A Busy Mom’s Creative Trick for Better Sleep
This is genius.
Having a newborn is exhausting — everyone knows that.
The days blur together, and somehow you’re running on almost no sleep. It can feel like you’re juggling three jobs at once, all without a break.
There’s always something that needs to be done. Laundry, bottles, dishes, messages you haven’t answered.
You look at the clock and wonder where the day went.
And no matter how much you try to catch up, it never really feels like enough.
It doesn’t help that sleep becomes a luxury. Forget about a full eight hours — on most nights, you’re lucky if you manage four in a row without being woken up.
That said, being a parent is incredible. It’s meaningful, joyful, and unlike anything else. But it’s also hard.
So when someone discovers a simple way to get back even a couple of hours in their day, it’s definitely something worth paying attention to.
Seeking a solution
Like so many new moms, Sheena Turner found herself stuck in a daily tug-of-war. She had a long list of things that needed to get done — but her eight-month-old daughter, Kelani, had other plans.
Whenever Kelani drifted off to sleep in the baby carrier, tucked safely against her mom’s chest, she was perfectly content.
But the moment Sheena tried to lay her down — or even shift her onto her back to get some work done — those peaceful naps were over.
Kelani would wake up instantly, and the calm would disappear just as quickly.
Sheena was already tired from carrying Kelani on her back for hours, and she didn’t have the energy to deal with Kelani wailing through the day. So she brainstormed.
A genius idea
Kelani loved being in her carrier, pressed close against her mom. That warmth and closeness were the only things that kept her asleep.
So Sheena started thinking. She needed something that could hold the carrier safely — but still feel soft enough that Kelani wouldn’t notice the difference.
At first, she considered using one of the bar stools at home. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized they just weren’t sturdy enough to trust with her daughter’s weight.
Still, the basic idea wasn’t wrong.
What she really needed was something both solid and comfortable.
Then it clicked — the couch.
A little ingenuity
It might look simple in photos, but it took some patience to pull off.
Sheena carefully slipped the carrier off without waking Kelani — no small task. Then she secured the straps around the couch, making sure everything was snug, stable, and safe.
Once she stepped back, Kelani was still fast asleep.
She looked completely peaceful, unaware that she was no longer pressed against her mom.
And the best part? Kelani slept for two straight hours while Sheena finally had the chance to make lunch and tackle a few things around the house.
When Kelani eventually woke up, she blinked around with a slightly puzzled expression, as if something felt different.
But the couch was soft and supportive, and before long, she settled right back down — giving her mom a little more breathing room.
A viral idea
When Sheena shared photos of her clever setup on Facebook, the response was immediate.
Within just a month, the post racked up more than 15,000 likes, over 21,000 comments, and upwards of 57,000 shares — and the numbers kept climbing.
Clearly, it struck a nerve.
After all, what tired parent wouldn’t appreciate a smart little solution that buys them a bit of extra time?
What other hacks are out there?
Swap playdates with friends or family – Chances are, you know other parents who are just as tired as you are. Why not team up?
Invite them over and take turns. One of you keeps an eye on the kids while the other sneaks in a nap or just relaxes for a bit. After a couple of hours, switch.
A little extra sleep can make a bigger difference than you think.
Consider hiring a little help – When your kids are young, it’s easy to feel like your entire life revolves around their schedule. You hesitate to leave the house. You put off the gym. Your hobbies disappear.
And before you know it, you haven’t done a single thing for yourself in weeks.
When was the last time you stepped out just because you wanted to?
Even a small break — a few hours to yourself — can reset your mood and energy. Hiring help, even part-time, isn’t about being indulgent. It’s about staying balanced.
Sleep is important, yes. But so is having time that’s just yours.
When you feel recharged, you show up with more patience, more energy, and a better mindset for everything parenting throws your way.
If this resonated with you, share it with someone who might need the reminder.
