Smart Sleep Advice for Working Mothers

Hi, I'm Dr. Olman. Are you a sleep starved working mum? You're not alone, working mothers with young kids are two and a half times more likely than working dads to get up at night and care for their kids. That motherhood sleep penalty can make you grumpy and irritable, not fun for your kids. Lack of sleep also puts you at greater risk for accidents and weight gain.

It's hard on your immune system too, making you even more vulnerable to those cold and flu germs that kids bring home from day care and school. Here's how to get your zees, make a deal with your partner to alternate kid duty night. Use only a night leg to guide you to your child's bedroom as bright lights hold melotonium production, a hormone that helps you fall asleep.

Try progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to get back to sleep, don't turn on the TV even if you're tossing and turning, the glowing light will make it even harder to nod off. For more tips to sleep better, watch all our Health Smarts videos, right here.