I felt like I had to talk about this one as we recently had our second baby, and one of my close friends had their first. While talking to him, all I could hear from him was how terrible the lack of sleep was. As a new dad, getting enough sleep can be a real challenge. With a new baby in the house, you may find yourself waking up several times a night to attend to your child’s needs. The lack of sleep can take a toll on your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships. In this blog post, we’ll explore the challenges that new dads face when it comes to getting enough sleep, and why sleep is so important for new parents.
The problem of sleep deprivation among new dads is a common one. Research shows that new parents can lose up to six months of sleep during their baby’s first two years of life. This can have a significant impact on their health, relationships, and overall well-being. As a new dad, you may find yourself struggling to stay awake during the day, feeling irritable or moody, and experiencing a range of physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and muscle fatigue.
Sleep is essential for everyone, but it’s especially important for new parents. Sleep helps to restore the body, repair tissues, and promote brain function. It also plays a critical role in regulating mood, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy immune system. For new parents, getting enough sleep is essential for being able to care for their child effectively and cope with the demands of parenting. Without sufficient sleep, new dads may find themselves struggling to keep up with their daily responsibilities and feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.
But here is the thing, your wife, she’s also sleep deprived, and way more than you are. So, I’m going to offer you some excellent marriage advice, do not under any circumstances tell your wife “I’m tired”. I cannot even imagine how triggering that would be from her standpoint, so just don’t do it.
Very few babies are sleeping through the night off the hop, but if you get one of these then lucky you! I can tell you that most babies are actually napping in like 30-minute intervals, and when they are newborns, they require more feeds. Guess who is getting up to do that? Your wife. Your baby might not even be hungry, but at this point they are too young to sleep train and feeding them is soothing, so who has to step in? That’s right, your wife.
Now I’m not telling you that you can’t be tired or sleep deprived because there is a good chance you probably are. However, telling your wife this is not recommended. Instead, you should be focusing on how you can get both of you more sleep.
One of the best things you can do to improve your sleep is to establish a routine. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. It can be helpful to create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to soothing music. By establishing a routine, you’ll signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and get ready for sleep.
Caring for a new baby is a team effort, so it’s important to share responsibilities with your partner. This means taking turns with feeding, diaper changes, and comforting your baby during the night. If you’re bottle-feeding, consider having your partner take on some of the nighttime feedings so that you can get some rest. By sharing responsibilities, you’ll both have a chance to get the sleep you need.
More importantly, you should try to get naps in for both you and your wife. Taking a nap during the day can help you catch up on sleep and improve your overall well-being. If your baby is napping, take the opportunity to nap as well. Even a short nap can help you feel more rested and alert.
If you’re really struggling to get enough sleep, consider seeking help from a family member, friend, or professional caregiver. Having someone come over to help with the baby can give you and your wife a chance to rest and recharge. Personally, we rotated in grandparents with great success for naps for us.
So quit whining, no one cares if you are tired. They only care how you are going to handle it. So help yourself, and your family, and ensure everyone gets some rest.