The hardest thing that new moms generally have to deal with (besides, you know, taking care of a new life) is lack of sleep. Being sleep-deprived when you have a new baby comes with all sorts of challenges, not the least of which is just functioning on a very basic level.
There's no question that long-term sleep deprivation can negatively impact your life in a myriad of ways. Obviously, this is not a state we want to remain in, but often we don't have much of a choice. Maybe you've got a huge project looming at work; perhaps you've been traveling; perchance you just had a new baby. Not to scare all you new moms out there, but I've been a parent for four years now (two kids), and I think the only truly sound sleeps I've gotten during those years have been when I've been away from both kids. So there's that.
But let's look on the bright side!
The awesome thing about being constantly sleep-deprived is that you now have an excuse for pretty much anything that you do wrong. Pretty sweet, right? Your turn to clean the cat litter? "Oh honey, the baby was up EVERY. HOUR. last night! Do you mind doing it this time?" What's your partner going to say? Exactly. (Although hopefully they were up taking their turn with your kid. If not, they definitely get to clean the cat litter.)
So take a moment and embrace all the good parts about being sleep-deprived. Because if you don't, you'll find yourself crying into your third cup of cold coffee. Again.