Survey identifies sleep permission gap among U.S. mothers

A survey of 1,000 mothers in the United States, conducted by Naturepedic in partnership with Wakefield Research, has identified a “sleep permission gap.” The study focused on mothers aged 25 to 45 to understand the relationship between motherhood, sleep quality, and guilt.

Key findings indicate that 62% of mothers feel they require formal permission from others to prioritize sleep without feeling guilty. Additionally, 83% of respondents report waking up feeling unrefreshed, regardless of the actual duration of sleep. The data shows that 48% of mothers receive less than seven hours of sleep per night, and 90% struggle with a racing mind at bedtime.

The report suggests that “moral licensing”—a behavioral science concept where individuals feel they must earn rest through prior good deeds—may contribute to why many mothers feel rest is something to be earned rather than a necessity.