New parents endure more than two months of sleep deprivation during their child’s first year of life, according to a recent study. This staggering sleep deficit leaves exhausted mothers and fathers missing out on an average of four and a half hours of sleep each night, equating to over 31 hours a week or more than 68 days before their baby reaches their first birthday.
The study, which polled 500 parents with children under five, revealed that during this year, parents make approximately 975 nocturnal trips to tend to their baby, translating to almost three nighttime awakenings. However, parents under the age of 25 tend to experience four wake-ups during the small hours.
Mothers are disproportionately affected, with an average loss of five hours of sleep compared to fathers, who sacrifice three and a half hours on average. Additionally, men reportedly find it easier to return to sleep, with seven out of ten fathers achieving a good night’s rest after being awakened, in contrast to only 44 percent of mothers.
The study attributes these gender differences to men typically receiving less leave from work after childbirth, allowing their bodies to maintain a more regular sleep routine compared to mothers, who often enjoy extended leaves of up to 12 months.
Breastfeeding emerged as a major contributing factor to nighttime parental duties, with women being called upon more frequently than men. In the poll, conducted by Silentnight, the most common reasons for late-night disturbances included hunger or thirst (accounting for over half of the distress calls), teething (41 percent), and bathroom needs (37 percent). Furthermore, one in three parents take more than half an hour to fall back asleep after attending to their child’s needs.
Hannah Shore, a sleep expert at Silentnight, commented on the findings, stating, “Taking care of a baby or toddler can have a significant impact on the quality of sleep mums and dads get, especially in those first few months after birth.” She emphasized that breastfeeding mothers often wake up more frequently than fathers throughout the night, as they quickly soothe their baby back to sleep. Shore advised parents to prioritize their well-being by seeking assistance when needed and making rest a priority during this demanding period.
“Remember, taking care of yourself is essential for effectively caring for your newborn,” Shore added. “Having a child is not easy, and it’s OK to ask for a hand every now and then.”
