The hardest thing about becoming a parent, as you probably know or have heard, is the sleeplessness. Before Kate was born in August we had heard the stories and the advice, like "sleep when the baby sleeps," but we really couldn't fathom what it actually was like.
You may have noticed new parents you know acquiring grey hair all of a sudden. I'm convinced it's not because of the stress, it's simply that you're awake more than twice as long and living two lifespans.
There are large chunks of time between bedtime and time-to-get-up that, if you really have support of a loved one, you can stay awake, praying for just five minutes of REM sleep. I know we went for at least a month each without a dream, and it really is unbelievable. Probably a lot like being in a foxhole, one eye always open, noise cutting through the peace and quiet just when it's your turn to go off duty.
While I'm sure we didn't do it "right", we have collected a few tips on how to maximize sleep, at least for my poor suffering wife, who needed it much more than I (the non-lactating one) did.
(more...)