Parents say bedtime the most stressful part of day: Survey

'Parents need to do what works for their individual family to get safe, healthy rest for everyone in that family unit,' expert says

Published Apr 26, 2026  •  2 minute read

Tired mother falling asleep next to her baby son's crib. Getty Images

Becoming a new parent comes with the obvious joys but it also comes with its challenges — and getting enough sleep is a big one.

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As adults, we’ve all been trained that bedtime is when a person should be winding down their day, and getting enough zzz’s so they are ready to tackle the next day.

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Obviously, babies don’t know that and many, if not most of them, through no fault of their own, but for those whose sleep is suffering, it may feel like they were born to mess with parents’ sleep cycles when they wake up in the middle of the night, whether it’s to get fed, get changed or they are simply stressed.

New data from baby care brand Rascals found that bedtime stress tops the list, with 32% of parents saying managing the bedtime routine is the most stressful part of parenting, and rising to 36% for children under the age of two.

Parents overwhelmingly said it is diaper changes in the middle of the night that resulted in the most dark undereye circles, with 97% admitting that leak protection is the most important feature they look for when choosing diapers.

“Small disruptions that can impact sleep often include things like loud noises external to the baby’s room, like an older sibling yelling or a loud vehicle on the street,” Erin Junker, pediatric sleep consultant and founder of The Happy Sleep Company, told the Toronto Sun.

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For noises, Junker suggested a sound machine, while blackout curtains in the baby’s nursery can help with that early morning sunshine creeping in.

Seasonal changes are also an issue, with 69% of parents worrying about how daylight saving time disrupts their child’s routine.

Rock-a-bye, baby, please! (Getty Images) Getty Images

Proactive parents are doing what they believe is necessary, with 52% saying they have tried sleep training, 24% have used special bedding or pajamas, while 15% have switched diaper brands in search of better sleep outcomes.

Junker noted that there aren’t specific don’ts that parents do that could be a cause for concern; rather, it’s simply about creating a loving, safe sleep situation for a child.

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“Parents need to do what works for their individual family to get safe, healthy rest for everyone in that family unit,” she said, but pointed out that won’t look the same for everyone.

Ultimately, a smooth bedtime routine may be a small thing but 32% called it a huge win and admitted it’s when they’ve felt the most accomplished as a parent.

Start with a sleep-conducive environment, Junker advised.

“That means dark, quiet, avoiding distractions, and creating a comfortable sleep situation for baby,” she said. And a good quality overnight diaper that protects against leaks for hours doesn’t hurt.

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