Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation is an inevitable consequence of having a new baby – in fact research suggests new parents lose a staggering two months of sleep in the first year of their baby’s life – up to 90 minutes each night, which pretty much adds up to a whole night’s sleep every week.

Add to this, the fact that women claim to lose more sleep than their partners do (one percent of women say they could sleep through their baby’s cries compared to 43 percent of men), and you can see why the survey suggested sleep deprivation can put a strain on relationships.

This is why it is important that you have lots of support from your partner. Talk to him before your baby is born about how you can share out some of the sleep disruptions when your baby arrives, and you won’t feel so alone. Of course, you may be one of those lucky people who can survive on small amounts of sleep, but coupled with the demands of your new baby when she is awake, most people will find night times are less restful than they need. For this reason, plan your time well. Don’t worry about chores when your baby is small – use nap times as an opportunity to put your feet up and even have a little doze on the couch. You need to conserve your energy, not expend it, at this stage. The good news is that by around three months, babies begin to settle into much more of a routine and sleeping should be more predictable for everyone concerned. Here are some hot tips for dealing with sleep deprivation:

- Nap when your baby does or ask somebody to babysit for an hour or two while you sleep. Don’t feel guilty: in different cultures a new mom’s mother takes over for the first 40 days!

- Exercise as much as possible. Even if it’s just a spin around the block with the stroller, getting some fresh air and upping your heart rate a bit is essential for helping your body rest properly later.

- Avoid unnecessary stress or pressure into your life. Make sure you say no to people who might not realize how tiring your new role is. This means demands from bosses, partners, friends or family. Make yourself a priority at this time.

Why not chat to other moms about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on our chat forum. Alternately, if you want to meet other moms in your area with similar age babies, visit our people section to find out what’s happening in your area. If you have any unanswered questions, use our questions page to gain wisdom from other moms or our resident experts for all those pregnancy or baby-related niggles. Have a look at our kit section where we list our favorite baby gear.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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