from new york city, this is nightline with cynthia mcfadden. good evening. at the end of a hard, long day, resting your head against a cool pillow case and curling up it may seem like the ultimate escape. but for parents with babies, it can be a constant ordeal with wake-ups and screaming fits that can last for hours. and some bleary eyed moms and dads will try and spend anything for a little peace and quiet. [ baby crying ] 2-year-old mia minutes before was playing and reading down stairs. she just doesn t want to go to sleep. her parents do this terrible tango every fight. let s go night-night. we re up anywhere from, like, three to six times a night. reporter: and mia isn t the only problem. they also have a 9-month-old baby emily who also doesn t sleep. between the two children, danielle and marchello are up all night. i get maybe three or four minutes a night. and it s not consecutive sleep. you know there are geneva conventions against what you re doing. a