World Sleep Day and Mother’s Day: A Tribute to the Sleep-Deprived Mammies
Regan Kelly
Today (March 13) is World Sleep Day, and this coming Sunday is Mother's Day, and at the moment, it seems as if these two days now go hand in hand.
Three months ago, my life changed; I was lucky enough to become a father for the first time, and while I adore every minute with my son, it is only now that I realise how important sleep is.
Like most young people, in my teens and early twenties, sleep was somewhat of an afterthought; late nights out, video games, phones and TV often took priority.
Somehow, the next day, there was an invisible energy bank my body was using, and the lack of sleep made little difference to how I went about my day.
With a new baby in the house, sleep has become an important pillar of my partner’s and my lives.
We often heard the phrase “sleep when the baby does” during pregnancy and in those early weeks, but it really does make sense to us now.
Even though it is hard, making sure we get some rest has massive benefits for how we can care for our son the next day.
Although we are in the throes of it now, these early days of being a parent have given us food for thought for the rest of our lives on how we should prioritise sleep.
A good night's sleep for us, as adults, is a privilege and can help us, but for our son, it is essential.
The importance of sleep for him is not lost on us. The HSE recommends an average of 14 hours of sleep for a baby of his age, and he has no problem letting us know when he doesn't get it.
As a man, I am tired, but I'll survive. The real struggles exist for our mammies, and I am lucky enough to witness the superpowers that my partner possesses when it comes to our son.
Not just tired, but exhausted, and in pain, she somehow finds the energy to soothe him. When it’s 3.52 am, and she has been awake for what feels like days, it's nothing short of amazing that she can make him feel better, without a second thought about herself.
She still finds the energy to make bottles, change him, and clean our house, and while all this is happening, I am often still snoring in bed.
For the day that’s in it, where we can, let's aim to help our mammies get some sleep, or have some time for themselves, as they do so much for us, rarely asking for anything in return.
Although new mammies are often bombarded with advice, some friendly tips can always help, especially when we are in the midst of this beautiful yet crazy time in life.
Take it slow: everything else can be sorted out later once the baby is taken care of. Get some sleep; the dishes can wait.
Do what you can while they are awake: When they are awake during the day, like when they are having tummy time or sitting in their bouncer, do the dishes then.
Stay calm: no matter how hard it is, try not to overreact. When it’s the early hours of the morning, and they won't stop crying, just remember: babies cry, it will be okay.
Getting them comfortable: Make sure they have a nice, full belly before bed, tucked in with their favourite blanket.
She offered one final piece of advice that affects me: “If all else fails, make sure daddy does the night shift. So I can get a good night's sleep for once!”