Late/slow risers - how difficult was it getting used to a new sleep routine?

[AfterBathingAtBaxters]

Hi, I have a question for those of you who tend to rise late/slow in the morning.

We're planning on having a baby soon and one of the things I always worried about is the change in sleep routine (not just right after birth but long-term). I know people say you get used to it but I do really love a lie in. Well, 'need' a lie in might be more accurate - I just don't get up early easily, and never have. On the flip side I have lots of energy in the evening.

It might be low blood pressure or just how my body works, but when the alarm goes off, I always take a while to get out of bed. It's worked for most of my life as I just set my alarm to fit around that extra time in the morning but I know that a baby won't wait until I'm ready.

How have you coped with that? Is the change in sleep routine as bad as I worry it might be?

Feminist10101, you and your baby sound like me and mine though mine is now 40. I note your daughter is in theatre productions, mine is a professional musician and works all sorts of odd hours, travelling from place to place here and abroad (or at least that is the case when there is not pandemic); I wonder if children with some artistic talents are just like that by nature.

Anyway it suited me and obviously suits you. We were able to get up to go to school/work.

@jessstan2

Feminist10101, you and your baby sound like me and mine though mine is now 40. I note your daughter is in theatre productions, mine is a professional musician and works all sorts of odd hours, travelling from place to place here and abroad (or at least that is the case when there is not pandemic); I wonder if children with some artistic talents are just like that by nature.

Anyway it suited me and obviously suits you. We were able to get up to go to school/work.

One of my parents was a professional musician. Often found in the wee small hours in the home recording studio “creating”. Or outside, with me, stargazing.

We were a musical household. My sibling has worked night shifts for about 12 years. Must be in the DNA.

@toomuchpeppapig

@toomuchpeppapig

I don’t think that’s true? They don’t all get up that early. I think you either get a good sleeper or you don’t. I went though the 430am phase at 12 months but I think it was from sharing a room. Hes 15 month old now & has been brilliant for the last 2 months. Sleeping 12-15 hours 7-730 or 7-10-30am yes it might change but it might not. I don’t sleep through without waking myself due to PND but I’m still getting a lot of sleep. I think it’s down to luck & if they can self settle.

I have three children and two were appalling sleepers for years ...
. My first was ok sleep wise, woke frequently until 1 years old but in retrospect that was ok. I agree with pp, I never adapted really, I found the lack of sleep and having to wake and be fully on very hard but I absolutely love sleeping and pre kids could easily sleep 10 hours a night.
With one child it’s all easy enough though , ours was also a very early riser and we are talking 5.30/6 and now at 9 he’s always awake at 6.30. It really, really doesn’t matter when he goes to bed, we have been relaxed over the summer re bedtimes for him and 8/9/10 pm etc, he’s up exactly 6.30 regardless.
Also I was 27 when I had him so definitely had more energy. I also found (with 1 child!) that you can snuggle in bed with a breastfed baby in the mornings but this is very short lived, mine were all very physically active by 10 months.
Me and my dh have been absolutely wreaked for years but now our youngest is three and finally sleeping through we are back to having epic sleeps again .
Good luck op , it’s wonderful having children but the bit about having no sleep for years was definitely true for us but now it’s zzzzzzzzzz all the way! Definitely never adapted to it though and feel so much better and normal now I get to sleep at night.