We know that getting quality sleep is important for our health and well-being, but when you’ve got kids? It’s not always easy to score a solid night of zzz’s. So moms out there won’t be surprised by the findings of a new study that reports sleep deprivation is a reality for many mothers and that moms of multiple kids get worse sleep than those with just one child. But for dads? The research shows they’re getting the same quality sleep, no matter how many kids they have.
The study from McGill University in Canada tracked the sleep patterns of 111 parents - 54 couples and three single moms - over the course of two weeks. During that time, moms of one child reported better quality sleep with fewer interruptions than moms with more than one kid. As for fathers, they didn’t report any change in their sleep patterns whatsoever, whether they had one kid or several.
The moms of multiple children felt their sleep was more “fragmented” and researchers warn those disruptions to sleep are not only emotionally difficult for moms, but they can have lasting health repercussions as well. Over time, not getting the rest you need can impact the heart, mind and weight. Plus, if it’s always the mom getting up with the kids during the night while the dad snoozes away, that can lead to tension in the marriage, too.
Source: Romper