New mothers = no sleep

According to a recent survey, new mothers survive on an average of three and a half hours' sleep a night. (but we all know this - right?) and that their sleep doesn't return to normal until their babies reach 18 months old.

The study, carried out by Mother and Baby magazine, involved a poll of 3,000 parents and suggested that gadgets and monitors installed in the home of almost every new parent are to blame. Apparently the invention on two way monitors, breathing alarm equipment and in some homes, video monitors to watch the child while he sleeps means that most mothers wake up at the slightest stir from their baby.

The study also revealed that although most mothers thought that advice from their parents or Grandparents was outdated, they could in fact learn a thing or two. Elena Dalrymple, editor of Mother and Baby explains: "Half of grandparents believed that a baby should cry himself to sleep. While leaving a tiny baby to cry himself to sleep is definitely not recommended nowadays, a mum should still aim to put baby to bed awake and let him settle himself to sleep."

Fathers came under fire in the poll, as research showed that many were getting a full nights sleep in the early months. More than half the fathers said they 'hardly ever' got up during the night (55 per cent) and that their average night's sleep was more than seven hours in the first four months. Fewer than a quarter (23 per cent) even wake up at all when their babies cry at night!!

The survey found that almost half of mothers have been told by their parents to leave their babies to cry in order to get more sleep. A third had also been told to give up breastfeeding despite all the medical advice to continue for six months or more.

Three quarters have two-way alarms, one fifth have breathing sensors and twelve per cent have video monitors. In a desperation to get their babies to fall asleep, the survey found that two-thirds of parents have cot mobiles, half have lullaby night lights and one third have rocking cradles. One in ten parents download music that replicates the sound of being in the womb to help the baby fall asleep.

Thanks to The Times and Mother and Baby magazine 13/09/07

Suffering from no sleep? Can't seem to get your child to sleep through the night? Why not visit our Chat Forum and post a message about sleep. Alternatively, visit our Questions and Answers area to gain advise from other parents (or Grandparents!). Also see our Sleep and Bedtime area for hints on helping your baby to sleep through the night.

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Last Modified: 13/09/2007

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