- short sleep in the initial 6 months after childbirth can add 3 to 7 years to women’s biological age



A new research published in June 2021 in the journal Sleep Health suggests that the many sleepless nights of new moms while caring for their newborns might be taking years of their life.

The scientists examined 33 new moms in the Los Angeles area during their pregnancies and one year after giving birth.

The researchers split the 33 new moms into two groups. One group got sufficient amount of sleep each night, which is seven hours or more each night. The other group got less than recommended sleep of between five and six-and-a-half hours of sleep each night.

Blood samples were taken to analyse the women’s DNA and estimate their biological age.

The results showed that one year after giving birth, the biological age of mothers who slept less was three to seven years older than their chronological age.

Also, mothers who had insufficient sleep had shorter telomeres in their white blood cells. These small pieces of DNA at the ends of chromosomes act as protective caps, like the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces. Shortened telomeres have been linked to a higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular and other diseases, and earlier death.

According to the study’s first author, Judith Carroll, UCLA’s George F. Solomon professor of psychobiology, this is the first research to examine biological aging in new moms.

“We found that with every hour of additional sleep, the mother’s biological age was younger,”

This study alone can’t conclusively state the link between sleep and aging in moms.

“It’s the first study, with a really small number of participants,” Carroll said.

The study also can’t explain whether the increase in biological age can be reversed.

More studies are needed before any conclusions could be reached.

“We don’t want the message to be that mothers are permanently damaged by infant care and loss of sleep,” said Christine Dunkel Schetter, professor of psychology and psychiatry and co-author of the study. “We don’t know if these effects are long lasting.”

Even so, the study moves sleep research into new territory. Future studies could look at how sleep deprivation affects fathers and others losing sleep to care for children, and at the social factors preventing moms from getting enough sleep now.

It also consistent with findings from previous research which linked less than seven hours of sleep each night on a regular basis with poor health, including weight gain, having a body mass index of 30 or higher, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression..

“Sleep is important for overall health, and it needs to be considered as part of one of those lifestyle factors,” just like exercise and diet, Carroll said.

That may be difficult for moms who work early shifts, work two jobs, or can’t catch a break.

Carroll urged new moms to as much as possible take advantage of opportunities to get a little extra sleep, like taking naps during the day when their baby is asleep, accepting offers of assistance from family and friends, and, when possible, asking their partner to help with the baby during the night or early morning. “Taking care of your sleep needs will help you and your baby in the long run,” she said.


https://www.yourhealthng.com.ng/2021/08/11/insufficient-sleep-in-women-after-childbirth-may-cause-accelerated-aging/