How Children Affect a Mother’s Sleep-Wake Rhythm

Some women may have a natural tendency to be a “night owl.” But a new study shows that their sleep-wake rhythm may change after they have children.

The study involved 179 women. Some were mothers, some were pregnant, and some had no children.

Results show that women with children are more likely to be “morning types.” This means they would have a stronger tendency to go to bed early and wake up early.

The study found that mothers woke up about 1.5 hours earlier on weekends. Women with children also reported falling asleep faster than the other women.

Which group of women got the most sleep? The women who were pregnant had the longest average sleep duration.

Learn more about the many complex factors that can affect a woman’s sleep.