Moms With This Many Kids Get the Least Amount of Sleep

The more the merrier? Well, it’s not that simple.

Moms who have three kids get the least amount of sleep, according to an Amerisleep survey featured in a report from TODAY. The data analyzed more than 30,000 people spanning 2015 to 2017. While moms of three could use a good night’s sleep, moms of five are surprisingly getting to hit the hay. Mothers who had five children were the most well-rested, racking up 9 hours of sleep every night compared to the 8.8 hours of sleep mothers of three get, according to the survey.

As the TODAY report points out, it makes sense. If you’re raising kids with a significant other, when you welcome your third child into the world, it’s the first time you and your partner are outnumbered. Having three kids means adjusting your day-to-day (and night-to-night!) routines until you find what works best for you. By the time a mom is on to her fifth child, she’s already a master in being in a bunch of different places at the same time, and has managed to grow a couple of extra hands along the way.

Sleep in general is hard to come by when you’re a parent. It’ll get easier once baby doesn’t need to be fed or soothed overnight, but it could be a while before you get back into your regular sleep routine. A previous study from the University of Warwick claims new parents don’t sleep well for up to six years after their child is born. Yikes!

If exhausted and sleep-deprived have become your everyday accessories, try out a couple of these easy ways to help you catch a little more Zzzs. And when all else fails, remember misery loves company and a ton of other parents just like you are facing the same dilemma. You got this!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.