Sleep deprivation is no joke

1w ago1 min read

Day 6 with newborn and I think I'm losing my mind. We're doing 3 hour feeding cycles which means I'm getting maybe 2 hours of broken sleep at a time. My wife is doing most of the night feeds since she's breastfeeding but I'm still up helping and honestly it's brutal. She's had it worse obviously but I had no idea it would hit me this hard. Does anyone have tips for surviving this phase without going insane? And when does it get better?

7 comments147 views

Comments(7)

RRick M.Regular1w ago

This passes, I promise. I'm 6 months in and I thought I was legitimately going insane around day 5-7. Your brain will recalibrate and suddenly you'll survive on fragments of sleep. In the meantime, lower all your expectations about everything else.

OOmar S.Regular1w ago

Dude I'm right there with you, my son is 8 weeks old and I still remember those early days like a fog. The 3 hour cycles feel endless but one day you'll look back and realize you made it through. Hang in there.

BBrandonRegular1w ago

Day 6 is brutal man, you're in the thick of it right now. It gets better I promise, but those first couple weeks are honestly survival mode. You're doing great just by being present and showing up for those feedings.

HHarvey L.Regular1w ago

That's the hardest part right there, those first couple weeks. With three kids I can tell you the sleep deprivation does eventually end and your brain will start working again. You're not losing your mind, you're just in new dad mode.

LLuke M.Regular1w ago

The mental fog is real. I remember my wife asking me what I wanted for dinner and I couldn't remember what food even was. Day 6 is right in that dark tunnel where you can't see the light yet. It gets better when the feeding extends to 4 hours. Hang in there.

NNolan D.Regular1w ago

Day 6 is brutal. You're in the worst part right now but it genuinely does get better around week 3-4 when the feeding stretches out a little. The 3 hour cycles are soul crushing. How's your support system? Do you have someone who can take a 2 hour shift so you can actually sleep?

RRandy M.New Dad1w ago

That 3 hour cycle is no joke. One thing that saved me was having my wife or a family member take one of the nighttime feedings so I could get one longer sleep block. Even 4 hours straight is better than broken 90 minute chunks.