Confessions of a Pediatric Nurse–Turned–New Mom

Okay, I have a confession. When my first was born, I thought I was prepared. I’d been a pediatric nurse for seven years. I had changed thousands of diapers, wiped countless tears, and rocked more babies to sleep than I could count. Honestly? I was probably a little too confident.

The Diaper Moment That Made Me Laugh

When our daughter was only a few days old, my husband was changing her diaper. He casually asked, “How long do babies wear diapers?” I rolled my eyes: “At least two years.” How did he not know this?! The look of horror on his face made me burst laughter. How was he so unaware?

Then the Exhaustion Hit

A few days later, everything changed. I became extremely sleep-deprived, waking multiple times each night to nurse. As the exhaustion settled in, it felt endless. But wait! tThis is what I’d wanted my entire life. I’d dreamed of becoming a mom. So why were the first weeks so hard?

As a nurse in the pediatric ICU, I survived physically and emotionally challenging shifts by telling myself, “It’s only 12 hours. I can do anything for 12 hours.” But motherhood isn’t a 12-hour shift. It’s beautiful and relentless, and I wasn’t prepared for that. I remember thinking, “I can’t keep doing this. This is never going to end.” Was something wrong with me? Was I a terrible mother?

No, You’re Not a Bad Mom

Nothing was wrong with me, and nothing is wrong with you. My life had changed. Change is hard. We don’t talk enough about how brutal newborn sleep deprivation can be. Instead, moms hear unhelpful (and honestly, hurtful) advice like “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” or worse, “What did you expect? You knew what you were getting into.”

Let’s Stop the Shame

Somewhere along the way, society framed sleep deprivation as a badge of motherhood. We’re told to be grateful we’re not sleeping because it means we’re blessed with a child. I’m all for gratitude, but not for shaming moms who want proper sleep. Sleep supports wellness and children need parents who are happy and healthy. Let’s support moms, not expect martyrdom from them.

Our Turning Point

At four months, our pediatrician gave us the green light to sleep train. Through that process, and raising two kids, I learned a lot. If any of this brings one mom a bit of peace, I’ll be glad I shared.

1. Each child is different. What worked for your first may not work for your second. Babies are born with their own personalities. One may be happy and go-with-the-flow, napping anywhere. The other may need structure and a strict crib-only nap schedule. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong — it just means they’re human.
   
2. Some days (and nights) are harder than others. Even with the same habits and routines, some days will just feel brutal. Hang in there. Stay consistent. And remember: the days feel long, but the year will fly by.
   
3. It’s okay to ask for help. Exhaustion shouldn’t be worn as a badge of motherhood. Lean on your partner, family, friends, or neighbors. And don’t just ask for help — accept it when it’s offered. People don’t volunteer if they don’t want to; and if they do, that’s on them! Say yes when someone offers to hold the baby so you can nap. Your future self will thank you.
   
4. Perfection is not the goal. Some days you’ll feel like Mary Poppins, and other days you’ll feel like a hot mess (even though you’re not). Your kids love you fiercely on all of those days. I don’t know a single mom who isn’t trying her absolute best. Let’s give ourselves some grace.
   
5. It’s okay not to love every part of motherhood. I didn’t love breastfeeding. It felt awkward in public and left me feeling touched-out all the time. I missed having my body to myself. That didn’t make me a bad mom — it made me human. We put so much pressure on ourselves, and it only makes life harder.

Remember: you are exactly the mom your little one needs. They think you’re perfect. And while none of us are truly perfect, you are the perfect mom for your child. ✨

Ready for real rest?

Book a free 15-minute Sleep Assessment with me. We’ll look at your little one’s current routine, pinpoint what’s getting in the way of longer stretches, and outline your best next step, whether that’s a small tweak or a full plan.

In your free call, you’ll get:

• A quick review of your baby’s schedule, sleep environment, and routines
• 1–2 personalized recommendations you can start right away
• An honest sense of timeline and what progress could look like
• Clarity on whether working together is a fit (zero pressure, ever)

Book your free Sleep Assessment

Spots are limited each week so I can give each family the support they deserve.

Everyone deserves dreamworthy sleep. 💫