The Beauty of Sleep

    Sleep matters more than most others appreciate, even more so for mothers in the first year postpartum. The physical, emotional, and intellectual demands of caring for a newborn in the early weeks and months of a child’s life, let alone the rest of motherhood, make slumber particularly important for short-term function and long-term health. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, yet few of us grasp why we should fully.

    In our fast-paced, 24/7 world, especially parenting kids, sleep is a valuable necessity that should be prioritised if and when the demands of work, socialising, or watching your favourite TV show allow.

    Here are some reasons why sleep is essential for mothers:

    Physical Recovery:

    New mothers who need many hours of sleep to recover should be able to do that now. After a woman’s body has gone through labor, it will slowly recover. Especially for a C-section mother, it will take the body longer to heal from that pain. Your body needs sleep and rest to regenerate tissue, normalise hormone levels, and recover after all the stress of labor and delivery. If you don’t sleep, you slow the healing process, and all your powers escape.

    Emotional Well-Being:

    Sleep and emotion are inextricably linked. Motherhood is filled with incredible joy and painful heartbreak. Add into that mix the demands on your time and a severe lack of rest and stress, and you have the perfect recipe for mental anguish particularly for a woman already going through hormonal changes. Sleep allows you to maintain emotional homeostasis, and chronic repetitive sleep loss increases the risk of postpartum depression or anxiety both of which can be worsened by sleep deprivation.

    Cognitive Function:

    Motherhood means being sharp witted, being able to handle more than one task at a time, and often in a fuzzy state of sleep deprivation. We must tend to the baby, school runs, help our children with homework, cook meals, and keep track of our family’s appointments. Sleep deprivation impairs memory, decision making, and problem solving, and without enough rest, tasks that were once simple suddenly become complex missions for mothers. With more sleep, doing the same duties seems much more straightforward and achievable. 

    Energy and Stamina:  

    A newborn child requires a lot of energy to care for, especially for a first time mother or a mother with multiple children. All the feeding, changing of nappies, and soothing during the night can drain your energy. Sleep restores that energy and also provides the strength to deal with all that goes with motherhood.

    Even brief naps or rest periods can have a natural energising effect. Sleep is also vital for emotional processing; we can better regulate our moods and defuse stress when we get the needed sleep. After even one night of poor sleep, we become less adept at managing emotional challenges; after several nights deprived of sleep, we become more vulnerable to the highs and lows of negative emotion.

    Breastfeeding:

    Breastfeeding mothers also require sufficient sleep, as there is evidence that sleep affects milk production. According to NHS.com, a well rested mother’s body will produce more prolactin, the hormone that increases milk supply. At the same time, poor sleep is associated with negative consequences for milk production and is known to decrease the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, mothers can maintain better hydration and diet while asleep, two necessary components for successful breastfeeding.

    Modeling Healthy Sleep Habits:

    Despite their preferences, children often copy their parents’ habits. If mothers prioritise and psychologically establish a pattern of their own, there is an opportunity to teach children the significance of sleep. Bedtime rituals for children that are firmly in place and adhered to can often have rippling effects, and both children and mothers can get more restful sleep through daily routines. 

    Preventing Burnout:

    If mothers don’t get enough rest, their chances of being burnt out increase; it could be due to their juggling so many personal roles. Mothers are expected to have a thousand and one things to do daily, like cooking, cleaning, washing, and following their usual work schedule. If untreated, this could lead to them becoming overworked and experiencing stress. Without excellent and plentiful sleep, mothers could burn out and not be able to take care of themselves, their children or partners/husbands. Getting good sleep daily helps mothers avoid burnout.

    Strengthening Relationships:

    A sleep deprived mother might find herself easily aggravated or snappish with her partner, family, or friends. Sleeping well is essential for mothers to maintain emotional stability, patience, and communication abilities, which improve relationships and support a more cohesive family unit.

    Practical Sleep Tips for Mothers

    Nap when the baby naps. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it might be precisely what you need. Long naps during the day are like compensation for sleepless nights. Ask for help; partners, family members, and friends can do the night feedings; they can drop by with a meal, pick up the dry cleaning, or take the baby out for a walk while the mother stops to rest.

    Create a Bedtime Ritual: Even if you can’t make the ritual extend for 30 minutes, at least try relaxing before bed to let your body know it’s time to rest. 

    Avoid Caffeine and Stimulants: Just as tempting as it is to pop a caffeine pill for an energy boost after a night or two of shuteye deprivation, it will surely diminish your ability to nap or sleep.

    Sleep is also essential for mothers to maintain physical and mental health and generate the energy needed for everyday functioning. Planning to take even small naps can help mothers feel more capable of responding to children’s demands and help promote mothers’ and their loved ones’ health.

    Reading a Book: I like to read a book before bed. As a woman of faith, I read my Bible until I fall asleep; positive affirmations are also meaningful before bed, as they are the last thing your brain digests. 

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