Sleep when baby sleeps

irishwife714

The "sleep when baby sleep" rule has been said to me many times.  Yet I can't seem to do it.  I have slept maybe 4 hours each day (and in small amounts at a time) that my week old baby has been home.  How many of you really follow that advice and how do you do it?

Itsjustlaur

Hahah! I couldn't do that until she was at least 2-3 weeks old. She didn't sleep long enough, and when she did, I had to clean the bottles for the next go around. It is hard advice to follow....

jkuhmann

I thought this would be easy to follow, but it's really not.  There's always something that can be done, or I don't feel sleepy, or I want to catch up on my "outside" life.  I'm running on about 4-5 hours of sleep a day.  I'm sure it will catch up with us soon and then it will be easier.

rjeller32

It's a great rule in theory, but I mean, c'mon, how many people ACTUALLY do it? As soon as my LO is asleep I am preparing for when she is awake again, or catching up on laundry, cleaning and catching up on my favorite shows. I may nap with her once a week, but I also have a 2 year old so it's pretty much impossible unless she is napping or sleeping for the night. It's only a short while that LO's are so demanding, and by the time they have a set schedule and everything, I am used to the lack of sleep, so it's like a reward to have them STTN.

LadyNikon

I never did.  I also tell people if they tell me it again I will deck them.  

Diver10

I do! At least with her first morning nap. Lol. She's a good sleeper though so I'm able to get maybe another hour? Then after the next feeding I get us ready for the day and then work on housework and/or run errands

kleigh926

I have major issues with this as well. I've always had trouble napping during the day, even when I'm exhausted. Plus, I get so stressed out about getting housework done that it's hard for me to even relax enough to sleep. And in the evening I hate napping because I want to spend time with DH. It sucks. Sometimes I hate my high strung personality.

JuliaBug

I did with DS. He had his days and nights confused at first, so I slept a lot during the day. That whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" thing doesn't work this time since I also have a toddler. I do nap when their naps coordinate though.

cmhicklin

JuliaBug:

I did with DS. He had his days and nights confused at first, so I slept a lot during the day. That whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" thing doesn't work this time since I also have a toddler. I do nap when their naps coordinate though.

No kidding!

With my first, I just couldn't nap, but I would go to bed earlier.  This time around, I would nap in a heartbeat, but that isn't an option. 

beckpreg

Ladynikon:

I never did.  I also tell people if they tell me it again I will deck them.  

This. I NEVER could manage it while I was on maternity. There was always something that I felt was a bigger deal to get done than a nap. And honestly, I dont see it changing with future kids either b/c the stress of laying there thinking "all this needs to get done" wont allow me to relax enough to fall asleep so its not gonna happen for me.

MrsBigTime

I never really felt like I needed to. I do try to sleep in or at least stay in bed an snooze every morning. I think that's what has saved me.

Kingston54

I didn't do it with DS and I definitely don't/can't do it with DD.  Now I can't because DS is up all day - he takes a nap and she usually sleeps when he does but I use that time in the afternoon to either relax or catch up on stuff around the house.  I don't think it's possible to sleep when the baby sleeps unless you're a really good sleeper.  For me, I've tried and by the time I can fall asleep - it's just not worth it.

ArmyWife114

Ladynikon:

I never did.  I also tell people if they tell me it again I will deck them.  

This is me as well.  I have the hardest time napping, and if I get a good nap during the day, I can't fall asleep at night.  It's a vicious cycle.  Everyone kept telling me "eventually" I'd be able to nap with him.  Okkkk...it's been almost 3 months and it still isn't happening....