Sleep-deprived new dad doesn't realize he's holding wrong 'baby' in viral video

One new dad has gone viral after a clip of him rocking the wrong “baby” was discovered on the internet. As it turns out, many parents admitted they're as “guilty” as this father.

In a one-minute video on Facebook, the new dad is seen rocking his new bundle of joy, in between yawns and dozes. His determination to keep up with fatherly duties despite being sleep-deprived is so adorable.

There’s just one problem: He’s rocking the wrong “baby,” or to put it more accurately, he’s rocking no baby!

The sleepy dad has no idea it’s a balled-up robe he’s holding so tenderly. Meanwhile, the Mom, filming the touching scene from her bed, has their newborn asleep in her lap.

CONFESSIONS OF OTHER PARENTS

The heartwarming clip went viral immediately, not just because it’s one of the cutest things to ever make it to the internet, but also because many parents could relate to the new dad’s struggles. They came up in the comments section to share even more hilarious tales of sleep deprivation.

Samantha Jane Hammers disclosed:

“Been there. One night I was so sleepy I couldn't figure out why the baby wouldn't take it's passy [pacifier]. Once I got my eyes open enough I realized I was sticking it in her ear.”

For mother of twins, Pearl Perez-Crooks, lack of sleep had her sticking a flashlight in one of her babies’ mouth. She confessed:

“Exhaustion can get you to do some silly things. I had twins and I had a flashlight so I don’t wake up my husband. I changed the twins, started giving them the bottle, my eyes were practically open. One had a bottle and the other was glowing. I stuck the flashlight in her mouth.”

Other parents shared stories of the times they fed one baby twice, rocked pillows instead of their child, bottle-fed the baby in the nose instead of the mouth, etc.

BACKED BY SCIENCE

Obviously, this new dad is not alone. Another father went viral in 2017 after he did something similar. While on a nap, he heard his baby crying, and subconsciously patted his chest, thinking he was pacifying his child.

Sleep deprivation for new dads is not only real; it’s also backed by scientific research. DailyMail reported in 2016 that a new book claimed that working dads of newborns are more sleep deprived than stay-at-home mums.

The book cited studies consulted in 2004, 2012, and 2013, all of which agreed that working dads of newborns get less sleep than mothers who get to stay at home during the day and catch up on sleep.

Having a child is no piece of cake for any parent, so here’s to all the Moms and Dads out there making enormous sacrifices for the sake of their little ones. In the meantime, we hope this robe-rocking dad gets some much-needed sleep.