STMs: The age old question...

dapoint23 · September 2015

So, most STMs will probably tell you that the bit of advice they hear the most in the beginning is "sleep when baby sleeps." I wanted to take a poll to see who can accomplish this or who tries to use that time to actually get something accomplished. There's also the third option of attempting to sleep and failing at both that and getting anything done!

mamavbs · September 2015

Lol I love the third option. Very realistic. I usually sit there thinking about what to do and by the time I get up to do it- kid's awake and it's time to start again!

shellperry · September 2015

Agree with pp I think I managed to do laundry lol

Squirtgun · September 2015

I am a special snowflake. I always slept while baby slept in the mornings, used the time to get things done in the afternoons.

AshleeM7784 · September 2015

What do you mean by "when baby sleeps"? Some people have babies that sleep?? Kidding, but my son really didn't take "naps" until he was around 8 mos. he'd drift off to sleep for 10 or 15 mins here and there, but sleeping when he slept was really not an option. When he did drift off I'd usually try to sneak in a quick shower or grab a bite to eat. Life got much easier when nap time finally clicked for him around 8 mos. I'm really hoping this LO is a better sleeper!

dapoint23 · September 2015

This reminds me... anyone with at least 2 kids.... did they ever sleep at the same time?

MargaretC5 · September 2015

I have the amazing skill of being able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime when tired and the only thing that wakes me up is DS crying or alarm/beeping. Best skill every when you have a newborn. Needless to say I slept when the baby slept.

elbou · September 2015

@dapoint23 Yes, my girls were both great nappers, and would nap around the same time...but that didn't start right away and only lasted up until my oldest started school. DS never really had a shared naptime because of the age difference...DD2 was over naps by the time his were predictable.

As far as the poll...I did occasionally get a nap while DD1 was napping, but I have a hard time falling asleep during the day so it was a rare occurrence. I didn't feel the need to nap as much with DD2 or DS, so I picked the third option, because nap time was me-time...not chore time!

dapoint23 · September 2015

elbou said:
@dapoint23 Yes, my girls were both great nappers, and would nap around the same time...but that didn't start right away and only lasted up until my oldest started school. DS never really had a shared naptime because of the age difference...DD2 was over naps by the time his were predictable.
As far as the poll...I did occasionally get a nap while DD1 was napping, but I have a hard time falling asleep during the day so it was a rare occurrence. I didn't feel the need to nap as much with DD2 or DS, so I picked the third option, because nap time was me-time...not chore time!

I agree about the me time.... I know I should sleep but I also really want to watch a show where somebody curses and not have to turn it off immediately!

lyankowi · September 2015

When I went back to work part time I would sometimes get a cat nap in while the baby slept but I was a mom that should of put baby down for a nap but didn't, so there definitely things I could of been doing but I was wasting time watching TV or on my phone. When I was on maternity leave I would sleep when the baby slept usually.

Cook3133 · September 2015

My oldest 2 took at least one nap at the same time for a few months but that didn't last long. My 2nd stopped taking naps at like 2. Now I have 3 and option 3 pretty much fits

nano1 · September 2015

I've been taking naps with our son since being pregnant, but only on the days I'm not working. Before I was pregnant I would get stuff done while he napped.

Lauren0813 · September 2015

For the first couple of weeks I'm usually so tired I can sleep when baby sleeps, and my hubby is home with me to do everything else! After that I usually do all my "chores" while baby sleeps

Lynnbirds4 · September 2015

I don't think I ever napped when my son was first born...or now! It was my time to get things done...or, like you said, do nothing at all and get caught up on your DVR. However, I will add that my son was sleeping through the night by 6 weeks, so that probably helped! Now I am wishing and hoping that #2 likes sleeping as much!

Elyse1384 · September 2015

Yeah so DS did NOT sleep for the first 3 months unless I was holding/bouncing him the entire time. Didn't get much done. On the rare occasion when he did sleep, by the time I completed one item on my "to do list" he was awake again.

lopezalonso · September 2015

DD has been napping for 2 hours... Me? cleaned and organized the fridge, did two loads of laundry, researched LASIK, and am now trolling the bump. I'm so tired but wakefulness is more fun. Time for another cookie and some folding.

VexedMommy · September 2015

Elyse1384 said:

Yeah so DS did NOT sleep for the first 3 months unless I was holding/bouncing him the entire time. Didn't get much done. On the rare occasion when he did sleep, by the time I completed one item on my "to do list" he was awake again.

Did you ever look into baby wearing? My DD had horrible acid reflux (Exorcist style vomit after almost every meal) and needed to be upright or mostly upright in order to sleep well. Whenever I put her in a carrier and went for a walk, did dishes, swept up, or anything else she was out like a light.

maiatene · September 2015

I always slept when the baby slept. What helped me is I prepped thing when the baby was awake and broke tasks up over the course of the day instead of trying to do everything at once.

Elyse1384 · September 2015

VexedMommy said:

Elyse1384 said:

Yeah so DS did NOT sleep for the first 3 months unless I was holding/bouncing him the entire time. Didn't get much done. On the rare occasion when he did sleep, by the time I completed one item on my "to do list" he was awake again.

Did you ever look into baby wearing? My DD had horrible acid reflux (Exorcist style vomit after almost every meal) and needed to be upright or mostly upright in order to sleep well. Whenever I put her in a carrier and went for a walk, did dishes, swept up, or anything else she was out like a light.

I tried that and sadly no such luck with DS. He was VERY difficult for the first 3 months, but gradually improved as his GI issues subsided. I'm praying this LO is easier in that regard, but I got lucky because DS has been a great baby/toddler ever since.

vongxay31 · September 2015

That what I do as well. I would do couple things in a day.

Pontot31 · September 2015

I always tried to sleep for one of her naps and get stuff done during the other. Baby wearing helped to get things done when she was awake and wanted to be held too.

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