When friends and random passerby’s in parking lots smiled at my pregnant belly and told me I’d never sleep again once my baby was born, I went home and took a nap. I thought this was an exaggeration along the lines of how my grandma recounted her 25-mile uphill in a blizzard during a space-alien invasion walk to grade-school tale. Now I believe her because I also believe in 4th trimester sleep-deprivation. It’s the real deal, folks. Meet my son:the newborn who never slept.
“Did you know that babies sleep 17 hours during a 24-hour period? That’s a lot!” my friend without a baby gleefully said.
I stared at him
The icing on the cake was always that social media post|The icing on the cake was always that social media post
I’d scroll passed a post about how my cousin’s one-month-old was taking two full two-hour naps a day — #winningatnaptimes. I wasn’t sure I would survive. Finally, I called my pediatrician and he said, “You know, some kids aren’t good sleepers at first.” His use of the words “at first” reignited my hope. I’d make it through… but I’d need some help at first.
I finally asked my husband, family, and trusted friends to help when they could so I could sleep. I also made sure I talked to friends who could empathize with what I was experiencing. The sleep and support gave me the extra boost and positive perspective change I needed. And guess what, folks? I’m here to tell the tale. It wasn’t easy, but I survived — and you will too.
|
I’d scroll passed a post about how my cousin’s one-month-old was taking two full two-hour naps a day — #winningatnaptimes. I wasn’t sure I would survive. Finally, I called my pediatrician and he said, “You know, some kids aren’t good sleepers at first.” His use of the words “at first” reignited my hope. I’d make it through… but I’d need some help at first.
I finally asked my husband, family, and trusted friends to help when they could so I could sleep. I also made sure I talked to friends who could empathize with what I was experiencing. The sleep and support gave me the extra boost and positive perspective change I needed. And guess what, folks? I’m here to tell the tale. It wasn’t easy, but I survived — and you will too.
