SnoozeShade, the UK’s favourite range of baby sun and sleep shades, has announced the results of its inaugural Annual UK Parent Sleep Survey. Uncovering the stark reality of how those 8 hours of beauty sleep are cut short once parenthood arrives.
The 2023 UK Parent Sleep Survey revealed that a staggering 85% of parents experience sleep deprivation in the early days with more than 65% of British parents losing over 3-4 hours of sleep a night with a newborn.
It’s fair to say that hearing parents are tired is not new information… but the survey also revealed that parents’ lives are being ruled by their baby’s sleep as a worrying 72% of parents would choose not to go out in the daytime in case it disrupts naptime, and 78% of parents admitted to leaving an event early in case it negatively impacts on their baby’s sleep.
Getting out and about at any time is important for our mental wellbeing, but with a new baby, it is absolutely vital to get out of the house and have a healthy social life with social support as this can increase the risks of post-natal depression. These findings should not be ignored.
With the survey results in mind, SnoozeShade is more passionate than ever to help parents claim those hours back and inspire positive changes, especially for the 82% of parents who said they became obsessed with getting their little ones to sleep.
Speaking about the results Cara Sayer, Inventor of SnoozeShade and Mum, said:
“Everyone knows how important sleep is for newborns – sleep helps babies thrive and grow – but it’s sad to see how many parents are being held hostage to their baby’s sleep schedule at a time when they need to be socially active to get the support they need from friends and family.
I suffered from post-natal depression after the birth of my daughter. Catching up with friends and going for a walk with the pram was a lifesaver for me. It’s the reason I invented SnoozeShade as I often had to decide between the upheaval of having a cranky baby who hadn’t slept or my own sanity if I was stuck at home.
I hope our annual survey will raise awareness and alert new families that they can enjoy regular trips out the house without disturbing baby’s sleep habits and there are ways to facilitate that.”
Also reflecting on the survey, midwife Marie Louise (@themodernmidwife) said:
“Sadly, postnatal mental health problems are reaching record level highs in the U.K, and for almost all mums, sleep deprivation is a big contributing factor, we certainly should not take lightly that a massive 85% of new parents admit to feeling this way. Sleep is a survival need so we must be mindful of how a lack of it will impact on new mums’ mental health, but alongside getting good sleep when they can, getting out and about and seeing people is vitally important as well. Although it may not appeal at the time, and it’s easier to stay home where baby will nap… but mums must take care of their own wellbeing also.”
Rosey Davidson Founder & CEO Just Chill Baby Sleep (@just_chill_mama)
added:
‘When we’re feeling tired and running low on energy, getting outside for walk can feel like the last thing we want to do. But, getting out of the house and into the natural light can do wonders for our energy levels, and have a positive impact on sleep. Exposure to daylight in the mornings especially, and late afternoon can help set our baby’s circadian rhythms (their internal body clocks) helping the brain know when we should be awake, and asleep. Being outside also gives you and your baby a change of scene. The sights and sounds of nature are also stimulating, interesting and relaxing for babies and young children.
What the survey found
85% of parents experienced sleep deprivation in the early days of parenting
82% of parents became obsessed with getting their little one to sleep
65% of parents lost over 3 hours of sleep a night in the early newborn days
72% of parents limit going out in the daytime (for coffee with a friend) due to baby’s nap
78% of parents have left an event early in case it negatively impacts on their baby’s sleep
62% of parents resorted to extra measures to get their baby to sleep, such as driving around in the car at night
About SnoozeShade
Learning that hundreds of parents restrict going out due to the daytime nap, is proof that they need sleep solutions such as a SnoozeShade which has become renowned for helping new parents stick to napping routines wherever they are.
By helping to create the perfect sleep environment, the SnoozeShade collection for cots, strollers, and car seats, ensures little ones can get the sleep they need wherever they are thanks to its unique scientifically tested air-permeable mesh, air easily passes through the multi-award-winning blackout shade, to create the perfect napping haven inside.
Coming in many varieties for pushchairs, twin strollers, car seats, and even cots, each shade also blocks at least 97.5% of UVA and UVB rays and shields against the elements of rain, wind and chills; it even blocks insects too to keep little ones truly protected .