It’s three o’clock in the morning and you’re awake for another feeding. You bounce, you rock, you sing and pace, and before you know it, the sun has come up. Your little one is now nestled into bed and just as your head hits the pillow, the alarm clock goes off. It’s time for your mate, your other children and the dog to get up. You shuffle them all out the door and run back for a little shut eye, but wait, what’s that sound? It’s the baby again and it’s time for another feeding.

It would be great if we really did just “sleep when the baby sleeps” but a recent poll of mommy friends proves this often isn’t the case. We have lives to lead while we nurture our newborns.  Bills must be paid, food must be made and sleep, well –what’s that again? All too often we forgo rest and relaxation for order and organization. After all, who could relax with all those dishes in the sink? Add in a job, a pile of laundry, a trip to the grocery store and something has to give. Chances are, if you’re like most moms, it’s sleep.

You might choose to skip something else if you knew just how detrimental sleep deprivation can really be. 

Did you know that a lack of sleep can contribute to difficulty losing weight and may actually play a part in packing on the pounds?  Now that’s just what a new mommy struggling to lose the baby-weight wants to hear.  And we all know that sleepless nights lead to stressful days.  Who hasn’t bitten off a head or two after a restless night?  Unfortunately, these little tidbits are just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are the facts about skipping sleep: not getting enough sleep can lead to an increased risk for diabetes, elevated blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and even cancer. It puts your immune system in a depressed state and inhibits your natural ability to fight off the common cold and seasonal flu. 

Need something a bit more immediate to convince you? Getting behind the wheel while suffering from sleep deprivation can easily be compared to driving drunk. You wouldn’t get behind the wheel with your little one if you were intoxicated, now would you? In reality though, lack of sleep can slow your reaction time and inhibit concentration just as much.

What’s a new mom to do? We might not be able to skip the midnight feedings for now, but we certainly could let those dishes go for a day or two. And why not delegate? Forget the friends that just want to hold the baby and chat. Call in the go-getter and ask him or her to do a load of laundry, vacuum the floor, or take over entirely while you take a much needed nap. Use earplugs, pull the curtains closed, and allow yourself to sleep. Hire help if you can afford it and invest in a good meditation recording if you need assistance unwinding. 

It might not be easy at first, but with time and practice you can learn to let go of that supermom complex and get the sleep you need.

You’ll be a better mother and a healthier human being for it. 

Tia O'Neill is a glamour diva, turned new mom. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and newborn son, Justice.