Even though I am on baby #4, you really forget first of all how small newborn babies are and also how hard it can be with having no sleep. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love being a mom and most of the time I enjoy having a new baby in the house. But it does get harder the more you have. Maybe it’s because mine are so close together in age. Or maybe it is because I am working from home now. I just feel like I am being pulled in many different directions and sometimes I just don’t have the strength to do it all.
I have been on my own for the past few days for the first time since I got home with the baby. My husband was able to take 2 weeks off work and then when he went back to work, my mom came to help out. My mom left Friday morning. And of course, yesterday we got a couple inches of snow, so it was a snow day (no school). I had all 4 children home with me. And let me tell you, being a stay at home mom is a full time job in itself. But I also work from home in top of that. So, my day never stops.
Someone asked me the other day how I do it all and I responded by saying – “I am organized and try to keep on a schedule”. If I wasn’t like this, I am not sure I could do all that I do.
Last night was the hardest night that I had yet with the new baby. He was extremely fussy and wanted to eat every hour, but yet it took an hour to do the feeding, burping, and changing. By the time I thought we were done and he was sleeping, I laid down, and he would start fussing AGAIN. This happened all night long. I have to be honest that I started to get a little frustrated.
My policy has always been to never complain or think negative thoughts during those trying first few months of having a new baby. And it really has worked well. I often do the whole self talk thing, especially after those unexpected moments when the baby poops for the 3rd time in an hour, or the baby throws up all over my pajamas and I have to change, or how about when you are just about to fall asleep and another child gets up crying from a nightmare. Instead of getting upset or frustrated, I try to tell myself “It’s OK”. That is my famous line that makes me stay calm and keeps me focused on just doing what I need to do and with a good attitude.
My mom made a suggestion to me today that I wish I would’ve listened to. She was concerned that I did not get any sleep last night, so she told me to take it easy and have a restful day. She meant that I should stay away from the computer and cleaning and all the things I usually do. But, of course, I didn’t listen (sorry mom). But now that I look back I see that it is much easier to lose it without the proper amount of rest. And being a mom of 4 small children under the age of 5, is no easy task. So, if I have one bit of advice for you moms out there who are dealing with a newborn and sleep deprivation – Don’t try to do it all. Leave the mess for a day and take it easy! If not, you may risk falling apart when you least expect it. It is not worth it.
Yes, it was a rough night for me last night, but these days don’t last forever. Time goes by so fast and pretty soon this little baby #4 of mine will be running around and driving me crazy in other ways. 🙂
How about you? Any good ideas that have helped you to stay calm in spite of being sleep deprived with a newborn?
