Sleep Shifts: Our Secret Weapon for Surviving New Parenthood

Let’s talk about sleep, or lack thereof.

Because let’s face it, when you become a parent, sleep becomes a luxury you rarely enjoy. We know, we know, it’s a cliche, but it’s also 100% true. When our little one arrived and we brought her home, it only took us a few nights to realize that the traditional way of the bedside bassinet and tag teaming throughout the night was just not gonna work for us.

That’s when we decided to try sleep shifts in separate rooms of the house. Here’s how we did it:

• We set up a changing station and diaper bag next to the couch in our living room
• Baby’s bassinet stayed downstairs next to the couch
• My wife would pump some breast milk or mix formula into a few bottles for me to feed baby throughout my shift
• Whoever was on baby duty would stay downstairs to put baby to sleep and, if we were lucky, could doze off on the couch for a bit in between feedings and wake ups.
• The other would go upstairs and sleep in our bedroom with the door closed
• After roughly 4-5 hours, we’d trade places

Sounds simple, right? Well, it’s not exactly a magic cure-all, but for those like us where good sleep can be the difference between a happy marriage or a ticking time bomb, it’s a game-changing system. This system still works well for us even after I (the husband) returned to work after paternity leave.

We know what you’re thinking: “Easier said than done.” Trust us, we get it. Those first few weeks are a blur of feedings, diaper changes, and endless crying. But hear us out. Even stealing a few hours of uninterrupted sleep can make a world of difference. You’ll feel less like a walking corpse and more like a functioning human being.

Now, we’re lucky enough to have a house with a separate floor, but don’t worry if you live in a cozy apartment. You can still make it work. Just close the bedroom door and pretend you’re on a really long, silent retreat.

We’re not saying sleep shifts are a permanent solution. Your baby will grow and their sleep patterns will change. But in those early, crazy months, they can be a lifesaver. So, give it a try. You might just find that it’s the sleep hack you’ve been searching for.

Sweet dreams!