Motherhood And Sleep with TEMPUR®

According to the Oxford English dictionary, a mother is defined as a female parent who has borne a child; therefore, the term does not apply to a pregnant woman. However, each woman may feel differently during the time of their pregnancy and may feel their motherly instincts kick in once they become pregnant, meaning that for some but not all, motherhood begins when they first become pregnant.

A study finds that sleep disorders affect men and women differently and the results show that women are more likely than men to have more trouble sleeping at night. Times when sleep is commonly disturbed are during pregnancy, following childbirth and during the time of raising a child. Postpartum insomnia and post-natal insomnia are therefore very common.

According to the Sleep Foundation, postpartum insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep on a consistent basis following the birth of your child. Mamacare says the difference between postpartum and postnatal insomnia is as follows: postpartum is correlated with the mother’s condition after birth, whereas postnatal relates to the baby. Therefore, motherhood and sleep are closely interrelated.

The Changes You Undergo As A Mother

Many physiological, psychological and lifestyle changes occur during this period of a woman’s life. These changes affect a mother’s sleep, such as finding it difficult to fall asleep in the first place and staying asleep after. This is not surprising, as during this time a mother’s sleep patterns shift and they experience shorter sleep durations which results in daytime fatigue. This is because babies tend to sleep in short bursts and do not sleep through the night for more than five to six hours before six months of age. Therefore, constant night-time awakening to attend to the baby’s needs causes endless sleep disturbance.

Postpartum Insomnia

According to PubMed, postpartum insomnia can arise for a few different reasons. One relates to hormonal shifts that occur after delivery. Once you give birth, your levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop precipitously. These hormones influence circadian rhythms, your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. When your circadian rhythms are disrupted, you may be sleepier during the day and more alert at night.

The general stress of having a baby can also lead to postpartum insomnia, especially if there are other factors at play. "Stress regarding caring for a newborn and taking on the role of mother, financial constraints related to not being able to work outside the home, and the cost of caring for a new born are all possible sources of stress," says Margaret Mike, MD, who specialises in sleep medicine at the University of Missouri Hospital.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) can also be a concern for new parents. Studies have proven that restless leg syndrome—an uncontrollable urge to move your legs while sleeping—can cause insomnia in anyone because of the constant disruption to their sleep. Dr. Mike says new parents are susceptible to RLS because of being overtired, which can make insomnia worse.

Top tips for a new mother:

• Nap when the baby naps
• Be comfortable saying “no” or asking to delay a visit until you and your baby have a bit more of a routine
• Create a good sleep environment and a bedtime routine
• Ask for help
• Create a functional and consistent schedule while the baby is awake
• Make sure you make time to get outside
• Start sleep training around six months

Creating The Perfect Sleep Environment

Comfort and getting a good night’s rest for a new mother is key. TEMPUR® offers the perfect solution, its material responds to your body’s shape, weight, and warmth, precisely adapting and aligning to every inch of you. Its proven pressure relief gives your body total comfort and support, helping you to drift off faster. It can also help to reduce your tossing and turning. It absorbs motion from your partner, so you are less likely to disturb one another. Try out a TEMPUR® pillow or mattress and see if it helps you sleep better.

Did you find your sleep was affected when you had a baby? How did you or are you coping as a new mother?