So the hospital sends you home with a human and zero confidence. My son won't sleep unless he's on my chest and my wife is passed out. It's 2am and I'm terrified to move. Is this normal? How long does this last? Please tell me there's light at the end of this tunnel because I'm running on fumes and anxiety.
Two under two here and I'm right there with you. The contact napping phase is real. Everyone told me to put him down but honestly sometimes I just accepted it and held him. You're not losing it, you're surviving.
Have you tried the white noise machine? Game changer for us. Also don't stress about it, newborns sleeping on you is totally normal. Enjoy the cuddles while they last because one day they won't want to be held.
That chest sleeping phase is real but it won't last forever. Hang in there. What helped us was white noise and keeping the room dark. Also don't be afraid to tag out with your partner and get a few hours of sleep.
First week home is survival mode, not failure mode. You're not losing it, you're doing what every new dad does. The sleep deprivation is no joke. When does your wife go back to work?
That on-the-chest sleeping thing is so real. Have you tried the contact naps in shifts with your wife? Not sustainable long term but at least one of you might get some actual sleep.
Everyone feels like this. The hospital literally hands you a baby and says good luck, no manual included. It gets easier, I promise. And the sleeping on your chest thing? That's actually a thing for at least the first month or two.
You're not losing it, you're surviving one of the hardest weeks of parenting. Everyone feels like they have no idea what they're doing. Literally everyone. You're already doing better than you think.
Hang tough. Those first two weeks are the hardest. My wife swore by the white noise machine and keeping him swaddled. Might help you get some of that sleep depravation back.
Those first few weeks are brutal man. The sleep deprivation hits different. It gets better, I promise. Our son wouldn't sleep unless he was on my chest either. Around week 3 or 4 it finally started clicking.
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Dude, the first week is insane. My boys are older now but I remember that feeling of just holding them while they sleep because nothing else worked. You're doing better than you think. It gets easier, I promise.