I never gave much thought to my sleeping habits until I became a mother myself. My university days were spent studying through the nights just before exams, fuelled by energy drinks; and my early marriage years were all about late night movies and socialising with friends. I always knew sleep was necessary, but only now, as a mother do I value each and every hour I get to sleep and realise its importance for my wellbeing.
As mothers of new born and pre-schoolers, we can all agree that we usually find ourselves complaining about the quality and the quantity of our sleep, just like we are complaining about the baby food stains on our tops or those surprise egg videos on Youtube. Sleep deprivation in mothers starts from pregnancy, when you find yourself waking up numerous times at night to relieve your bladder and continues for a few more years with toddlers waking you up in the middle of the night. Also, let me see a show of hands for how many of you find yourselves having to catch up on things that you didn’t get to do during the day around children, once they have finally gone to bed. It could be working on your laptop, scrolling through Instagram or even watching the latest Netflix series. We mums work and relax late through the night. Therefore, further losing out on that much required sleep.
Attitude towards sleep
There is significant data out there that links various diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and poor performance at work, to sleep deprivation. For mums, there is even research that links permissive parenting to lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep, and chronic exhaustion, can lead to tiredness, inability to function adequately and careless mistakes. Getting the dirty dishes and the laundry done at 11:45 pm, on a working day shouldn’t be priority over half an hour of extra sleep. Over working and fatigue is serious. Sleep experts are trying to change the attitude people have towards quality sleep. It is just as important as a healthy diet and good exercise.
Tips for sleep deprived mothers
As difficult as it may be for mothers of young children to work on their sleeping habits, here are a few small steps you can take to improve your quality of sleep:
- Even with a sleep routine in place, expect that you will be woken up in the middle of the night by your children. With babies, you will be waking up six to eight times during the night and there isn’t much you can do about it. So, plan to go to bed early in order to compensate for the time you will lose.
- If your child naps during the day, nap with him/her. This way you both get to recharge before the remaining half of the day begins
- Get a baby sitter or a family member to watch the children on weekends, while you catch up on sleep. Knowing your children are being looked after will definitely help you relax.
- Do the things that will help you relax before bed. Bedtime routines are not just for children and should be included for yourself to help you unwind too. So, a herbal tea, dim lights and a good book just before bed sounds perfect.
Sleep Expo Middle East 2019
Here to help mothers with their sleeping habits, the need for self-care and to create awareness about the importance of quality sleep, is the Sleep Expo Middle East 2019, being held at Dubai Festival City Arena. A three day event, scheduled from the 11th to the 13th of April, this first-of-its-kind event in the Middle East will bring together sleep experts, health and wellness professionals and innovators to discuss technological advancements in the area of sleep. Another interesting experience at the Sleep Expo include a Sleep Care Zone, a dedicated area for Sleep Consultations, Yoga classes, Foot massages and much more.
More information on Sleep Expo Middle East, including exhibitor’s list and conference agenda, please visit www.sleepexpome.com
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