We're still a nation of sleep-deprived parents, new survey reveals

To mark the start of Sleep Week, we've carried out a major new survey of parents to find out about their children's sleep patterns and routines. Turns out, nothing has changed since our last sleep survey four years ago ... we’re still a nation of sleep-deprived parents!

As part of the national Sleep Week campaign, Netmums is revealing the results of its sleep survey of more than 7,000 parents, in conjuction with The Children's Sleep Charity.

Our findings reveal that getting your baby or child to sleep through the night is a huge problem for UK parents.

Despite all the information we have at our fingertips, we're still struggling when it comes to getting enough shut-eye.

Over half of parents who took part said their baby or child wakes up AT LEAST once in the night – the same findings as from the sleep survey we conducted four years ago.

The results also mirrored our 2012 survey, with over a third of parents saying they're regularly sleep-deprived and exhausted. And three fifths of us lie to others about how well we’re coping with sleep deprivation.

If you’re not a fan of sleep training, this cycle of night-time wakings can feel paralysing … and make you dread bedtime.

Sleep deprivation is not only utterly exhausting, it's well documented that it can cause a wide range of problems, including low mood, anxiety and poor immunity.

So why is it that, despite other advancements in parenting and the reams of information at our fingertips, we haven’t moved on in getting our babies and children to sleep through the night?

Sleep Week campaign

Around 40% of children will suffer with sleep issues at some point during their childhood. This rises to 86% for children with additional needs.

And this means we are a nation of sleep-deprived parents.

To help, we’re proud to announce our new partnership with the Children's Sleep Charity.

Look out for more advice, tips and video workshops coming soon to help with sleep problems.

Given the findings in our survey, it seems we could all do with a bit of help at times ...

Netmums baby sleep survey - the key findings

• 56% of parents revealed their child/children wake up once, twice, three times or more during any one night.
• 35% said they are regularly sleep-deprived and exhausted.
• 22% said that a lack of sleep had an effect on their relationship with their partner.
• 23% admitted lack of sleep has had an impact on their own wellbeing and mental health.
• 17% said their partner is regularly sleep-deprived and exhausted.
• 17% admitted their child is regularly tired and grumpy during the day.

Bedtime behaviour

Every parent knows that a strong bedtime routine is key to helping our little ones sleep through the night. But from our survey, it’s clear there are bedtime flashpoints that are keeping kids awake …

• More than a third (33%) of parents said they don't have a set bedtime routine.
• 29% admitted their children play on an electronic device (a phone or a tablet) most or every night.
• 14% of parents said their children's bedtimes are tough and so up and down they think they have a real problem.
  

Sleep deprivation

This can be an absolute killer - many parents on our Coffeehouse forum talk of being driven to the brink by a lack of sleep. Not only that, it can affect physical and mental health. (And have an impact on relationships.)

Here’s what our survey found about sleep deprivation - and it seems many of us are hiding the fact you're not getting any sleep:

• 59% of parents have lied about how well they've coped with sleep deprivation.
• 31% admitted they have lied about co-sleeping.
• 14% have lied about the time their child goes to bed.
• 11% said they'd lied about playing 'musical beds' or sleeping on the floor next to their child's bed.

‘I was so tired I drove on the wrong side of the road’

We asked parents if they have ever done any mad, sleep-deprived things, as a result of nights struggling with a child who's up and down during the night.

Some of the answers were shocking:

1. 'I put clean washing in the oven but thankfully didn't light it.'

2. ‘I drove on the wrong side of the road.’

3. 'I put my mobile phone in the fridge and lost it until a friend rang it for me.'

4. ‘I went to the shop in PJs.’

5. ‘I fell asleep on the toilet! Used to regularly fall asleep in the bath too.’

6. ‘Hallucinated.’

7. ‘Put the kettle in the fridge and the milk on the kettle stand.’

Do you have problems with getting your baby or child to sleep through the night? Are you sleep-deprived? Let us know your experiences.

And why not talk to other parents who are going through the same thing.

For tips on how to help your children have a good night's sleep, see here.