Hey Busy Mama

Any parent with an infant can attest to the trials of sleep deprivation that arises when raising one, especially during the first week when you’re simply trying to survive. The first night home from the hospital was oh so hard. If I thought my last trimester was filled with sleepless nights, I was certainly in for a rude awakening.

You know sleep deprivation has gotten a hold of you when you’re trying to burp anything other than your baby while half asleep – a stuffed animal, a pillow, a cellphone… As crazy as it seems, those scenarios happened to my husband and I during the first weeks as brand new parents. Looking back on it, I can laugh. During the time – not so much. In one scenario, I had nearly lost my grasp on reality as I picked up my childhood stuffed animal and screamed thinking I had deflated my child. Deflated my child. Is that even possible? My delirious mind seemed to think so.

I took to Facebook Groups to see if other parents experienced similar scenarios and sure enough, the response was overwhelming. One mama forgot to screw the lid on the bottle and the formula went everywhere as she tipped the bottle upside-down. Another posted a photo of her husband bottle feeding a baby’s cheek. Truly, becoming a mom has given me such a different perspective and appreciation for what it takes to be one.

As I am writing this, I am three months postpartum and attempting to keep my eyelids from slamming shut. My little one is currently going through his Wonder Week and three month sleep regression. It has been a crazy time of sporadic sleep patterns and constant interruptions. One thing I was told, a mantra if you will, is that “this too shall pass”. This very mantra has helped me get through some of the darkest times.

Mama, if you are currently going through and incredible amount of sleep deprivation, just know that “this too shall pass”. When your little one won’t stop crying, this too shall pass. When you’re drowning in a house that seems as though it’ll never feel stable again, this too shall pass. When you feel as though you are failing and doing nothing right, this too shall pass. FYI, you are not failing. You are learning one step at a time. Just remember, you are not alone. You’re amazing busy mama.