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New parents lose 657 hours of sleep per year

Research published today by the charity Book Trust reveals that new parents lose 675 hours of sleep per year- the equivalent of almost four weeks of less sleep a year.

It is based on a survey of over 1,000 families of children aged three and under on sleeping habits and bedtime routines, which also found that sleep deprivation is the most stressful challenge about becoming a parent, second only to worries about children’s health. A fifth of respondents (21 per cent) revealed they have taken a day off work to catch up on lost sleep.

Findings from the survey also reveal that children whose parents do not use a bath, book, bed routine with them are less relaxed at bedtime, get-up more often during the night and get fed more frequently.

Parents who don’t follow a bath, book, bed routine reported that their health, productivity and sense of humour suffers as a result.

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