Lack of Sleep in Mothers May Accelerate Aging

Women's sleep is often affected by motherhood, and what are the long-term consequences?

A recent study released by the University of California (UCLA) and published in the scientific journal Sleep Health showed that the lack of sleep in mothers during the first six months is often affected and may accelerate cellular aging.

The research followed women aged 23 to 45 during pregnancy and the first year of their children's lives. The result was an increase in biological age of three to seven years in women who slept less than seven hours a day.

According to sleep medicine specialist and president of the Brazilian Sleep Association – regional ES, Jéssica Polese, most first-time mothers with newborns up to six months old hardly sleep due to the attention given to the baby and breastfeeding, which is very important during this period. "Breastfeeding becomes the only food in the early life, and mothers spend countless nights taking care of the little ones," says the doctor.

With this research, we have proof that mothers really suffer from sleep deprivation and are at risk of health damage. "Several sleepless nights, accumulated over months, can cause various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and even depression," warns Jéssica.

Another factor that caught attention in the research is that these women also had shorter telomeres in their white blood cells. "Telomeres are structures of DNA proteins that prevent the wear of genetic material," explains the doctor. "With this data, the risk of cardiovascular diseases is also greater," she highlights.

Given this scenario, our tip is to always let the mother rest whenever possible during these first six crucial months regarding sleep. "Any nap helps in this case for them to rest, and the help of a partner or family is very valuable. It is essential to understand this moment, especially for women who work outside the home, to realize that maternity leave must be fully utilized for total dedication to the baby and their health," concludes the doctor.