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    New parent survival guide: sleep when baby sleeps is terrible advice

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    Anonymous

    5 months ago

    First-time parent of a 4-month-old here. "Sleep when baby sleeps" is the most useless advice because that's when you need to eat, shower, and maintain sanity. What actually helped us:\n\n1. Shifts with my partner (I do 8pm-2am, she does 2am-8am)\n2. A sunrise alarm clock for wake-ups instead of phone alarms\n3. Blackout curtains for daytime naps\n4. Accepting that 6 hours in two chunks is fine temporarily\n5. No screens during night feeds (audiobooks instead)\n\nWhat worked for other parents out there?

    2 Replies

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    Anonymous5 months ago

    The shift system saved our marriage. We did exactly the same split and it meant we each got a guaranteed 5-6 hour block. Also: invest in a GOOD rocking chair/glider for night feeds. We got a cheap one first and my back was destroyed.

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    Anonymous5 months ago

    Audiobooks during night feeds is GENIUS. I was scrolling my phone and the blue light was making it impossible to fall back asleep afterward. Downloaded Libby (free with a library card) and it changed everything.

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