Parents Don't Get Much Sleep

Were You Sad to Say Goodbye to Uninterrupted Shut-Eye?

November 8, 2010

Sleep is for the weak...or childless. Lots of mothers say goodbye to their hours of uninterrupted shut-eye once baby debuts. And, even once a tot is sleeping through the night and has a sibling or two, it doesn't mean parents necessarily have time to hit the hay. There are only so many hours in the day and for moms juggling a career, family, and their children's commitments, burning the midnight oil can become routine. Do you long for sleep or do you just consider the lack of it part of parenthood?

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9 Comments

2 years 27 weeks

I agree, Miss Sushi. Parents who state as fact that routine is what's needed for a good sleeper make it sound like if a child doesn't sleep well, it's the fault of the parents and their practices. Routine is generally good for kids no matter what, but it in no way guarantees that your child will sleep. Some kids just aren't good sleepers any more than some adults aren't.

MissSushi 2 years 27 weeks

I still have the same bedtime routine that I started with my first child 3 years ago. I have a nearly 8 month old now, and he is the best sleeper. He was able to sleep the night very very early, and takes a couple naps a day still. He has always needed his sleep. My 3 year old? Not so much. She kept me sleep deprived for a very long time, and still wakes up and has a hard time putting herself back to sleep. It just depends on the child, their needs, and how easily they can go back to sleep after the normal wake ups we all have.

Carri 2 years 27 weeks

My son goes to bed at 8 and wakes up around 7-7:30. He also takes a 2-3 hour nap starting at noon. Routine is key!

starbucks 2 years 27 weeks

I didn't really mind in the beginning, when I was still nursing. She started lsleeping through the night at 9 months and everything was wonderful! She would sometimes sleep til 9! Heaven! Then, all of the sudden she would wake up every 3-4 hours again. And since I wasn't breastfeeding anymore it would take up to an hour to get her back to sleep. Just then I realized how much sleep deprivation kills you slowly! She now sleeps around 12 hours a night and everyone's happy again ;)

Girl Jen 2 years 27 weeks

I didn't know how profound the lack of sleep would be until about the third trimester. Since then, a good night's sleep has been more of a luxury than a staple, and my daughter is three years old! I also didn't realize just how much I need my sleep. It made for some extremely difficult times, especially when she was a baby.

2 years 27 weeks

For the record though, sleeping through the night is often dependent on the child, not the routine or habits of the family. Even with the exact same practices with all the kids, they slept through the night at wildly varying ages. I have one that needs very little sleep overall and never has, it's just who he is.

2 years 27 weeks

Actually the middle of the night feedings and cuddles are my favorite times. No phone interruptions, no interruptions, just us cuddling on the couch or in bed. I adjusted to getting no sleep long ago, and now that all my kids sleep through the night I still wake up on my own, it just takes longer to get back to sleep now that I have no company. I agree that it's not an either/or question though. You can miss your sleep and still understand it's a part of parenthood.

amandachalynn 2 years 27 weeks

I'm lucky. Since he was 18 months old my son goes to bed at 8. He used to wake up later, but now that he's 5 he's up at 7. I really think it's because we have a set routine that we do every night.

Livvy-P 2 years 27 weeks

I totally miss my sleep! But I do understand that this is part of parenthood... I don't think that this is an either/or question.

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