When I was pregnant with my first DC 4 years ago, sleepless nights didn't really figure. People kept telling me to make the most of uninterrupted nights and lay ins but fool that I was, I assumed my DS would be sleeping through from 2 months (thanks GF - book went in bin after one week).
Therefore it was a shock when he needed feeding every 2 hours and I'll readily admit the first 6 weeks nearly broke me and my DH.
Of course over time he slept much better and at nearly 4yrs old, he goes to bed without much fuss but will usually wake at least once a night calling for me or my DH but it's cope-able I suppose.
When I had my DD last year, I was absolutely dreading the sleepless nights but she was a great sleeper from the word go. It's only in the last few weeks that it's all gone to pot. I was up for hours last night and then her crying woke my DS - you get the picture.
My DH is brilliant and we share the load but I don't think I've had an uninterrupted night's sleep for at least a year. To be fair, nor has he.
I know this is part of being a parent and I know all the sleep training methods but the lack of decent sleep is killing me.
On the odd occasion when I do get a decent night's kip, I feel like a different woman the next day. I'm full of energy, I'm optimistic about life and feel great.
But on a bad day I just feel dreadful and I dread the nights. It's brilliant if they sleep well, awful if they don't. I reckon physically, I've aged 10 years! My skin certainly looks like it despite eating reasonably healthily and looking after myself.
We had sort of discussed having a third but there's no way I can cope with another few years of bad sleep and nor can my DH. It probably sounds over dramatic doesn't it?
I'm not saying if I'd known all this I wouldn't have had children but I don't think I realised how much I value my sleep. Tell me it gets better.