Over 100 Sleepless Nights: Why Sleep Deprivation Means More Than Just Fatigue for Parents

(2025 Survey: Parents in the First Year)

Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest challenges in the first year with a baby. But how dramatic is the actual loss of sleep? The numbers from our survey (1,100 parents in their baby's first year, conducted in 02/2024 in the Land of Little Dreamers) speak for themselves:

On average, parents sleep only 5.5 hours per night—2.5 hours less than before their baby was born. Over the course of a year, this adds up to 912 lost hours of sleep, equivalent to 38 full days.

In other words, parents lose the equivalent of 109 sleepless nights within just twelve months.

But shortened nights aren’t the only issue—constant interruptions make it nearly impossible to get truly restorative sleep.

Constant Wake-Ups

Parents wake up an average of 3.1 times per night to care for their baby. That amounts to more than 1,126 interruptions per year.

And even when the baby falls back asleep, parents don’t necessarily do so immediately. On average, it takes them 16 minutes to fall asleep again. Over time, this adds up to almost 50 minutes of wakefulness per night—more than 12 full days per year (over 18,240 minutes) spent lying awake, waiting for sleep.

Most parents feel exhausted from this extreme burden—but for many, the heavier weight is the feeling of being alone with it all at night.

Catching Up on Sleep? Mostly Impossible

We often hear: “Just sleep during the day when the baby sleeps.” But in reality, this doesn’t work for most parents. Our survey reveals:

  • 76% of parents rarely or never take naps during the day.
  • On average, parents manage to lie down for a nap only once per week.

This means that nighttime sleep deprivation is hardly compensated for. Instead, exhaustion builds up day after day. Chronic lack of sleep doesn’t just cause tiredness—it affects concentration, emotions, and overall well-being.

Baby Carrying – Bonding Time or Burden?

For many babies, falling asleep in their parents’ arms is a given. And while some parents cherish this as a bonding experience, for others—especially when it takes a long time—it can become overwhelming.

Our survey found:

  • Parents spend an average of 10.4 minutes per sleep onset carrying their baby.
  • Since babies fall asleep multiple times a day (on average four times in the first year), this amounts to 41.6 minutes daily.
  • Over the course of a year, this adds up to more than 15,200 minutes—or nearly 11 full days spent carrying the baby to sleep.

Interestingly, while nearly 40% of parents do not carry their baby at all, another group reports carrying their baby for more than 30 minutes per sleep onset. The differences are significant.

However, for many parents, carrying is one of the few reliable ways to help their baby fall asleep—even though it requires a lot of energy.

Sleep Deprivation Is More Than Just Fatigue – It Affects the Body and Mind

Insufficient sleep isn’t just a physical challenge. Our survey shows that it also places a significant emotional burden on many parents:

  • 48% of parents often or always feel stressed because their baby doesn’t sleep well.
  • 18% often and 33% occasionally feel anxious before bedtime, fearing another sleepless night.
  • Only 19.8% go to bed feeling relaxed—most associate nighttime with worry.

These findings highlight that sleep issues don’t just lead to physical exhaustion but also take an emotional toll. Nights with a baby are often unpredictable, and many parents feel left to navigate them alone.

Nighttime Loneliness

In the middle of the night, while everyone else is asleep, parents get up to rock their baby, feed them, or desperately try to soothe them. But how does this feel?

  • 35% of parents often or always feel lonely when caring for their baby at night.
  • Only 15% do not experience nighttime loneliness—meaning that for most, waking up at night is an isolating experience.

It’s not just the exhaustion that weighs on parents—it’s also the feeling that no one else is sharing these sleepless nights with them.

And even when the world wakes up again during the day, the exhaustion remains.

Exhaustion as a Constant Companion

Sleep deprivation doesn’t come without consequences. Going months or even years without enough sleep affects more than just moments of tiredness—it impacts overall well-being.

  • 42% of parents frequently or very frequently feel exhausted or overwhelmed.
  • Only 8.8% report no symptoms of exhaustion—meaning that over 90% experience some form of fatigue.

These numbers show that sleep deprivation isn’t just about feeling tired. It can affect mood, emotional resilience, and even health.

Conclusion: An Underestimated Problem

The results of our survey highlight what many parents perceive as a personal weakness: Sleep deprivation is an enormous burden—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

  • Parents lose the equivalent of 109 nights of sleep in the first year.
  • They are woken up more than 1,126 times per year.
  • They spend nearly two weeks per year simply lying awake in bed, unable to sleep.
  • The majority cannot compensate for sleep loss during the day.
  • Many feel overwhelmed, stressed, or alone at night.

These numbers don’t just illustrate how exhausting the first months with a baby can be—they also emphasize how crucial support and understanding are for parents during this time.

Because sleep deprivation is not just a phase—it’s a challenge that often pushes parents to their limits.

Why Good Sleep Is Not a Luxury, But a Necessity

The numbers speak for themselves: Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest challenges for parents in their baby’s first year. Over 100 lost nights, more than 1,100 nighttime interruptions, constant exhaustion, and the feeling of facing the nights alone—this is the reality for many parents.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Good sleep isn’t just a matter of luck—it’s something that can be nurtured with the right knowledge, effective strategies, and a gentle approach.

At Land of Little Dreamers, our goal is not only to help parents improve their baby’s sleep but also to guide them toward better rest themselves. Because when babies sleep better, parents do too—leading to more energy, less stress, and a happier family overall.

The first months with a baby are challenging enough—sleep deprivation shouldn’t be an added burden. That’s why we are committed to supporting parents with proven tips, expert knowledge, and gentle approaches. So that sleep can become what it should be: a source of restoration, not exhaustion.

Land of Little Dreamers – For Peaceful Nights and Happy Days.

 


The Exact Survey Results:

1. How many hours of sleep do you get per night on average since your baby was born?

% Answer
13.88% More than 7 hours
32.05% 6–7 hours
33.52% 5–6 hours
15.43% 4–5 hours
5.11% Less than 4 hours

2. How many hours of sleep have you lost per night?

% Answer
3.77% None
34.12% 1–2 hours
37.32% 2–3 hours
18.28% 3–4 hours
6.5% More than 4 hours

3. How often do you wake up at night to take care of your baby?

% Answer
5.57% Never
10.37% Once
18.25% Twice
22.86% Three times
42.94% More than three times

4. On average, how many minutes does it take you to fall back asleep after waking up at night for your baby?

% Answer
32.98% Less than 10 minutes
37.72% 10–20 minutes
18.76% 20–30 minutes
6.19% 30–40 minutes
4.35% More than 40 minutes

8. How often do you feel stressed due to your baby’s sleep problems?

% Answer
1.28% Never
12.62% Rarely
37.67% Occasionally
38.86% Often
9.57% Always

7. Do you carry your baby to help them fall asleep?

% Answer
39.39% No
19.16% Yes, but only for a few minutes.
21.32% Yes, on average 10–20 min
7.76% Yes, on average 20–30 min
12.38% Yes, on average more than 30 min

9. Are you afraid of going to bed because you expect a sleepless night?

% Answer
19.8% Never
25.35% Rarely
32.77% Occasionally
18.12% Often
3.96% Always

10. Do you often feel alone at night when taking care of your baby?

% Answer
15.19% Never
21.45% Rarely
28.3% Occasionally
26.42% Often
8.64% Always

11. How much does sleep deprivation affect your mood and productivity?

% Answer
1.99% Not at all
18.05% A little
43.27% Moderately
36.69% Severely

12. Have you noticed symptoms of exhaustion or overwhelm since your baby was born?

% Answer
8.78% No
48.9% Occasionally
26.55% Frequently
15.77% Very frequently

Sleepless nights, endless attempts to get your baby to sleep, and the nagging question: "Am I doing something wrong?" – We know this all too well.

At Land of Little Dreamers, we support parents on their journey to more restful nights—without losing sight of their baby's needs. No rigid rules, no pressure—just gentle, attachment-based, and practical solutions that truly fit your family.

Our approach? Attachment-oriented, evidence-based, and flexible—so that sleep once again becomes restorative for your whole family.