Bringing home a new baby is one of life's most exciting milestones—but it can also be one of the most exhausting. Between nighttime feedings, diaper changes, and unpredictable sleep schedules, many new parents quickly discover that getting a full night's sleep becomes nearly impossible.
Sleep deprivation is a normal part of caring for a newborn, but that doesn't mean you have to simply suffer through it. While you can't eliminate overnight awakenings, there are strategies that can help you maximize the sleep you do get and protect your physical and mental health during the postpartum period.
Here's what every new parent should know about surviving those first sleep-deprived months.