NORMAL SLEEP PATTERNS: INFANCY

Thursday, May 21, 2009 6:58

The sleeping pattern begins to change in the first 6 months. This is a time of considerable irregularity, as babies’ neurological systems mature at different rates, but in early infancy sleeping patterns tend to coincide with feeding times — that is, babies wake to feed.

By 6 weeks of age, babies are awake for longer periods during the day, as they begin to take an increasing interest in their environment and interact with their care-givers. By 6 months their sleep is less linked to feeding patterns. Rather than sleeping for most of the time, they are awake for longer periods and seem to have several naps during the day. Some infants, to the great delight of their parents, are already sleeping through the night.

Between 6 months and 1 year of age, sleep patterns change considerably. The typical baby will sleep 10-12 hours at night and have two naps during the day. A greater number of babies sleep right through the night. Some may wake several times but will often go back to sleep with a minimum of fuss. This is also the time when they begin to establish more regular and predictable patterns of sleep and feeding and playing. There is still variation, depending on temperament and other factors. This is also the time when patterns are easily disrupted by illness. Many sleep problems have their genesis during this period, with parents unwittingly interfering with their babies’ sleep cycles, for example waking him for a feed. It is important that your baby be allowed to develop his own sleep patterns with minimal parental interference.