The Association of Daytime Maternal Napping and Exercise With Nighttime Sleep in First-Time Mothers Between 3 and 6 Months Postpartum

Abstract

Shorter nap durations and longer exercise durations were associated with longer TST, shorter SOL, and reduced WASO. Even small changes in daily exercise and napping behaviors could lead to reliable improvements in postpartum maternal sleep.

Sleep quality buffers the effects of negative social interactions on maternal mood in the 3–6 month postpartum period: a daily diary study

“…The objective and subjective sleep patterns of this sample have been previously reported on (Lillis, 2014; Lillis et al, 2016). Although objective sleep patterns were not significantly related to maternal mood (Lillis, 2014), they did appear to differ as function of maternal work status, daytime health behaviors, and infant care choices (Lillis et al, 2016). For the sample overall, objective estimates of sleep duration were in the “normal range” for healthy adults (i.e., M = 7.2 h), which is consistent with other reports of objective sleep duration in the 3–6 month postpartum period (Montgomery-Downs et al, 2010; Dørheim et al, 2009).…”

“…Participants earned up to $50 for participation (inclusive of a $15 bonus for full study protocol adherence, of which 95% qualified). Demographic characteristics of the final sample ( n = 60) have been previously reported (Lillis et al, 2016). …”

“…We have previously reported on the objective sleep patterns and sleep duration estimates of this sample (Lillis et al, 2016). …”

“…The Morning Sleep Diary (completed upon arising) collected information related to subjective sleep quality by asking participants to answer the following question, “On a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 is extremely poor and 7 is extremely good, how would you rate the quality of your sleep last night?” This question is similar to questions used to assess subjective sleep experience in longitudinal sleep research (King et al, 1997). We have previously reported on the objective sleep patterns and sleep duration estimates of this sample (Lillis et al, 2016).…”

“…As women progress through the first postpartum year, the decline in sleep duration may be less prevalent or problematic than the persistent degradation in sleep quality. By the third month postpartum, many infants begin to have a more consistent and predictable nocturnal sleep period (Figueiredo et al, 2016; Montgomery-Downs et al, 2010; Dørheim et al, 2009) and objective measurements of maternal sleep during this time indicate that durations of sleep return to the “normal range” for healthy adults (i.e., 7.2 h; Lillis et al, 2016; Montgomery-Downs et al, 2010; D0rheim et al, 2009). Importantly, these longer maternal sleep bouts have also been shown to be highly fragmented, with an average of 2 h of wakefulness per night (Montgomery-Downs et al, 2010).…”