sleeping mom and baby

It is one of the cruel ironies of life that while babies may sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day during their first year, many parents feel like they'd be lucky to be getting 12 to 18 hours of sleep a week.

Between getting up every few hours to feed and change the baby and trying to fit in basic life activities like, say, eating and showering every so often, it's no wonder that moms with babies can feel like they are tired all the time.

The good news is that it does get better, eventually. You and your baby really will sleep long stretches! It just takes time.

The better news is that we got some moms to share their tried-and-true tricks for dealing with the killer fatigue of that first year with a baby. So in the meantime -- while you're working on getting your baby to get some longer Zzzz's -- you can find ways to feel less like a zombie. Grab a cup of coffee and read on!

Image via iStock.com/mediaphotos

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Newborns baby first year baby sleep sleep