Hank, founder of Maysense, holding his newborn baby in Vancouver

Apr 10, 2026

The 2 AM Wake-Up Call Finding My New Balance at 40

Sleepless nights, broken routines, and the daily habits helping me stay grounded in early fatherhood.

I was 40 when I welcomed my son into the world. Embracing fatherhood at 40 has been a milestone that made my family feel complete, bringing a kind of happiness that is hard to describe—unless you’ve lived it yourself.

I once heard a mother of two say: “Having children makes me feel deeply fulfilled, but not always happy.” Now, I truly understand what she meant.

Back view of a baby in soft natural light, capturing a quiet and tender moment from early fatherhood

The Realities of Fatherhood at 40: The 2 AM and 5 AM Cycle

A baby’s life revolves around a three-hour clock. Day and night, feeding is the center of our universe. As parents, we are always on standby, ready to wake up at 2 AM and again at 5 AM to quietly warm formula, change diapers, feed, burp, and settle him back to sleep. By the time the cycle is done, nearly 50 minutes have passed, and you realize the next round is only two hours away.

Baby bottle, pacifier, and handwritten note showing 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM on a soft blanket, representing the repeated night feeding routine.

And if he doesn’t fall back asleep smoothly? Honestly, those are the moments I find myself on the verge of tears.

The Weight of Anxiety

More than the physical exhaustion, it’s the anxiety that challenges me most. This isn't the stress of a boardroom or a project deadline. At work, problems can be analyzed and solved. With a baby, you constantly wonder: Am I doing enough? Am I doing this right?

I want to be a responsible father. I want to provide what psychologists call a “holding environment”—a calm, patient space where he feels secure even when he is spitting up, crying, or just learning to find his voice. Staying relaxed and positive while running on empty is a discipline in itself. And of course, I see now more than ever how mothers often carry an even heavier share of this emotional load.

Navigating the unique challenges of fatherhood at 40 means learning to prioritize my health in a whole new way.

The Search for a New Normal

Before the baby, my life was structured. I hit the gym every morning, ensuring at least 150 minutes of Zone 2 cardio a week. Exercise was my anchor. Since my son arrived, that rhythm has been shattered. I’ve barely stepped into a gym in months.

Our diet has shifted, too. We used to prioritize fatty fish, berries, and leafy greens. Now, in the "survival mode" of broken sleep, convenience wins. Sausages, cereals, and frozen pizza have become our staples. While easy, these processed foods are often high in sugar and refined carbs—exactly the kind of diet that triggers inflammation and energy crashes.

Finding Balance in Fatherhood at 40: Routine and Nutrition

This is exactly why I’ve come to value targeted nutritional support even more as I adapt to fatherhood at 40. I don’t see supplements as a shortcut, but as a "nutritional safety net" when life is far from ideal.

DHA: When sleep is fragmented and mental focus is tested, DHA is my essential for brain and eye health.
Magnesium: To manage the build-up of daily anxiety and improve the quality of whatever small windows of sleep I get, Magnesium is my go-to for nervous system support.
Curcumin: With less movement and more processed food, I use Curcumin as a natural way to manage inflammation and support recovery.
NMN: At 40, I’m not looking for a caffeine high. I’m looking for sustained cellular energy. NMN helps me maintain resilience and metabolism even when my routine is upside down.

Three MAYSENSE supplement bottles on a wooden bedside table beside a lamp, set in a warm and cozy bedroom environment.

A Deeper Gratitude

Parenthood has changed my perspective on more than just health. I find myself calling my parents more often now. Things I once understood only in theory, I now feel in my bones. I see the immense love and patience hidden in the ordinary, exhausting routines they went through for me.

Parenthood can make you tired. It can make you anxious. But it also makes you softer, more grateful, and more aware of what truly matters.

So, what does fatherhood at 40 really feel like? It’s not always graceful. But it is profound, and it is worth every sleepless night. In the middle of the mess, we aren't just finding fulfillment—we are slowly finding our way back to joy, too.

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MAYSENSE high-quality supplements: https://maysense.com/collections/nutrition-essentials

Learn more about DHA and omega-3s: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/

What current research says about turmeric and curcumin:

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34471000/

A human study on NMN and NAD+ levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35479740/