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Parenting
By Jenna Marks
Updated: Feb. 8, 2021
Originally Published: April 14, 2017
We’ve all had those moments, haven’t we? Anyone who has welcomed a newborn into their lives understands that they require a tremendous amount of energy (to put it mildly). The fatigue can be so overwhelming that your body will do anything for just a few more minutes of sleep—and babies are quite adept at exploiting this!
In a delightful YouTube clip shared on America’s Funniest Home Videos, a dad is seen responding to his baby’s cries while remaining completely asleep. This heartwarming video resonates with all parents because it captures a common experience. Who hasn’t felt compelled to “shh shh shh” when a colleague is a bit too loud? Or woken from a nap, convinced they needed to tend to a baby, only to find it was just the neighbor’s dog barking? Even now, with my children being nine years old, I catch myself doing the gentle swaying motion in the grocery line as if I still have a little one in my arms.
This dad’s baby is quite young, and it’s evident that his body is instinctively saying, “No worries, I’ll keep sleeping. Just a gentle pat, and everything will be fine.” I recall a night when I woke up to find a neatly folded burp cloth on my nightstand and thought it was my baby. I thought, “That’s odd. Seems balanced, though. I’ll check in a sec… zzzzz.” Your brain is wired to wake up and ensure everything is alright, but when you’re that fatigued, sometimes your body just shuts down the brain and takes the reins.
The Huffington Post shared this touching video, and parents chimed in with their own sleepy parenting anecdotes in the comments section:
- “I once kissed my baby’s head in the middle of the night, only to realize it was my pillow. We didn’t even co-sleep; she was in her own room!”
- “When our twins were newborns, my husband sat up in a daze, cuddled our comforter, and started shushing it. The struggle is real.”
- “I vividly remember rocking an empty stroller for ten minutes until someone pointed out that my baby was being held by my husband.”
We think that the idea of the Imaginary Baby could inspire a sitcom! Picture this for the theme song:
“When you’re ready to step out but suddenly can’t,
It’s a ghost! It’s the dog! Or you forgot your pants!
Maybe it’s the baby you can’t see or hear,
The Imaginary Baby needs a clean diaper, oh dear.”
It’s a work in progress. We’d love to hear your own tales of unconscious parenting; they bring us so much joy and laughter (with you, of course—not at you, well, maybe just a little).
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this informative article on the topic. For insights into postpartum recovery, this resource is quite helpful. Additionally, if you have questions about pregnancy or home insemination, the CDC offers excellent information.
Summary
This article reflects on the universal experiences of sleep-deprived parents, as illustrated by a father comforting his baby while asleep. It humorously captures the moments of unconscious parenting that so many can relate to, inviting readers to share their own stories.