Running on Jesus and Energy Drinks

The nights when your baby just won’t sleep really push you to your limit. I don’t know if anyone else can relate, but my husband could sleep through a bomb going off and wouldn’t even flinch—so, night feedings? That’s all me. I don’t usually mind it. I can function okay-ish on very little sleep. But this week? This week has been rough.

Our little guy is still in a bassinet beside the bed—probably will be until I’m home full time. He’s never had an issue with it; in fact, he used to love just laying in it. But lately, bedtime has turned into an hour-long scream fest. We finally get him calmed down, but he won’t go in the bassinet unless he’s completely asleep—and even then, he might wake right back up screaming.

And to top it all off, he’s started waking up around 3 a.m.—wide awake—like it’s party time. At that point, I usually cave and let him lay in bed with me because I’m beyond exhausted. Co-sleeping was never my plan—not that I think there’s anything wrong with it—it just wasn’t what I envisioned for us. But here we are.

Needless to say, I’m running on Jesus and energy drinks right now. I love my little boy so much. When he smiles at me at 3 a.m., I melt. But I’m also still working full-time during the day, so I am dragging. Please tell me I’m not alone in this? Someone out there has to have tips, right? Or maybe we’re all just surviving—especially with our first baby. That’s honestly how it feels: surviving, not thriving.

I’ve always joked that my life motto is “I’m just winging it” which is kind of ironic considering I have anxiety and you’d think I’d be more of a planner. But that’s a whole other post.

No one hands you a manual when you leave the hospital. Everyone’s got advice, and most of it contradicts the last person’s. What I’ve learned is that you can take in all the opinions, but at the end of the day, you have to do what works for your family. Every situation is different.

Everything feels overwhelming and confusing, especially when you’re sleep-deprived. And can we just admit it? That “sleep when the baby sleeps” advice doesn’t really work when you’re a working mom.

On the way to work this morning, I heard a song I’d listened to before but never really heard. Exhausted moms—listen to it. It shifted my perspective. I realized that I’ve been putting God on the back burner until I “have the energy” for Him. But the truth is—we can’t do any of this without Him. Especially parenting.

If we want to raise our kids to follow God, it starts with our own relationship with Him. And that means letting them see us turning to Him when we’re struggling, when we’re tired, when we’re overwhelmed. These sleepless nights will eventually pass—and honestly, one day, we’ll probably miss them. But for now, let’s just breathe and lay our stress at the Lord’s feet. I have a feeling we’ll feel lighter when we do.

This is a reminder I’m saying to myself, too. And hey—if you do have tips for helping a baby (and mama) get more sleep, please share. We’re all in this together.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Take a listen to Jonny Diaz "Breathe" ( it hit me hard as a new Mama)