Study shows parents can expect sleep deprivation for the first six years

By Marco Rovere

A study from the University of Warwick shows new parents are losing sleep.

The study indicates mothers tend to lose one hour of sleep each night within the first three months after childbirth and can expect a lack of sleep for up to six years after giving birth.

James Mccann, 19, is a Windsorite who deals with sleep deprivation every day due to school, work and taking care of his 3-month-old.

Mccann believes the lack of sleep from his newborn baby is affecting both him and his girlfriend in other parts of their lives including school and work.

“Today I was falling asleep in class,” said Mccann. “With worrying about the child you forget about your personal life and it has a major impact on how you feel. My girlfriend mainly focuses on the child and when doing so, she doesn’t get the proper sleep and her brain doesn’t function, causing her not to be herself.”

He said parents need to worry about themselves in order to provide the baby with the most positive atmosphere growing up. Mccann said he believes always being a good parent and taking care of your child will reflect on them rather than seeing you unhappy or angry all the time.

Amanda Ellard-Ryall is the manager of Healthy Families at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit which provides support to mothers dealing with a new baby or young child. Ellard-Ryall talks about what services the health unit provides to mothers dealing with a lack of sleep.

“We provide a ‘well baby’ drop-in clinic where mom could come in at any time and if she has any question whether it be sleep, nutrition, how my baby is doing and growing, those are the services we provide,” Ryall said.

She said she believes new mothers should feel okay and comfortable enough to ask for help. Ryall says the health unit can provide help and services to provide the baby and the family with a safe environment regarding sleep or support.

“Be prepared to be inconvenienced. Little babies need us, they need their parents, and that’s normal and okay,” Ryall said. “If you don’t have supports, by contacting us we can find the services that you need by navigating the community and seeing what it has for you.”

Parents who deal with a lack of sleep or issues regarding newborns can contact the Windsor-Essex Health Unit to provide them with the help and services they need to live a healthy and stress-free lifestyle.