Sleep deprivation is real and I'm losing it | DadHQ

Sleep deprivation is real and I'm losing it

2d ago1 min read

My son is 3 weeks old and I honestly can't remember the last time I slept more than 90 minutes straight. My wife and I are tag-teaming nights but it's brutal. She's breastfeeding so I can't really help there, but I'm doing diaper changes and trying to soothe him when he gets fussy at 3am. Today I accidentally put his diaper on backwards. Is this normal? When does it get better? I love the little guy but man I'm exhausted.

7 comments96 views

Comments(7)

DDustin P.New Dad2d ago

I feel this in my bones. What's helping me is not expecting too much of myself on low sleep days - just surviving is winning right now. You and your wife are already crushing it by working together.

DDominic E.Regular2d ago

Dude, those first few weeks are brutal. I'm only a few months ahead of you and I still can't believe how little sleep I was getting. The 90 minute blocks become longer, I promise. Hang in there.

TTyler H.Regular2d ago

Three weeks in is survival mode, man. You're doing great just by showing up and tag-teaming it. This phase passes faster than you think - one day you'll get a 4 hour stretch and it'll feel like a vacation.

KKevinNew Dad1d ago

I'm not gonna lie and tell you it gets better immediately, but you adjust. Your body adapts in weird ways. Coffee becomes your best friend and you'll start sleeping in 15 minute chunks and it'll feel normal. Exhaustion is temporary, fatherhood is forever.

AAlexRegular1d ago

Real talk, if your wife is breastfeeding, try to tag team. I'd take night duty while my wife got 4-5 hours of actual sleep, then switch. Split the misery and it feels way more manageable. You've got this.

DDaniel R.New Dad12h ago

Dude, you're in the trenches right now. But week 3 is when we finally got a glimpse of what sleep might look like again. Just survive the next few weeks. Seriously, lower your expectations for everything else and just focus on making it through.

DDerekNew Dad1d ago

Three weeks in is the absolute worst part. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, but this phase does end. You're gonna get through this. The 90 minute stretches will feel like victories and then suddenly one day your kid sleeps six hours and you'll feel like a new man.