parents

It obviously depends on your needs. If your child is going to be alone with the sitter, then probably you need a sitter who is old and has enough experience in doing her job. However, if you plan to be at home and just need an extra pair of hands, preteens can also be a good choice.

New parents bear the brunt of sleep loss, because the baby requires constant attention, what with the frequent feedings and diaper changes.

Newborn infants sleep in fits and starts, making it virtually impossible for a parent to get more than a couple of hours’ rest at a time.

When parents sleep only for a few hours on a regular basis due to the demands of the infant they tend to build up a "sleep debt" that hampers health.

Parents tend to be exhausted, which leads to crankiness, depression, mood swings, arguments, blazing rows, and relation-ship break-ups.