.
Because, dear mamas, we’re in this for the long haul.
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In summary, parenthood comes with the undeniable reality that sleep may become a luxury rather than a norm. The journey is fraught with challenges, but you’re not alone—many have walked this path, ready to support you through sleepless nights.