First-Time Mothers Face Severely Disrupted Sleep in Early Postpartum Period
New mothers experience severe sleep disruption during the first weeks after childbirth, averaging just 4.4 hours of sleep with persistent fragmentation for months, impacting postpartum recovery and mental health.
A recent study presented at SLEEP 2025 highlights significant sleep challenges faced by new mothers during the first year after childbirth. The research reveals that during the initial week postpartum, new mothers average only 4.4 hours of sleep per night, a sharp decline from their pre-pregnancy average of 7.8 hours. Moreover, their longest periods of uninterrupted sleep decrease from 5.6 hours before pregnancy to just 2.2 hours during the first week after delivery. Notably, nearly one-third of participants experienced more than 24 hours without sleep during this period.
Although sleep duration gradually increases to 6.7 hours in Weeks 2–7 and 7.3 hours in Weeks 8–13 postpartum, the quality of sleep remains compromised. The longest uninterrupted sleep stretch stays significantly lower than pre-pregnancy levels—at around 3.2 hours during Weeks 2–7 and 4.1 hours in Weeks 8–13—indicating persistent sleep fragmentation. This disruption of sleep continuity persists even as overall sleep time appears to recover.
Lead researcher Teresa Lillis explains that the profound loss of uninterrupted sleep is the most striking finding. She emphasizes that while total sleep hours may return to pre-pregnancy levels, the structure of sleep remains significantly altered, impacting recovery and well-being. The study involved 41 first-time mothers aged 26–43, who used wearable Fitbit devices to track sleep patterns over a year. The findings suggest that sleep discontinuity may contribute to postpartum exhaustion and could be a risk factor for depression and other health issues in new mothers.
The study underscores the importance of strategies aimed at protecting against sleep disruptions, advocating for interventions that allow mothers to achieve continuous sleep rather than simply increasing sleep duration. Conducted at Washington State University’s Sleep and Performance Research Center, the research offers valuable insights into postpartum sleep health and potential avenues for targeted support.
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