Hysterics as dad proves why it’s impossible to “sleep when the baby sleeps”

New parents are often advised to sleep when the baby sleeps, giving them a chance to rest, but one dad has proved it is not always that simple.

In a viral Instagram video, 32-year-old Rhett Scheurn attempts to follow this well-meaning suggestion, only to be repeatedly awakened by his baby’s strange grunting sounds.

“When I’m sleeping, my baby makes these grunting sounds, and I don’t know what it means,” Scheurn told Newsweek.

The bleary-eyed dad is seen with a miserable look on his face after being woken by his 5-month-old. Defeated, his head hits the pillow, perfectly capturing the frustrations of other exhausted parents.

Lucy Shrimpton, founder of The Sleep Nanny, told Newsweek why this advice can be difficult to follow. “If only it were that easy. The advice to ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ sounds great in theory, but we all know it’s not so simple. We can’t just switch off and fall asleep on command.”

Shrimpton added that, once the baby is finally asleep, parents are often left with a to-do list a mile long—whether it is household chores, preparing for the next feeding, or simply trying to grab a few moments to themselves.

“Focus on only what absolutely needs doing, then put your feet up, close your eyes, and take some deep breaths. Even a few minutes of this mindful rest can have tremendous benefits for both your body and mind. It’s the next best thing to getting that elusive sleep,” Shrimpton said.

Scheurn’s clip was a viral hit on Instagram, receiving over 28.5 million views and over 1,700 comments, which he told Newsweek were “mostly laughs and relatable.”

One user wrote that nobody warns you about the noises that some babies make in their sleep. “Babies don’t sleep like a baby,” they added.

Another user called the advice “sleep when the baby sleeps” the biggest lie they have ever been told.

For parents like Scheurn, a baby’s sleep sounds can also be a major culprit in disrupting rest.

“It’s so common for babies to make all kinds of little noises during sleep—grunts, whimpers, and even cries—but these don’t always mean they need you,” Shrimpton said.

While the noises can be unsettling for tired parents, they are often a normal part of a baby’s sleep cycle. Shrimpton told Newsweek that a great solution for dealing with these sounds is a baby monitor with adjustable sensitivity.

“This way, you can tune out those minor sounds while still hearing your baby when they truly need you. Another option is to place the baby’s crib a little further from your bed, so the softer noises don’t wake you as easily,” she said.

The key, according to Shrimpton, is finding a balance between staying close enough to respond when needed and making sure parents can get some much-needed rest.

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