What term describes the build-up of exhaustion in parents resulting from insufficient sleep between major walking periods of newborn babies?

The term that describes the build-up of exhaustion in parents resulting from insufficient sleep between major waking periods of newborn babies is cumulative fatigue. This type of fatigue occurs when sleep deprivation accumulates over time due to consistent lack of adequate restorative sleep. New parents often experience this as they have to wake up frequently to care for their newborns, which can hinder their ability to recover fully each night.

Cumulative fatigue reflects a persistent state where rest is insufficient to counteract the fatigue incurred, leading to a decline in physical and mental performance. It is particularly relevant for parents of newborns, as their schedules can disrupt regular sleep patterns, resulting in a cycle of exhaustion that builds as the days go on.

Other types of fatigue mentioned, like acute fatigue, refers to short-term tiredness resulting from a specific event or a single day of poor sleep. Transitory fatigue suggests a temporary state that does not accumulate over time, while chronic fatigue encompasses long-term fatigue that may persist independently of acute or cumulative causes. However, for the situation of parents dealing with the challenges of newborn care and sleep deprivation, cumulative fatigue is the most appropriate term.