James Van Der Beek believes snatching stolen moments of sleep is the key to surviving the first months of parenthood.

The former 'Dawson's Creek' star - who has newborn son Joshua and 17-month-old daughter Olivia with wife Kimberly Brook - has a few pearls of wisdom to share with first-time parents thanks to his own experiences.

He advised: "Sleep when they sleep. That's always a good one, if you can."

But with two children to run around after, the 36-year-old actor's job has just become twice as hard, although he has come up with a technique to keep them both in check.

He told Hollyscoop.com: "Make sure you pay attention to the older one. Because the little one is pretty much fine as long as you have someone holding him."

However, despite the sleepless nights, 'Don't Trust the B- In Apartment 23' star says he couldn't be more in love with the latest addition to the clan.

He said: "I'm just in love. I adore him. You don't realise it until it actually happens and then it's like, 'Oh, that's what they were talking about'."