Not Losing Baby Weight Related to Not Sleeping

A full nights’ sleep can help you lose 11 pounds (5kg).

Or, if your six month-old baby still isn’t sleeping through the night, that’s how much “baby weight” you’re likely to be holding onto at the baby’s first birthday party.

Mothers of six month-olds who say they get less than five hours sleep were three times more likely to keep significant amounts of baby weight on than mothers who get more than seven hours sleep per night says a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study’s authors say it is the first to look at the relationship between sleep deprivation on mothers’ failure to lose weight during the postpartum phase, although other studies have linked lack of sleep to weight gain in the general population.

“We’ve known for some time that sleep deprivation is associated with weight gain and obesity in the general population, but this study shows that getting enough sleep – even just two hours more – may be as important as a healthy diet and exercise for new mothers to return to their pre-pregnancy weight,” said lead author Erica P. Gunderson, PhD.

The study authors remind us that sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. It might cause hormonal changes that stimulate the appetite and make us over eat. Not getting enough sleep has not only been linked to obesity, but to coronary artery disease and diabetes too. Isn’t that great to know?
Now, how to get more sleep and protect our collective health?

Aside from the adage of sleep when the baby sleeps, I have no idea. I’ve been going to bed earlier and earlier. I have no adult time, so I am not sure it’s a great tip. I also find that just shutting myself away for an entire morning on one weekend day helps me. I’ve used the No Cry Sleep Solution with great success with my son and rather mixed results with my daughter.

Do you have any hints for getting more sleep?