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New Parents Lose Up To 44 Days Of Sleep During The First Year, Study Finds

Kimberley Bond

Published 

New Parents Lose Up To 44 Days Of Sleep During The First Year, Study Finds

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

A new study has revealed how much sleep new parents lose when they welcome their little bundle of joy - and it's made us tired just thinking about it.

While some lucky first-timers find their tiny tots can sleep through the nights no bother, others find themselves permanently knackered, drained and chronically sleep-deprived as their baby struggles to get into a routine.

A survey taken in the UK found that new parents will only have 5.1 hours worth of sleep on average per night during the baby's first year.

Newborn babies often sleep irregularly (Credit: Unsplash)
Newborn babies often sleep irregularly (Credit: Unsplash)
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The hours lost to tending the baby's needs in the early hours can soon add up, with some parents losing up to 44 days worth of sleep over the first 12 months.

And while it's common knowledge that people with young children don't rest as well as people without, it's still shocking to see that new parents can lose over a month's worth of decent kip.

It may be tough to settle a little one in for the night, but there are a number of tips and solutions so parents and babies can have a good rest.

Having a soothing bedtime routine, with lots of swaddling and shushing, can be beneficial to the baby as it creates positive sleep associations.

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A routine can help establish a sleeping pattern (Credit: Unsplash)
A routine can help establish a sleeping pattern (Credit: Unsplash)

Weaning night-time feedings, letting your baby self-soothe and setting an appropriate bedtime are all vital in getting little ones get through the night.

The NHS also recommends not playing with your baby when it's late, keeping the lights down low and keeping your voice quiet, as your child will eventually learn that night time is for sleeping.

And if you really feel you are struggling and need some rest, ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an eye on the baby while you catch some shut eye of your own.

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Parents can lose over a month's worth of sleep (Credit: Unsplash)
Parents can lose over a month's worth of sleep (Credit: Unsplash)

The amount of sleep a baby needs varies - a newborn can sleep anywhere between 8 to 18 hours a day.

As they get older, they'll need fewer night feeds and should be able to sleep for longer.

Topics: Children, Life News, Mum, Life, Babies, Parents

Kimberley Bond
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