Parenthood sure comes with its fair share of warnings and less sleep in parents tops the list. But even if you think it won't happen (or isn't a big deal), at some point all parents will find themselves up in middle of night tending to their little ones. Whether for an upset tummy or teething pains. The truth is, lack of sleep can have real effects beyond just feeling groggy. From low energy levels and weakened decision making skills, to difficulty bonding with your baby over time! So how does less sleep affect parents, let`s read ahead.

Sleep deprivation can be a real challenge to confront—especially when your little one's up crying in the middle of the night or has come down with an illness. It doesn't feel like there could ever possibly be enough energy for getting through tomorrow. But unfortunately (though hopefully temporarily!) no quick fix exists. All that's left is mustering strength and pushing forward as best you can!

What is sleep deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is the lack of sufficient rest - whether it's a short-term or longer issue, your physical and mental health may suffer.

How does lack of sleep affect parents?

When you're not getting enough sleep, this will affect you in many ways. From you being more easily irritated to having trouble concentrating and making decisions. And that doesn't even cover all of the dangers posed by increased accident risk due to reduced alertness! Not getting enough sleep can have major impacts on both your physical and mental well-being. With less shut eye, you're not as patient or able to make good decisions. Plus, it's harder for parents to keep up with their day-to-day responsibilities. Sleep deprivation is real and just doesn't cut it when it comes time to be mom or dad! Better catch those ZZZs today for healthier parenting tomorrow!

How can you avoid being sleep deprived?

Finding the time for adequate rest can be a challenge. Keeping your energy up with little ones around isn't easy, but there are some things you can do to get a better night's rest, especially when you have little ones in your life. But with some planning and self-care, it's totally doable!

1. Creating consistent bedtime routines is key - this helps kids (and parents!) wind down each night and get ready to sleep.

2. Try setting aside quiet "down time" during the day that allows everyone to recharge their energy levels. So everyone has their own space to decompress or catch some zzzs without interruption.

3. Additionally, remember not neglect yourself: make sure you're eating healthily; exercising regularly; doing activities which help de-stress like yoga or meditation. Taking those steps will ensure both your children AND you are well rested at all points of the day!

4. Set and stick to a bedtime routine for the kids—it'll help them (and you) relax at the end of the day. Taking care of those needs will make all other sleep struggles seem much shorter in comparison!

Sure, being sleep-deprived may not be a walk in the park (especially when you've got young kids running around!), but it has its perks. When you finally do get to catch some z's, that sleepy bliss feels like pure magic! It makes those good times that much sweeter; when you finally get to rest after days or weeks without enough shut-eye, it feels extra rewarding.

Not only does lack of shut eye help us appreciate life’s little moments more — things we might normally take for granted become delightful gifts instead. We also become pros at multitasking—which is oh so necessary for parenting! So if exhaustion starts hitting hard now – just remember: teenager years are still ahead… Buckle up folks and enjoy those precious REM cycles while they last! As they say: no pain, no gain…so bring on the all nighters!

Being a parent can often mean lacking sleep, which is no fun! Being aware of the effects that chronic lack of rest has on our parenting abilities and taking proactive steps to make sure we're at full capacity, is essential. Lack of sleep can be annoying, sure, but what many parents don't realize is that it can have a serious impact on their parenting skills. Don’t let chronic fatigue get the best of you. If your baby has been keeping you up all night and doesn’t seem to want nap time – reach out for help!

If you find yourself struggling with sleeplessness ensueing from your little one's overnight behavior - don't stress! I'm here for you.

BOOK in for a free evaluation so we can identify what might be going wrong and come up with an actionable plan.

Don't worry – many mamas (and dads!) are in this boat together.

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For the love of sleep ...

Divya