From stamina to immodesty to tool skills

Stamina
Even though the average infant sleeps between 16 and 18 hours a day, new parents are universally exhausted. "Babies do come with a sleep schedule," says Alan Greene, M.D., author of From First Kicks to First Steps. "It's just not one that we like." By three months, most babies sleep through the night, which is roughly defined as a six-hour stretch. By six months, a baby can pull a 12-hour snooze with only one wake-up food run. Of course, your baby may not have gotten this memo. Even once he starts sleeping in longer spurts, any number of developmental milestones (rolling over, teething, learning how to pull himself up) will further conspire to keep you from getting those eight hours. But it pays to be persevering. You'll build reserves you didn't know you had, and when you're soothing his colic at 3 a.m., you'll realize you've got the stamina of a rock star. If you were always the sort of person who could function on three hours of sleep, you're ahead of the rest of us. But there's that pesky cumulative effect. Three hours of sleep a night for six weeks straight? That's where Starbucks comes in handy.

Immodesty
"If you're breastfeeding, you're going to spend a considerable amount of time walking around with your upper body exposed and your shirt hiked up to your chin," says Maria Lauricella, mom of Sam, 20 months, in Brooklyn, New York. The good news is that after two to three weeks, your milk supply stabilizes and your breasts (more or less) go back to normal. Without the extra engorgement, you won't feel as self-conscious. But whether you're breastfeeding or not, chances are someone you've never met will see you in a state of dishevelment that would have been mortifying prebaby. Ignore the dirty looks and awkward stares. It's not exhibitionism. It's your job.

Tool skills
Forget Bob the Builder. It's about Mom the Fixer. Better get over your aversion to novel-length assembly instructions and learn how to put together that porta-crib (and Exersaucer, high chair, and musical swing). The time has finally come for you to venture into Home Depot for your own set of screwdrivers, wrenches, and nails. Don't forget the hammer, the tape measure, and an X-acto knife to open all the boxes (but don't put them anywhere near the baby!). It's also a good idea to keep the full spectrum of batteries stocked in the utility drawer, too. With the right tools, you're halfway there. And with practice (there'll be plenty) you'll get through the next 18 years, through bunk-bed assembly and science-fair projects, just fine.

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