Sleeping becomes the most important thing in the world, next to your baby, when you are caring for a baby! It becomes scarce most of the time and it is hard to catch up on it, once it is lost.

When my daughter came home, she had jaundice really bad and was on the bililite. This was the worst contracption ever but it helped her get better. The doctors told us that on top of dealing with this awful thing, we had to wake up every two hours to feed her so that it can push the jaundice out of her system. My fiancee and I hated the idea of losing so much sleep in the first few days let alone thinking about all that was going to be lost in the first few years! We each got up about every other time, moreso, me because I was pumping so often. We got thru it with alot of compromise. He was my angel, because he also took off the first week I was home to help and that was so great of him.

They do tell you that every time the baby lays down to sleep that you should do the same. This sounds like it would be simple enough, but I know I could not lay down when she did, I still have the same goals in mind, to clean the house, do the laundry and do everything to be like a supermom, but take my advice: LAY DOWN WHEN THEY DO! I ended up going on burnout and I cried for like three days, the sleeplessness finally caught up with me! Do not let this happen to you. I know everyone tells you things to do and you do not always listen, but this is valuable advice!

If you have your partner with you or someone else helping you care for the baby, this is a fantastic way to catch up on sleep. Every other Sunday I get to sleep in while my fiancee takes care of the baby! He puts her down at night and I get up with her in the morning. It works well because I have to get up earlier anyways. This always works for the best. Also, our parents watch her a good amount too and take her for some nights. It is so nice to have all the help! We can still lead our own lives as well as the family life.

Just remember to always compromise or else this can lead to huge arguments. Sleep when you can and know that it does not last forever!

Learn more about this author, Danielle B.
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