There are many changes that occur when a baby enters your life. The hardest change, I've found, is definitely the sleep factor. Learning to cope with continuous sleep deprivation is one of the hardest learning curves one encounters as a new parent. Sure there's poopy diapers, baby puke, even times of ceaseless crying, however, if you've ever taken on the role of "babysitter", you've most likely encountered any, if not all, of these sides that come with a baby. The one thing babysitting doesn't prepare you for are the 2am feeds, the 4am crying for no reason, the 5am feeds, the 6:30am diaper changes etc. Your whole world changes when you suddenly lose those solid 8 hrs of sleep you once took for granted. When someone says "I slept like a baby", they obviously have never had a baby. Cause babies wake up ALL THE TIME! To sleep like a baby must mean you had a horrible sleep. :)
I look back over the past 5 months of being a mom, and am impressed with how one adapts to life's changes. I remember a time in my life when I needed at LEAST 8 hours of sleep to even function on a semi-awake level, and that was accompanied with a beautiful, delicious, strong coffee. Now I rejoice if I get a couple 3 hour stretches of uninterrupted sleep. Anything more then that, and I'm just spoiled! Now pair that with a baby who is sensitive to caffeine, and you have a mother who sleeps on average about 6 hours a night, in two or three stints, so never fully hitting that so needed REM sleep, then starts the day without any legal stimulants. It's no wonder we moms have dark circles under our eyes, have no desire to go for that run we've been meaning to for the last 3 months, that our house is in shambles, that it's mac and cheese for supper and we sleep when baby sleeps. There's been times when I've often wondered if I should be driving, how I would survive the day, would life ever get better? Would I ever sleep again? Indeed the body is a miraculous wonder and as the days progress one becomes accustomed to the new sleeping patterns thrust upon you. Where I once needed those solid 8 hours, I now feel like a new woman if I get those two 3-4 hour stretches. I have energy and can smile. If there's no other proof on earth that there is a God in Heaven, then this is it.
One other thing I've discovered is that God really uses those sleepless nights to bring out the hidden things of the heart to deal with them. Who knew intense frustration and anger could reside hidden inside me. But let me tell you, at 3am, when you're tired out of your mind, half asleep, trying to sooth a crying baby who is inconsolable and won't go back to sleep, that frustration and anger creeps forth from it's lair ready to pounce. I believe that's why God made babies cute. Because one small smile from them, and all anger dissipates and fades to nothing. You find yourself kissing their little forehead and whispering "I love you". Although, even then, it's still maddening when your baby finally falls asleep, you lay them down, and as soon as your head hits the pillow….they wake up. And this cycle continues for an hour or so.
In the early stages of a babies life, there is a great chance that they will have their days and nights mixed up. This is annoying as you are extra tired those first few weeks after having gone through labour and all you want to do is sleep for the next year. There is one old wives tale that I was told and in my desperation for sleep and willingness to try anything, decided "why not!" You swaddle your baby, hold them so their feet are towards you and their head is away from you. Then at midnight you slowly rotate them once, counter-clockwise. It's supposed to "re-set" them, like you would re-set a compass. Well, I kid you not, I tried it with Lalaith and from that night on we had no more problems with her day and night mix up. She still woke up through the night to eat and what not, but she always slept at night and was more awake during the day. It sounds crazy but I say, don't knock it till you try it. :)
A baby will change their sleeping habits so quickly, you really never know what to expect. One night they'll sleep 7 hours straight and you think, "yes! I've arrived!" Only to have them wake up every hour the following night. They finally get into a sleep routine, and then they start teething and all goes awry. They start napping better and go down with ease, then one day they start fighting you every time you try to put them to sleep. One can try this or that to train and create routine, but all-in-all, those darn cute babies keep you on your toes.
To sleep or not to sleep: That really is the question….every single night
till next time
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