Viral video shows why ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ is a hilarious myth

Ah, the classic advice: “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” It sounds so simple, right? Well, any parent knows it’s one of the funniest jokes out there. Enter Rhett Scheurn, a dad trying his best to follow this well-meaning (yet almost mythical) suggestion, only to be woken up by his baby’s…let’s call them “interesting” sleep sounds.

In a viral video that has us all nodding along, Scheurn attempts to catch some zzz’s—except his 5-month-old daughter has other plans, making grunts and noises that only babies can get away with. Poor Scheurn looks exactly like every sleep-deprived parent ever—just trying to rest his eyes, only to be jolted awake by mystery sounds coming from the bassinet.

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The Sleep Nanny, Lucy Shrimpton, hits the nail on the head when she told Newsweek, “If only it were that easy.” She explains that while “sleep when the baby sleeps” is a nice theory, parents often can’t just switch off and snooze on demand. Babies may be catching up on their sleep, but parents? They’re often stuck with a never-ending to-do list—like dishes, prepping for the next feeding, or attempting to savor a rare quiet moment alone.

Shrimpton offers some real advice: Focus on what absolutely needs doing, then take a few deep breaths and try to rest, even if it’s just for a few minutes. “Even mindful rest can have amazing benefits,” she says—though let’s be honest, it’s not quite the same as an uninterrupted night.

The video, which has racked up a whopping 28.5 million views (because apparently, tired parents everywhere feel seen), is full of comments like “Nobody warns you about the baby noises!” and “Biggest lie ever told.”

Shrimpton also points out that it’s totally normal for babies to make all kinds of sounds in their sleep—grunts, whimpers, even the occasional cry—but it doesn’t always mean they need attention. Her tip for sanity? A baby monitor with adjustable sensitivity, so you only wake up when it’s truly necessary. Or, if you’re brave enough, moving the crib a little farther away to minimize those “not-so-urgent” wake-ups.

At the end of the day, the real trick is finding that sweet spot between being there for your little one and grabbing whatever rest you can. And let’s be real—sometimes, that’s just as elusive as the mythical full night’s sleep.