Advertisement

So, how many days' sleep can you expect to lose as a new parent?

New parents can expect to lose 44 days of sleep in the child's first year (Getty)
New parents can expect to lose 44 days of sleep in the child's first year (Getty)

A good night’s sleep is fundamental to keeping both our physical and mental health in check, but for new parents, a full night’s shut-eye can be hard to come by.

In fact, a study from Ergoflex found that new parents can expect to lose up to six weeks (or 44 days) of sleep in the first year of their baby’s life.

Read more: How the COVID pandemic has changed the way we eat and drink

This equates, roughly, to new parents getting just five hours of sleep per night until the baby is one (compared to the seven to eight hours doctors usually recommend).

The survey, which asked 1,812 adults a number of sleep-related questions, found that sleep deprivation can lead to irritability, lack of productivity and long-term health issues.

Watch: Five top tips for new parents

To help combat this, the survey has suggested the age-old advice of sleeping when the baby sleeps, and including two-hour naps between feeds.

The NHS says that it’s normal for new babies to sleep for just two to three hours at a time during both the night and day.

Read more: How men are impacted by miscarriage

It adds: “Some babies sleep much more than others. Some sleep for long periods, others in short bursts. Some soon sleep through the night, while some don't for a long time.

“Your baby will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping, and it's unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.

Read more: One identical twin born almost double the size of the other due to rare condition

“It's also unlikely to fit in with your need for sleep. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.

“If you're not sleeping at the same time as your baby, don't worry about keeping the house silent while they sleep. It's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise.”

For more sleep tips for new parents from the NHS, visit nhs.uk/getting-baby-to-sleep

Watch: How to improve your sleep

Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter