Sleep-deprived moms, look away now!
A new study has revealed that lack of sleep in the first six months after having a baby can add up to seven years to your biological age.
The UCLA study, which was published in the journal Sleep Health, followed 33 mothers during their pregnancies and the first year of their babies’ lives.
Biological age
Scientists then analysed their DNA to determine their ‘biological age’, which can differ from chronological age.
The researchers found that a year after giving birth, the biological age of the mums who slept less than seven hours a night at the six-month mark was three to seven years older than those who logged seven hours or more.
As well as that, the US researchers found that mothers who slept less than seven hours also had shorter pieces of DNA in their white blood cells.
Health risks
What does that mean you might ask?
It's been linked to serious health problems, said the study in the journal, Sleep Health.
"Sleep health is just as vital to overall health as diet and exercise," says lead author Professor Judith Carroll, of the University of California in Los Angeles.
‘The early months of postpartum sleep deprivation could have a lasting effect on physical health.
Sleep health
"We know from a large body of research that sleeping less than seven hours a night is detrimental to health and increases the risk of age-related diseases."
While participants’ nightly sleep ranged from five to nine hours, more than half were getting less than seven hours - both six months and one year after giving birth, the researchers found.
Sleep support
So what's the solution?
We don't mean to sound like a broken record but you need to sleep when the baby sleeps, accept offers from family and friends for a few hours rest, and take turns with your partner sleeping in the spare room if you can!