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SURVEY: 80% OF LONDON BABIES SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT AT 11 MONTHS - London Mums' study reveals that 60% of parents hardly socialise (22 December, 2008)

London, UK - 22nd December, 2008 - A survey conducted by London Mums, the only free and independent peer support group for mums based in London, in collaboration with Baby Sense, baby products' specialist company, reveals that 80% of the 200 mums who responded managed to get their babies to sleep through the night for the first time at 11 months (on average). The same sample said that in that period of time they had to get up at least twice every night for their children.

This obviously affects London mums' social life. 60% of the 200 who completed the survey hardly ever socialise with their friends since they have had a child and when they do they tend to socialise with people who have kids. 30% manage to go out with old friends once a month.

For 40% of mums who responded in their 'family-free' time they do exercise (gym, swimming, cycling, walking), 20% of mums said that they go to the hairdresser or have pampering sessions, 15% go out for dinner and 25% catch up on sleep.

98% of all interviewed agreed that the best thing about being a parent is seeing the children enjoying themselves, smiling and discovering the world. 70% of them said that the worst thing about being a parent is feeling inadequate for the parenting role. 25% said that the worst thing is having less time for themselves and only 4% of them said that tiredness and lack of sleep are the worst things about being a parent.

One mum commented: "The worst thing about parenthood is feeling as if you're not being a good enough parent, sometimes feeling pulled to the end of my senses with kids' demands. It's terrible to feel helplessness when kids are sick and those fears for their well being."

Megan Faure, co-author of 'Baby Sense' and 'Sleep Sense' recognises that "The transition to motherhood is one that challenges most women. A lack of sleep accompanied by the anxiety of caring for a new baby is very trying for new parents. Add to this the fact that parenting frequently happens in a relative vacuum - without extended family to help out, its no wonder new mums find themselves at a loss at times." Her book 'Sleep Sense' focuses on helping mums to get their babies sleeping through the night - a vital piece in the parenting puzzle.

According to Monica Costa, founder of London Mums, "Teaching your babies and toddlers to sleep is one of the most difficult things new parents have to go through. Babies don't come with a manual and new mothers definitely need a lot of support to be able to go through sleepless nights for such a long period of time. This can be very stressful and can put a lot of strain in the relationship with a partner." She added: "Experts as well as peer support such as the London Mums group are key to parents' wellbeing."

Megan will talk about 'Establishing good sleep habits' at a seminar for London Mums on 25th February 2009 at 7pm to be held at Cupcake (for directions www.cupcakemum.com) in Putney, South West London. Megan's talk will cover the basics in establishing good sleep habits from the outset with babies. It covers the sleep cycles and how sleep develops and looks at both day and night sleep patterns. It deals with the young infant right through to older baby (when sleep problems often arise) and the toddler years. Space is limited for this talk - to book a space please contact antoinette@babysense.com or call 0845 833 2282. Tickets are £15 including a copy of best-selling book 'Sleep Sense' which will be handed out on the night.

Megan has worked in paediatrics for fourteen years both in the USA and South Africa. Megan is the mother of three, an author and Occupational Therapist. She is the founder of the Infant Sensory Integration Training Program which will be presented for the first time in London in March.

The survey conducted between May and November 2008 is based on the responses of 200 new mums based in London with babies in the age group from 0 to 36 months. London Mums is confident that this represents a robust statistical return. Percentages don't always add up to 100% as some mothers gave more than one answer.