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Sleepless nights are something every new parent knows too well. The baby cries at midnight. Then again at two. Then four. You try to rest, but your body and mind stay on high alert. Sleep feels out of reach. Still, rest is not just something nice to have. It’s something you truly need.

Dr. Theresa Wee, in The Happy, Healthy Revolution, shares what many parents are afraid to voice out. Even as a pediatrician and mother of four, she hit a wall. Dr. Theresa Wee’s parenting and wellness tips come from real life and not just her clinic. Her experience helps parents take a breath, step back, and see that health includes them, too.

Why Sleep Is Not a Luxury

The moment you’re caring for a newborn, sleep can feel like the first thing to go. But losing sleep over time affects more than your mood. It affects your whole body. Memory slips. Energy drops. You might feel irritable. You may even feel numb. The sleep deprivation effects show up quickly and stay if not addressed.

Dr. Wee writes, “I began to experience a gradual decrease in my appetite, difficulty falling and staying asleep, loss of joy in most everything, and a feeling of an extremely heavy burden.” She was still seeing patients, still being a mom, and still pushing herself to keep going. But she wasn’t okay.

Her story conveys that even the strongest parents can reach their limit. And it’s okay to admit that.

When Sleepless Nights Affect the Whole Family

Parents often try to push through tired days, thinking it’s just part of the job. But when sleepless nights pile up, they don’t just wear down one person. The whole family feels it.

Dr. Wee saw this in her practice. “I personally witness this lack of time for recharging ultimately result in many marriages eroding, children with behavior and mental health problems, and confusion and chaos within the family unit.”

Lack of rest can lead to stress between partners. It makes it harder to connect with your child. It even affects your ability to think clearly and make good decisions. Rest is part of caring for your family, not separate from it.

Photo by Greg Pappas on Unsplash

A Simpler Approach to Sleep

Getting sleep with a newborn is never easy, but it can be better. The thing is, her solutions don’t demand expensive gadgets or hours of free time. As a matter of fact, they focus on daily habits that add up.

When it comes to improving sleep hygiene, her advice is basic but powerful:

• Stick to a regular bedtime, even for yourself.
• Keep your sleeping space dark and quiet.
• Put phones and screens away before lying down.
• Rest when the baby naps, even if the house is a mess.
• Let others help.
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For additional support, the Sleep Foundation offers helpful information on how new parents can manage sleep loss in the early months.

Dr. Wee writes, “At certain seasons in our lives, we have to accept help graciously and humbly.”

Honest Tips for New Parents

Dr. Wee and her husband raised four children while running two medical practices. She knows how fast life can spin. Her approach essentially revolves around doing what matters, even in miniature ways.

Here are a few tips for new parents to cope with sleep loss:

• Take turns with nighttime care, if possible.
• Avoid caffeine too late in the day.
• Keep meals simple and easy.
• Let go of trying to do everything “right.”
• Talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

One of the most helpful things she shares is this: involve the whole family. Even young children can help in small ways. She writes, “We discussed the importance of everyone contributing to the family and making contributions based on their age and abilities.” That exuberance of teamwork eases the pressure.

Moving Forward, One Step at a Time

What’s worth paying attention to in Dr. Wee’s story is not that she figured it all out. It’s that she didn’t give up. Even when she lost her husband and nearly lost her practice, she kept going. She built a new office. She started free walking groups for her community. She found healing through connection.

For parents going through sleepless nights, that message matters. You don’t need a full plan right now. Just take the next small step.

Dr. Wee puts it this way: “This simple program is a proven way to reap enormous benefits of better health for the entire household through small modifications.” That’s the depth of it. Better sleep. Better health. A stronger family.

The Happy, Healthy Revolution by Dr. Theresa Y. Wee is full of practical help for every kind of parent. Give yourself permission to rest. And if you need support, this book may be just what you’re looking for. Grab a copy today!