God answered our prayers for a healthy baby, and I was grateful. But I was completely and utterly exhausted. My body had taken those nine months to grow and nurture my baby, and I’d hoped to snap back within a couple of weeks. Who was I kidding? I look back on it now and laugh at my expectations.

Changing diapers or giving her a bath weren’t the hardest part; it was the lack of sleep. I was so exhausted from the sleepless nights that I could barely function during the day. I thank God for my husband, Zach, who pitched in when he wasn’t at work. It took months before I was able to get the proper amount of sleep my body needed.

One of the biggest challenges of becoming a new mom is getting the right amount of rest. When your body is fatigued, life seems to go in slow motion. You might feel less alert and more irritable. But losing sleep isn’t just aggravating; it can actually delay losing some of the baby weight you might have put on during your pregnancy.

If you find you’re exhausted, cut yourself some slack. Give yourself permission to be less than perfect, and ask those around you for help.

Maybe you have a friend who could help you with the laundry. Or maybe your mom could come over once a week and pitch in. Most important, seek God’s guidance (James 1:5) and trust Him to strengthen you and help you.