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Comment by atq2119 | Hacker News Reader

Let me add a data point in the other direction. The first ~six months of my kid's life was by far the worst time for me.

Yes, there were other challenges as he got older. But the sleep deprivation of that first period was awful in a way that is difficult to put into words.

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Another data point: I was the third child, and my mother has described my childhood as effortless. I was non-argumentative, aware, quiet, timid, patient, easy to entertain, and basically could take care of myself. Those kind of kids exist. It's a little bit of luck, some genetics, some good parenting, and some trust. My two nephews are also pretty easy kids.

I guess we were lucky then. The first ~6 months meant interrupted sleep, but it was somehow easier to bear than e.g. the 2-3yo period, when our older daughter refused to go to sleep before 23:00 - 00:00, and would wake up on her own around 06:00 anyway.

But whichever way it turns for someone, what you note is true: sleep deprivation is awful, and it's hard to describe just how much and how.

For the first kid its the two punch combo: lack of sleep and a completely new lifestyle that you are adapting too. Most people forget that there is a massive lifestyle change that can be hard depending on the lifestage you are at before the adjustment.

Fully agree. Sleep deprivation and the part where they get sick and aren't able to say a thing about the symptoms. Is also a period that is not very rewarding (they mostly sleep, eat and poop... although the small interactions are awesome).

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