Sleep and Sanity
By Cara Strauss, Certified Sleep Consultant
& Jen Kost, Perinatal Mental Health Therapist
Quality sleep is the foundation of mental health, especially in the perinatal period. That’s why I’ve partnered with Cara Strauss of Sleep Solutions by Cara to share insights and a meaningful conversation about how sleep and emotional wellbeing are deeply connected.
Bringing a baby into the world is a beautiful, life-changing experience; but it’s also one of the most sleep-deprived and emotionally intense seasons of life. Whether you're navigating newborn nights, postpartum recovery, or the emotional highs and lows of becoming a parent, one thing becomes very clear: sleep and mental health are deeply intertwined.
As a sleep consultant and perinatal mental health therapist, we often see families struggling on both fronts; poor sleep is impacting emotional well-being, and mental health challenges are interfering with the ability to get restorative rest. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Understanding the connection can offer clarity, compassion, and concrete next steps.
💤 Why Sleep Matters for Your Mental Health
Sleep is not a luxury. It’s foundational. Lack of sleep affects your mood, memory, patience, and ability to regulate emotions. This is especially critical in the perinatal period, when your identity, routines, and relationships are shifting.
Sleep deprivation increases the risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Research shows that insufficient or poor-quality sleep can heighten the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety, especially for birthing parents.
Partners and co-parents are impacted too. It's not just the birthing parent! Partners also experience disrupted sleep and emotional burnout, which can affect bonding, co-parenting, and relationship satisfaction.
🧠 Mental Health Challenges Disrupt Sleep, Too
It’s a two-way street. Anxiety and depression can keep your brain wired at night, even when your baby is finally asleep. Intrusive thoughts, racing worries, or heightened vigilance can prevent your body from accessing the deep, restorative sleep it needs to recover; both physically and emotionally.
❤️ What You Can Do About It
Compassion over perfection. You don’t have to “sleep train” your way out of distress, nor do you need to ignore your exhaustion “for the sake of bonding.” There is a middle ground rooted in responsive care and gentle strategies.
Ask for help early and often. Whether you’re seeking emotional support, practical guidance around sleep, or both, there are professionals who specialize in this season of life.
Create sleep-supportive habits that prioritize your wellbeing, not just your baby’s. We’ll talk more about how in our video!
🎥 Watch Our Full Conversation
In our new video, we dive deeper into:
How postpartum sleep affects mental health (and vice versa)
Gentle, developmentally appropriate approaches to baby sleep
Strategies for protecting your emotional wellbeing in a sleep-deprived season
Red flags to look out for and when to reach out for help
You don’t have to choose between your baby’s needs and your own.
You can nurture both — and we’re here to help you find that path.
With care,
Cara & Jen
