For many, the arrival of a new baby is a joyous occasion, but recent research sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of new parenthood: a significant sleep deficit.
A study conducted by Silentnight has revealed that during the first year of their child’s life, parents experience a staggering sleep loss equivalent to over two months.
Relentless Sleep Interruptions
On average, new parents lose approximately four and a half hours of sleep each night. Over the course of a week, this translates to a sleep debt of more than 31 hours or a staggering 68 days by the time their child celebrates their first birthday.
The research further elucidated that new parents find themselves attending to their infants an average of 975 times during the night in the initial year. This equates to nearly three nocturnal interruptions each night. Younger parents, particularly those under the age of 25, experience close to four wake-ups during the night.
Sleep Gender Disparity
The study also illuminated the unequal distribution of sleep deprivation between both parents. Mothers bear the brunt of sleeplessness, losing an average of five hours of sleep each night, in contrast to fathers, who typically miss out on three and a half hours.
One significant contributing factor to this disparity is the uneven distribution of parental leave from work. According to the study, men often receive less leave post-birth, enabling them to maintain a more regular sleep routine compared to mothers, who may enjoy extended leaves of up to 12 months. Additionally, the responsibility of breastfeeding primarily falls upon mothers, further increasing their nighttime duties.
Sleep Quality Matters
It’s not solely the quantity of interruptions but also the quality of subsequent sleep that matters. Even after responding to late-night baby care, not all parents find it easy to return to slumber.
Among fathers, 70 percent reported being able to enjoy a good night’s rest after being woken up, while this was the case for only 44 percent of mothers.
Common Causes of Sleep Interruptions
A survey conducted by Silentnight, involving 500 parents of children under five, aimed to identify the most prevalent reasons for these nocturnal disruptions.
Results revealed that over half of late-night wake-ups occurred due to the baby being hungry or thirsty, followed by teething, which accounted for 41 percent of sleep disturbances.
The Importance of Self-Care
Hannah Shore, a sleep expert at Silentnight, emphasized the significance of self-care during this challenging phase of parenthood.
“All parents acknowledge that their sleep quality and quantity will diminish after becoming new parents. However, if you find yourself feeling fatigued, irritable, and overwhelmed, it’s crucial to find a way to secure more sleep or, at the very least, additional rest. Remember, taking care of yourself is paramount to effectively caring for your newborn,” Shore stressed.
According to Shore, prioritizing rest and seeking assistance when necessary are vital during this demanding period.
“And remember, whenever possible, don’t hesitate to ask for additional help from those around you,” she advised. “Raising a child is no small feat, and it’s perfectly acceptable to seek a helping hand from time to time.”
