Postpartum Sleep in New Mothers and Fathers

Abstract

Abstract:In this review, we describe postpartum sleep as characterized by marked fragmentation, resulting in nearuniversal fatigue during the initial postpartum period. This sleep disturbance and fatigue are major contributing factors to the onset of affect and mood disturbance, which in turn is strongly associated with an increase in negative infant-parent interactions and adverse infant emotional and cognitive outcomes. Although less-frequently studied, postpartum fathers also experience sleep disturbance and sleepiness associated impairments that impact their families. Despite this, postpartum sleep should be considered a normative developmental period, and the need for intervention can be seen as a byproduct of social and economic expectations that new parents return to the workforce soon after childbirth. Heretofore, there is little evidence to support the efficacy of interventions to improve parent sleep, though some suggest that socially disadvantaged families may benefit most from advice regarding infant and maternal sleep. Also reviewed here is the evidence for a high proportion of children reported to co-sleep with their parents -despite the professional recommendations in the United States -and the need for family education regarding safe co-sleeping. Finally, one obstacle to a woman's decision to breastfeed may be concern about how this will affect her sleep; the evidence for a lack of impact of infant breast feeding on maternal sleep is evident.

Delayed sleep timing and circadian rhythms in pregnancy and transdiagnostic symptoms associated with postpartum depression

“…Following the birth, sleep quality continues to deteriorate, with worsened sleep efficiency 7 and further sleep loss at night, although some studies show relatively stable total sleep duration with the inclusion of scattered daytime naps 8 . Although the sleep duration may be intact, fragmentation of sleep can still cause significant daytime sleepiness in the postpartum 9 . By the end of the so-called "fourth trimester," that is, first 3 months postpartum, the mothers' sleep has generally begun to improve 7 , but does not necessarily return to pre-pregnancy levels 10 .…”

The experience of first‐time Hong Kong Chinese fatherhood: A qualitative exploratory study

“…States that both parents experienced sleep disruption and sleep loss in their first time parenthood Montgomery-Downs, Stremler, & Insana, 2013). Long working hours is one of the obstacles that prevent fathers from participating in family affairs and child rearing in Hong Kong (Chou & Cheung, 2013).…”

Long-term effects of pregnancy and childbirth on sleep satisfaction and duration of first-time and experienced mothers and fathers

“…Further, little is known regarding the impact of protective and risk factors on sleep disturbances during pregnancy and the postpartum years; most previous research has considered the effects of breastfeeding on maternal sleep, with inconsistent findings. While one study showed greater sleep fragmentation among breastfeeding women 15 , others have not found sleep duration or quality differences between women using different feeding methods 7 , or even longer RUNNING HEAD: Childbirth and sleep 5 sleep duration among breastfeeding mothers 20 (for a review see Montgomery-Downs and colleagues 21 ).…”