Introduction

Young parents are deprived of sleep for more than two months in the first year of their children’s lives.

Study Findings

According to the study, exhausted moms and dads typically lose four and a half hours of sleep every night, which translates to just over 31 hours a week, or more than 68 days before their baby turns one.

They work an average of 975 night shifts to babysit their children throughout the year – almost three times a night, although parents under the age of 25 usually get up about four times early in the morning.

Men also find it easier to fall asleep again: seven out of ten fall asleep after waking up, compared to 44% of women.

Reasons for Poor Sleep

“This is often due to men taking less time to work after giving birth, meaning that their bodies maintain a more regular sleep pattern than mothers who take extended vacations of up to 12 months,” the study notes.

According to a Silentnight survey of 500 parents with children under the age of five, the most common reason for poor sleep was because their young children were hungry or thirsty.

Expert Advice

Hanna Shor, sleep expert at Silentnight, said: “Caring for a little baby can have a huge impact on the quality of sleep moms and dads get, especially in the first few months after giving birth. It’s normal for moms who decide to breastfeed to wake up more often than dads all the time.” This means they learn to calm the baby faster so that he falls asleep again. This means that even when the baby does not need to be fed, the mother is more likely to wake up because she can calm the baby so that he fell asleep quickly.

She adds: “Prioritizing rest and asking for help when you need it are all critical aspects of ensuring your well-being during this difficult time. Where possible, remember to seek additional help from those around you. Having a baby is not easy, and it’s okay to ask for help from time to time.”

Source

Source: Daily Mail