As an expectant mother, you’ve likely encountered the well-meaning advice to “sleep now while you can.” However, the idea of banking sleep seems impractical, especially when you’re struggling to find even a couple of uninterrupted hours of rest while your eight-month fetus is practicing its martial arts routine on your bladder.
Once your baby arrives, you may hear the classic line, “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” This advice, while well-intentioned, often feels impossible to follow.
I entered motherhood fully aware of the fatigue that awaited me. My partner and I anticipated the exhaustion that comes with caring for a newborn, and while we were indeed tired, we managed to navigate those early days surprisingly well. We didn’t have a clue what we were doing, but somehow, we made it through.
In those initial weeks, our days were filled with constant feeding, diaper changes, and the sporadic moments of sleep. We even found time for nutritious meals and the occasional shower, alongside strolls around our neighborhood, which often coincided with our baby’s unpredictable witching hour. Yes, we were tired, but we still felt somewhat human.
When our son was around a month old, we hosted a small gathering at home. To my astonishment, several guests remarked, “You look great! You actually appear rested.” The secret? Caring for a newborn pales in comparison to the whirlwind of activity that comes with a crawling six-month-old.
A few weeks before Christmas, I was on the floor wrapping presents while our son was engaged in tummy time. Suddenly, he hoisted himself onto his hands and knees, rocking back and forth. My husband and I exchanged glances—it was a pivotal moment. Our son began to inch forward.
Before we knew it, he was scooting across the carpet and attacking a roll of wrapping paper. Thus began our holiday season, marked by an endless cycle of cleaning up pine needles, rearranging ornaments, and rewrapping gifts.
As he mastered the art of army crawling, my son soon faced the staircase in our split-level home. I was in the kitchen, cooking dinner, convinced he was safe. I was mistaken.
I watched as he placed one hand, then the other, on the first step. My heart raced as he lifted his backside off the floor and stood. I rushed to support him as he climbed the entire flight of stairs on his first attempt. At the landing, he crawled to the front door and banged on it. Months later, it remains one of his favorite activities.
This milestone sent us into a panic. With crawling and stair-climbing came the inevitable tumbles. We found ourselves padding sharp corners and installing safety cushions around the house. His belly crawl quickly progressed to a full-on hands-and-knees sprint—he was into everything.
Now he climbs stairs, explores every nook and cranny, and even attempts to flush the toilet. The bathroom doors remain closed at all times, and I can hardly keep up with his adventurous spirit.
I thought I was tired when we first brought him home, but now? I am utterly exhausted. And just when I thought I had a handle on things, it seems he’s ready to take his first steps.
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In summary, the journey through parenthood is filled with unexpected challenges and delightful milestones. While the exhaustion may intensify as your child grows, the experience is equally rewarding.