Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" ~Joni Mitchell
Or maybe, you knew what you had, but you thought you would never lose it?
At the time, I thought carrying twins to term was the hardest thing I had ever done. Silly me! The hardest thing I have ever done is caring for two tiny infants who slept at different times and wanted to eat around the clock. Months 1-3 were purely survival for everyone, our dog included.
I was almost unable to care for them some days. The lack of sleep drove my anxiety and potential postpartum depression through the roof. Studies show that sleep deprivation and PPD/PPA are linked. Because I wasn't getting ANY restorative, deep sleep I was emotional, groggy, and even unable to drive a car some days. I literally felt impaired.
I have learned that children are no different.
Their growing brains need food. Brain food = SLEEP
Children and babies who are sleep deprived are all the things I have described above and more. They are unable to handle their emotions, they have decreased appetite and their gross motor skills can suffer.
Finding sleep and making it a priority truly is one of the best things you can do for your family!
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