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Let’s make it clear from the start-not every mommy is the same and nor are their children. And as it may seem, ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ does not work for everyone! Especially not for mothers who have babies that refuse to fall asleep. As a newly expecting mom, it is easy to ridicule warnings from other moms who have gone through it all. Whenever someone suggests that as a new mom with a brand new baby, you would never sleep again, don’t think of it as an exaggeration because it is more than likely to be true! Don’t fall for the stranger who tells you that babies nap for 18 hours a day because that is almost never true unless they are at least 6 months of age.
Here’s Why ‘Sleep When The Baby Sleeps’ Doesn’t Work For All Moms
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Yes, it is true that there are mothers who manage to do the laundry, workout, and wash bottles while their newborn baby peacefully naps. They have a decent nighttime routine that includes a healthy amount of sleep. And by doing so, they perfectly fit into the classic ‘sleep when your baby sleeps’ category. However, it might not be accurate for all the moms out there who have a newborn that refuses to fall asleep! Forget doing laundry when your baby requires your attention for every waking moment of their existence, which also happens to be every moment they refuse to fall asleep. This eventually leads to moms facing extreme mental and physical exhaustion that only continues to pile up. Unfortunately, most tips you receive regarding overcoming new-mom-exhaustion is based on the premise that your newborn is actually sleepy.
And The Cycle Continues…
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If you are a mom that has a sleepless kid, know that there is a whole community of sleepless moms out there praying for a good night’s sleep! Their entire routine revolves around doing the same baby-oriented tasks on a loop—day in and day out. They lay their infant down after a good round of the day activities, cuddle them in bed, make them comfortable, and maybe even sing a lullaby. But as soon as they get their foot out of the door, they hear their little angel wake up from the slightest noise in the history of mankind. And just like that, the cycle continues. The next steps follow the same routine—feed the baby, have a little playtime, and attempt another sleep time routine without any success. And this is just the day time! The schedule is filled with colicky screams or hunger pangs at night, giving the mom only a two-hour sleeping window. Which is hardly any time to do laundry or get a peaceful sleep—forget both!
This lack of sleep adds up. To take up more headspace, mothers tend to start worrying about their child. Obviously, if the baby isn’t sleeping, they are facing exhaustion too, right? Well, don’t whack your brain about it. Unfortunately, you can’t find a solution to this problem alone. And, specifically not in the ill-suited advice from strangers with kids who are competing as professional nappers.
Lucky for you, we have a story that might calm you down. A mother struggling with a similar situation rang up her pediatrician and explained the problem; the doctor, in return, simply said, “You know, some kids aren’t good sleepers at first.” And that’s all you really need to know! The “at first” part makes all the difference. Like we said before, not all kids are the same, as some babies take a while getting used to or accepting a sleep routine. However, the non-sleeping phase is temporary. Your child is bound to find a sleep routine that suits them best. Until then, ask your partner, friends, or anyone you trust to help out. Make sure you get a nap when they do!
