Sleep Deprivation as a New Parent

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Sleep Deprivation as a New Parent

The newborn stage is beautiful, emotional, tender... and undeniably exhausting. Your world changes overnight, and suddenly your days and nights revolve around feeding, soothing, diaper changes, and learning this brand-new little person. In the middle of caring for your baby, it’s easy to forget that you matter too.

Sleep is an important part of postpartum recovery. Your body is healing, your hormones are shifting, and you’re adjusting physically, mentally, and emotionally to life with a baby. Even small stretches of uninterrupted rest can make a difference in how you feel day to day. When parents are supported and able to recharge, they often feel more present, more confident, and better able to enjoy these early months of new parenthood.

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What “Drowsy But Awake” Actually Means

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What “Drowsy But Awake” Actually Means

At some point after having a baby, usually when you’re already tired and Googling things you never thought you’d Google, you come across the phrase: “drowsy but awake.”

And you might think “Oh, let me try doing that to see if it helps my baby sleep better.”

And truthfully, it sounds like a simple, almost reassuring direction… like there’s this middle ground you’ll be able to find that will magically get your baby sleeping more soundly.

Then you try it…

Your baby is fed, warm, calm in your arms. Their eyes close, their body softens, and you think, okay, this must be it. You gently place them in the crib…

…and their eyes pop open like you just hit a reset button.

Now they’re wide awake. Or frustrated. Or both.

And you’re left standing there thinking, what am I missing?

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How to Get More Sleep with a Newborn

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How to Get More Sleep with a Newborn

There’s a very specific kind of tired that hits after you have a newborn.

It’s not just “I didn’t sleep well.” It’s the kind where your body feels heavy, your brain feels foggy, and even simple decisions take more effort than they should.

I remember talking to a mom who said, “I thought I understood what people meant when they said you’d be tired, but I didn’t realize it would feel like this.”

And that’s the part about new motherhood that no one really truly understands until you’re in the middle of it. It’s not simply the night wake-ups. It’s the broken sleep. The starting and stopping all night long and never quite dropping into a deep, restful state before you’re needed again.

So if you’re in that place, wondering how you’re supposed to function like this, you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not doing anything wrong. This is simply what postpartum looks like.

Yes, it can be challenging, but I’m here to share that there are ways to make it feel more manageable!

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How to Use Your Maven Benefits for Postpartum Doula Support in Metro Detroit

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How to Use Your Maven Benefits for Postpartum Doula Support in Metro Detroit

If your employer offers benefits through Maven Clinic, there’s a good chance you have more postpartum support available to you than you realize.

Most people think of Maven as virtual care. Messaging a provider. Booking a quick consult. Getting questions answered at odd hours. And yes, it does all of that. But depending on your coverage options, it can also help provide something much more hands-on: postpartum doula support.

With the support of a daytime or overnight postpartum doula, you can receive in-home help during those early weeks when everything is new, your body is recovering, and you’re navigating new parenthood.

Families across Metro Detroit, including Ann Arbor, Novi, Troy, Lansing, Grand Blanc, and Flint are starting to use these benefits in a different way. Not just for advice, but for real support in their homes.

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Detroit Doulas & Carrot Benefits

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Detroit Doulas & Carrot Benefits

If you’ve been searching for birth or postpartum doula support in Michigan, and you have Carrot Fertility benefits through your employer, there’s good news: you can easily find and hire a doula who qualifies for Carrot benefits using our doula matching service!

That means more families across Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and the surrounding Metro Detroit and Mid-Michigan areas can access high-quality doula care with financial support from their employer. And honestly? That’s a huge deal for new parents who want expert support without the stress of covering everything out of pocket.

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Why Your Baby Wakes Up All Night (and What You Can Do About It)

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Why Your Baby Wakes Up All Night (and What You Can Do About It)

You finally get your baby down, tiptoe back to bed, and… thirty minutes later, they’re up again.

If you feel like your nights are just a never-ending cycle of feeding, rocking, and shushing, you are not alone. In fact, it’s normal for newborns to wake up frequently in the early weeks and months. That doesn’t make it any easier when you’re completely exhausted, your partner has to be up for work, and you can barely remember what day it is.

At Detroit Dreams Tonight, we support Metro Detroit families through those sleepless nights with compassionate, expert care and we’re here to share more about why your baby might be waking up so often… and what you can do to make nights a little smoother for everyone.

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5 Signs It’s Time to Hire an Overnight Doula

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5 Signs It’s Time to Hire an Overnight Doula

You love your baby. You really do. You’re ecstatic to be a parent and you’re feeling so thankful.

But you’re so, so tired. You’re the kind of tired that doesn’t allow you to see straight. The kind of tired that you feel in your bones.

The nights feel endless, your days blur together, and even the simplest tasks, like showering or remembering what day it is, feel impossible.

If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to keep going like this, it might be time to bring in some help. That’s where an overnight doula comes in.

At Detroit Dreams Tonight, our team specializes in overnight postpartum & newborn care so you can get the rest you desperately need and show up as the parent you want to be. Not sure if you’re ready for that kind of support? Here are five clear signs it’s time to hire an overnight doula.

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The SNOO: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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The SNOO: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

As new parents, sleep can often feel like an elusive dream. Between feedings, diaper changes, and the never-ending cycle of soothing your baby, rest can seem out of reach. That’s where many parents find The SNOO smart bassinet to be a lifesaver. This smart bassinet makes promises to help your baby sleep better by automatically responding to their cries with soothing motion and sound. While it may sound like the perfect solution for exhausted parents, the truth is more nuanced. Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to using the SNOO, and why it's important not to rely on it as your only solution for sleep.

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When to Transition Your Baby Out of the Bassinet

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When to Transition Your Baby Out of the Bassinet

As your baby grows, their sleep needs and abilities change. One of the first major milestones in your baby’s sleep journey is when it’s time to transition them out of the bassinet and into a crib. While this is an exciting step, it can also be a tricky one. It’s essential to know when your baby is ready for this change and how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Here are some key signs that it’s time to transition your baby out of the bassinet, along with expert tips to help guide you through this important step in your baby’s sleep journey.

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Cracking the Code on Newborn Sleep: What You Need to Know

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Cracking the Code on Newborn Sleep: What You Need to Know

Newborn sleep can feel like a mystery for new parents. You know your baby needs it, but figuring out how to get them to sleep well? That’s a whole different ballgame. Most of the time, it comes down to a lack of information about what newborns actually need and not understanding the science behind it. Let’s break it down.

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Are sleep training and 'cry it out' the same thing?

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Are sleep training and 'cry it out' the same thing?

The world of baby sleep can be a maze of conflicting advice and approaches, leaving sleep deprived parents feeling overwhelmed and uncertain how to help their babies get the best sleep possible. Two terms that often arise in discussions about baby sleep are "sleep training" and "cry it out." But are they truly synonymous? Or are there nuances that differentiate the two?

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Surviving the Witching Hour: 6 Tips for New Parents in Metro Detroit

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Hey, exhausted parents - are you in the thick of the newborn witching hour? If so, let's talk.

Oh that lovely nightly ritual where your sweet angel baby turns into a tiny tyrant, wailing their lungs out, leaving you feeling like you've stumbled into a sleep-deprived horror show. I’ve been there. And if you're in desperate need of some serious shut-eye, maybe it's time to call in the cavalry – a postpartum doula or sleep consultant – because let's face it, you deserve some damn sleep!

If you’re a new parent know this: the witching hour is a universal struggle. Newborns don't come with manuals, and navigating the intense evenings and sleepless days and nights can feel like you're drowning. But there's hope. With the right strategies and a bit of grit (just like Detroit does!), you can turn the witching hour into something more manageable. So, let's dive into my six essential tips to help you get through those tough hours and reclaim some peace in your home.

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Your baby doesn't "hate" sleep

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Your baby doesn't "hate" sleep

Be honest, are guilty of saying “my baby hates sleep”? As I sleep coach, I hear this WEEKLY!! I read regularly in Mom FB groups and get inquiries all the time with some form of this phrase. So many parents are convinced that their baby/toddler/child hates sleep or doesn’t NEED much sleep.

I hate to be the bearer of bad (or good?!) news, but children of all ages NEED sleep and WANT to sleep… often times they just don’t know HOW to sleep well on their own.

Helping an infant or toddler learn HOW to sleep is what we do and it looks differently for each child and family we work with. This can be accomplished in a variety of different ways and in my experience there is no “one size fits all” solution, but I’m here to share some great tips with you to get you started.

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Daytime Doula or Overnight Newborn Specialist? How to Find the Perfect Postpartum Support

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Daytime Doula or Overnight Newborn Specialist? How to Find the Perfect Postpartum Support

Your new baby is here! Hooray! Amidst the joy and snuggles, there are also a lot of challenges. Believe us, we’ve been there… sleepless nights, round-the-clock feedings, and the constant adjustment to a new normal can leave even the most prepared parents feeling a bit overwhelmed. That's where the support of a postpartum doula comes in, and here in Southeast Michigan, we're ready to help make your transition into parenthood as smooth as can be.

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Nurturing Your Postpartum Journey With a Postpartum Doula

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Nurturing Your Postpartum Journey With a Postpartum Doula

Welcoming a new baby into your life is an incredible experience that brings immense joy and excitement. However, it's essential to remember that the postpartum period, often called the "4th trimester," is a time of adjustment and recovery for both parents and newborns. Finding a compassionate and knowledgeable postpartum doula can provide invaluable support during this transformative phase of your parenting journey. Their expertise in postpartum recovery, baby care, and newborn care specialist ensures that you have the guidance and support you need as you navigate this special time in your life.

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3 Common Baby Sleep Myths

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3 Common Baby Sleep Myths

I don’t mess around when it comes to sleep and so when I hear these sleep myths being shared on Facebook Mom Groups or from well-meaning grandparents, I feel compelled to step in and set the record straight!

Sleeping too much during the day will negatively affect night sleep

No way, no how. NO. NO. NO. This myth is one that I hear SO frequently and it is the one that just makes me so upset.

Yes, newborns don’t have a developed circadian rhythm and can sleep more soundly during the day then at night. But once the circadian rhythm is established, consistent, well-timed naps will actually make night sleep better! If you’re keeping your baby up in the hopes that they’ll sleep better at night, all you’re doing is stressing your baby out and making them over tired, almost guaranteeing that they’ll sleep worse at night.

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6 Ways to Support Restful Sleep for Your Family

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6 Ways to Support Restful Sleep for Your Family

When I tell people I’m a Pediatric Sleep Coach, I often get the response “Can you teach ME how to sleep better?”

My answer: “Yes, but you might not like what I tell you to do!”

That always gets a few laughs, mostly because it’s true and adults cognitively recognize that they don’t prioritize sleep as much as they probably should. But, I give the advice just the same because you never know what’s going to resonate with someone. It’s always possible that a simple tip surrounding sleep hygiene or nighttime routines will click and improve someone’s quality of sleep.

For clients, I tailor my guidance for each family’s own needs, routine, and lifestyle, but in general, here are the 6 most significant ways you can support restful sleep for the whole family!

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Our 3 Favorite Bedtime Books

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Our 3 Favorite Bedtime Books

One of my biggest pieces of advice as a sleep coach is to establish a bedtime routine early in your child’s life (or even in utero!) and to stick with it throughout their childhood. Creating a bedtime routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple with a bath, maybe a little infant massage, and include 5-10 minutes of stories or sleepy songs depending on the age of your child. Picking 1-2 books for a bedtime routine with your infant is a good start.

Here are a few of our favorite bedtime stories that can enhance your family’s bedtime routine and help your little one drift off to a peaceful sleep.

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What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Delivery Day

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If your due date is drawing near, you’re probably thinking about getting your hospital bag ready to go. Packing your hospital bag well in advance will ensure you don’t forget any essential items at home on the big day — like your cellphone charger! That said, it’s also easy to go overboard and pack a lot of stuff you don’t need, adding unnecessary bulk to your bag. To help you keep it simple, Detroit Dreams Tonight shares some insights. Here’s everything you need to pack — and a few things that you don’t — for a comfortable stay in the hospital.

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How to survive sleep deprivation with a newborn

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The concept of exhaustion takes on a new meaning when you have a baby. New parents are often surprised at how tired they feel or comment that they were totally unprepared for how it would affect their mood and their overall lives. We’ve experienced first hand how difficult it can be to take care of yourself when your baby is waking to eat every 2-3 hours around the clock, but hopefully these tips will help you get some more shut yet until your baby’s development allows for longer stretches of sleep.

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