It is important to distinguish between objectively measured sleep and subjectively reported sleep quality. While some objective data, such as those from actigraphy, might show similar levels of physical disturbance for both partners, women often report a much greater decline in their perception of sleep quality when co-sleeping. This subjective dissatisfaction stems from the confluence of the factors mentioned—the higher rate of underlying sleep issues (like insomnia), the caregiving vigilance, and the hormonal sensitivity—which makes any external disruption feel significantly more taxing and less restorative, even if the total sleep time is comparable.
