Hey there, super-parents and parents-to-be! Welcome back to our little corner of the internet where we dish our flavor of parenting wisdom, from changing diapers to choosing the right pre-school. Today, we’re talking about a topic that’s close to our hearts, well.. more so close to our pillows – SLEEP!
Yes, sleep, that now elusive, magical phenomenon we all used to take for granted as children whining about the naps we were forced to take… But anyways, let’s walk through the stages of parenting, from the exciting ‘baby-making’ phase to the equally exhilarating (and exhausting) postpartum period, and uncover why catching those zzzs is paramount (seriously, it should be up there with eating).
Stage One: The Fertility Journey
It all begins with the birds and the bees, right? Well, maybe. If the birds are genetic cells. And the bees are a well-timed connect in the uteri/petri dish. But anyways.. if your road to parenting involves fertility treatments, you know it’s a lot more complicated. Between medical appointments, injections, and the Shondaland-level emotional rollercoaster, it’s easy to let sleep fall to the bottom of the priority list when starting at on the parent-planning journey.
However, studies show that lack of sleep can affect fertility. For those of you with uterus’ that are considering being the carrying parent, our hormones are closely linked to our sleep cycles, and getting inadequate sleep can throw these hormones out of whack. The key takeaway? Prioritizing sleep can actually boost your odds of success during fertility treatments. So make to try and prioritize a good night’s sleep, okay?
Those of you not carrying – but hopeing to be of support to your partners or friends through pregnancy – this is your reminder, too. You can’t run a ship-shape support campaign on little-to-no sleep.
Stage Two: Pregnancy
Congratulations! You or someone you love has got a bun in the oven! As a belly grows, so do those midnight bathroom trips and the relentless hunt for a comfortable sleeping position.
Despite these sleep obstacles, it’s crucial to try to get eight hours in. While building a human being from scratch, a body needs all the energy it can get! Plus, well-rested pregnant folks often report more manageable morning sickness, fewer mood swings, and a better overall pregnancy experience.
Stage Three: Newborn Mayhem
Fast forward a few months, and you’ve got a brand-new roommate who has a very…interesting…sense of day and night. This phase can be incredibly challenging, but remember (especially when you’re pacing the floors at 3am), it’s temporary.
Sleep when the baby sleeps, they say. But we know, that’s easier said than done (When do you do…laundry? or… life?).. but it’s worth a try. The laundry can wait. Your sleep can’t. Snatch those precious nap opportunities when they come along because a well-rested parent is better equipped to handle the chaos that a newborn, or in-laws, can sometimes bring. Seriously, I hated naps pre-kiddo… and now? Well, now I still jump at a chance to put our two-year old down for a nap in hopes of catching a couple of z’s alongside them.
Stage Four: The Toddler Years
As your bundle of joy grows into an adventurous toddler, new challenges arise. The infamous ‘bedtime battles’ are real, folkx! Or atleast they were/are for us (Bailey and her wife, Sarah)! (Did you know SLEEP REGRESSIONS ARE A THING? I didn’t.. but more on that later.)
Anyways, try to remember: your kiddo is looking at you for cues. Establishing that bedtime routine and sticking to it is key. Not only will this help your little one settle down (eventually!), but it will also give you a few precious hours to yourself. Use this time to decompress, and yes, get some sleep!
Stage Five: Postpartum and Beyond
As your family grows and your little ones get older, you might think you can finally catch up on all that lost sleep…. Okay, I doubt anyone really thinks that, but work with me here… anyways… With school, extracurriculars, and a million other things to juggle we know our schedules will remain robust and the need for a good night’s sleep doesn’t get any less important (or easy to achieve).
The happier and healthier you are, the better parent you can be. So, when possible, prioritize your sleep, even when the to-do list seems endless. Remember, it’s not selfish—it’s self-care. And rest is resistance (Em loves this book, so we had to include)!
Let’s Put this One to Bed
To beat this expired equine one more time: sleep, as elusive as it may seem, is a non-negotiable part of the parenting journey. From fertility treatments to postpartum and beyond, getting adequate shut-eye isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It helps you stay healthy, keeps your hormones balanced, boosts your mood, and lets you recharge your parenting batteries.
But hey, we get it. Parenting is a 24/7 gig, and sleep can sometimes feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. So here’s a obvious antidote that feels like a huge secret when you’re a recovering hyperindependent young parent from the ‘experienced parents’ club: You don’t have to do it alone. Involve your partner, ask your parents or friends for help, or hire a babysitter (if you can) to sit with your child while you let yourself be human. Teamwork makes the dream work, or in this case, it makes the “dream sleep” work.
Remember, dear readers, you’re doing a tremendous job. Parenting is an exhilarating, challenging, and, yes, fucking exhausting.
Take care of yourselves and each other, prioritize rest, and don’t forget to cut yourselves some slack. You’re shaping the future, one powernap at a time.
Goodnight, sleep tight, and remember – you’re doing alright! (lollllll)
Warmly,
QPC
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