4.12: Sleep
- Page ID
- 249436
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Fig. 4.12. Newborn infant sleeping.
Image source: Andrés Nieto Porras. Sleeping newborn infant. Wikimedia Commons. December 18, 2012. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
Sleep
A newborn typically sleeps approximately 16.5 hours during a 24-hour period, usually in shorter spurts and splitting sleep time equally between day and night and often. These multiple sleep periods are known polyphasic sleep. At one month of age, an infant is averaging 15 hours per 24-hour period and by 6 months of age dropping to 14 hours. By the time children turn 2, they are averaging closer to 10 hours per 24 hour period.
The average newborn will spend close to 50% of their sleep time in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, which decreases to 25% to 30% in childhood as they grow into childhood.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Safe Sleep
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is identified when the death of a healthy infant occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. Medical and forensic investigation, including autopsy, regarding cause of death show have been inconclusive. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants 1 to 12 months old. Researchers speculate there may be a connection between SIDS and possible problems in the area of an infant's brain that regulates breathing and waking up from sleep.
Researchers have found that the most important action to prevent SIDS may be to place a baby on their back to sleep.
Figure 4.12.1. – A baby sleeping safely.
Image source: Jean Zaar. Chapter 4: Physical Development in Infancy & Toddlerhood. Child Growth and Development. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0
Risk Factors for SIDS
Babies are at higher risk for SIDS if they sleep:
- on their stomachs
- on soft surfaces
- adult mattress, couch, chair, boppy, or under soft coverings
- under soft or loose bedding
- get too hot during sleep
- are exposed to cigarette smoke in the womb or in their environment
- in an adult bed with parents, other children, or pets and is especially dangerous if the
- adult smokes, has recently had alcohol, or is tired
- baby is covered by a blanket or quilt
- baby sleeps with more than one bed-sharer
- baby is younger than 11 to 14 weeks of age.
Reducing the Risks of SIDS
Always place baby on his or her back to sleep (for naps and at night). and
- use a firm and flat surface.
- use only a tight-fitting sheet on the sleep surface,
- use no other bedding or soft items in the sleep area.
- in same room as parents, but on a separate surface designed for infants \
- do not put soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, or loose bedding under, over, or anywhere near baby’s sleep area
- do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around baby.
- consider giving baby a pacifier.
- do not let baby get too hot during sleep.
- get regular health checkups (including vaccines).
- avoid products that go against safe sleep recommendations, especially those that claim to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS