The influence of sleep quality on weight retention in the postpartum period.

Poor sleep in the postpartum is often treated as an unavoidable consequence of childbirth. This study aims to compare objective and subjective measures of sleep, explore the relationship between sleep and postpartum weight retention (PPWR), and investigate factors which may contribute to sleep quality in the postpartum period. In this cross-sectional cohort, PPWR, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and objective sleep and physical activity(accelerometry) were assessed in 109 women 0-52 weeks postpartum. Anthropometric and demographic data were collected. GWG was classified as inadequate, appropriate, or excessive according to IOM guidelines. Average GWG(33.7lbs) and PPWR(5.39lbs) were not different between "good"( PSQI <6) and "bad"(PSQI ≥6) sleepers. Following adjustment, mothers with excessive GWG who were "bad" sleepers had 5.26 higher odds of PPWR ≥ 10lbs compared to all other combinations of GWG and PSQI. PSQI was not correlated with total sleep time (accelerometer-derived). Light activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) were associated with reduced odds of being a "bad" sleeper. The influence of GWG on PPWR was modified by postpartum sleep quality. Both light activity and meeting the MVPA guidelines in the postpartum were associated with higher sleep quality (See supplementary file S1). Novelty Bullets •Subjectively rated poor sleep may represent the number of awakenings and WASO in postpartum women. •Poor postpartum sleep quality ↑ excessive postpartum weight retention in women with excessive GWG. •Women doing light-vigorous physical activity in the postpartum are less likely to experience poor sleep quality.