Sleepy Jamie hit by reality

SO Jamie and Jools Oliver have hired a night nurse for their baby boy River Rocket, born five weeks ago. It’s hard not to be smug. At first, proud dad Jamie said the night-time feed offered him “quality time” with his son.

But five weeks of not sleeping has blown that out of the water. The TV chef had filming to do – and he found it tough after a sleepless night.

Of course it’s hard. Ask thousands of dads who head to work feeling washed out after a night with a crying baby.

Nothing separates the men from the boys like walking the floor at midnight with a baby who just refuses to recognise bedtime.

“Sleep deprivation is used as the most incredible form of torture,” said Jamie last week, as if he’d discovered an astonishing secret. Mmm...yes. I admire your efforts to hold it all together, Jamie. But strong-willed babies can test a man.

My carefree youngest son could sleep for Britain after a night out with his mates but has now learned, through his two baby daughters who enjoy a bit of company after midnight, that a good night’s sleep is a pearl beyond price.

He’s hasn’t hired a night nurse to stand in for him, though. He’s just learned that really strong coffee gets you through the next day. Bless!