Sleep-Deprived New Mom? Read This Article!

Are you a sleep-deprived new Mom? This blog will help you understand why this occurs, the significant impact it has on your health and well-being and what you can do to get more sleep! 

In early 2019, Dr. Judith E Carrol released a study titled “Maternal Sleep in Pregnancy and Postpartum”. It found that the average adult needs around 8 hours a day and that 1/3 of our lives is spent sleeping. But it also found some startling negative impacts on sleep-deprived new moms. 

What Causes Sleep Deprivation for New Moms?

First, its important to understand why babies don't sleep well especially in their first 4-6 months of life, which typically means Mom doesn't sleep well either. Newborn babies don't really have a sleep schedule -- rather, newborns take multiple naps throughout the day, usually lasting from 2-4 hours. Like most adults, Moms need 7-9 hours per day of sleep, ideally at the same time. You can see where this math is going - unless your significant other is taking care of every late-night newborn wakeup, mothers are almost guaranteed to lose some sleep. In fact, a study in the UK found that the average new Mom lost the equivalent of 44 days of sleep in their baby's first year of life. And another study by Sleep Junkie found that only 10% of newborn parents were getting their recommended 7+ hours every night. 

What Are the Consequences of Mothers Losing Sleep?

Unfortunately there are many consequences of losing so much sleep including:

• Emotional & Mental Well-Being- A lack of sleep can send anyone into a spiral, and unfortunately mothers are not exempt. Losing sleep can lead to quick tempers, short attention spans, and lasting brain fog for many. Most of these mental impacts can be quickly remedied by resting where you can find time to, though this is often difficult with newborns.
• Interpersonal Relationships - When there is a significant mental impact on an individual, interpersonal impacts often follow. Being tired can impact how willing you are to go to social gatherings, how clearly you can think, and much more - all things that can shift your interpersonal relationships.
• Physical Health - Dr. Carrol’s study had some significant DNA findings related to mothers’ physical wellbeing. By taking DNA samples and checking for signs of age and age-related illness, she found that a lack of sleep - especially within the first six months after birth - can speed up aging. She estimates that consistently getting below 7 hours of sleep can age mothers’ bodies 3-7 years in those short 6 months that it takes your baby to start learning a normal sleep schedule.

Getting More Sleep -- It Is Possible! 

All is not lost! There are many ways that new parents can find ways to rest - many call in family and friends to babysit for example. However, the most effective solution is to find a way to help your baby sleep (and stay asleep) while you get as many hours of sleep as possible. Utilize products such as white noise machines or vibrating bassinets or rockers to helps soothe your baby to sleep.