As all mothers will tell you, parenting is exhausting. Now research has shown exactly how exhausting it is.

A new study by researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia has proven that mothers, on average, get five hours sleep less a week than women without children.

So whilst some child-free women are out late on weeknights with social engagements, or partying all night on the weekend, mums are still getting less sleep each week.

Exhausted: A new study has shown that women with children sleep on average five hours less a week than women who are child free

Inequality: Researchers found that there is a sleep 'gender gap', with mothers suffering more than fathers, especially as they have more children

It also found that fathers lose sleep each week, but not at the same level as mothers, only losing two hours of sleep a week.

The research also found that parents with children under the age of one were at the most risk of losing sleep, and that the hours of sleep lost increased with each subsequent child.

Mothers with one young child got 48.8 hours of sleep a week, with this decreasing to 45.8 hours after their second child and 44.5 hours after their third baby.

Hitting snooze: In order to to try and combat this lack of sleep, researchers have suggested employers have sleep pods in offices to allows mothers to nap

Nap time: Fathers also get sleep, on average two hours less a week, than men who didn't have children

The research found that there was a 'gender gap' when it comes to sleep, with mothers always clocking less sleep than fathers.

The data also showed that women who are single mothers and have a professional qualification and job are getting even less sleep than the average.

In order to try and improve these statistics, the study also included recommendations to help combat this lack of sleep in mothers, ranging from government-funded initiatives to creative solutions employers can implement.

Family help: Other initiatives that could help improve sleep quality include tax incentives for family members such as grandparents to help care for children

Compounding factors: Women who have a professional qualification and are single mothers get even less sleep than women who have partners or less demanding jobs

One option suggested by the study's authors is for employers to provide sleep pods at work 'to enable short, restorative naps' for parents.

Employment of flexi-working and reduced work hours could also make an impact, as well as employers giving more support for working from home arrangements.