Your sleep matters as much as your baby's—especially in that crucial first year when they're still napping multiple times a day. Research shows that if you're struggling to sleep beyond just baby wake-ups—whether during pregnancy or after birth—it's worth paying attention. Poor sleep is connected to postpartum depression, and the two can feed into each other in a difficult cycle. If you're a solo parent, know that struggling emotionally while parenting alone directly impacts your sleep and your baby's. This isn't a character flaw; it's how stress works on the body. Getting support for your own mental health and sleep—through your doctor, a therapist, or trusted people in your life—isn't selfish; it genuinely improves both your wellbeing and your baby's. You deserve rest and support, and seeking it matters.