Sleep disorders are associated with more parental stress - CNN

When I found out I was expecting my son a couple of years ago, it wasn’t the process of labor I was most terrified of — it was the sleep deprivation I knew I’d be facing with a newborn for months on end, without respite.

As a physician, I had spent a decade of my life working overnights, 30+ hour on-call shifts and nights of sleep broken by the cringe-worthy beeping of my pager.

Becoming a new parent meant, unlike those stretches of on-calls and overnight shifts in training, there were no periods afterward to just crash and catch up on rest.

You can try mindfulness meditation or sensory experiences like aromatherapy, candles, soothing music or warm soaks in the tub – or your version of what calms you down.

Practice coping skills in the moments that stress bubbles up, like deep breathing, calling a friend or distracting yourself with a mindful, routine activity (even a boring one, like folding laundry).

Whether it’s your primary care doctor, your child’s pediatrician, a therapist or a psychiatrist, if you’ve been stuck in the “no sleep” trap and it’s really taking a toll on your family’s health, make the appointment.