I love my kids but I'm running on fumes. Baby is 4 months old and still not sleeping well at night. Wife and I are splitting shifts but I'm still only getting maybe 4-5 hours broken up sleep. Then I have to show up and be sharp at work. I'm forgetting things, I'm irritable, and I feel like I'm failing at both being a good dad and a good employee. Tell me this gets better?
4 months is still brutal sleep stage. My second kid didn't sleep through until 6 months and I was running on empty. Have you talked to your pediatrician? Sometimes there's stuff like reflux that makes it harder. Also do you get any nights off where your wife takes the baby?
Four months in and you're still standing, that's a win. With three kids I learned the key is lowering your expectations for everything else - work, house, yourself. Just survive and sleep when you can.
Dude, I feel this in my soul. Two preschoolers here and I'm basically a zombie right now. You're doing better than you think you are, even if it doesn't feel like it at 3am.
Man, 4 months is brutal. I remember those days with my first, running on nothing but coffee and desperation. The good news is it does get better soon, just gotta survive a few more weeks.
The espresso life is real at that stage. Honestly you might just be in the thick of it right now. It does get better but I know that doesn't help when you're exhausted. Is there any way to share night duties with your wife or partner so you each get longer stretches of sleep?
Have you tried white noise machine or anything like that? Our third slept way better once we had the room set up right. Also honestly if you can afford it, even one or two nights a week with a night nanny or family member helping could help you survive until things improve.
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You're not alone. That newborn-plus-work combo is legitimately one of the hardest things I've done. 4 months though means you might be getting close to the corner. Some kids just take longer to sleep well. In the meantime, be gentle with yourself. You're doing hard stuff.