Neonates; sleep for approx 16 hrs a day split over several different sleep periods. Two main
types of sleep in neonates; Acitve sleep (similar to REM) and non-active sleep (similar to adult
non-REM). In REM they are often resltess and move their limbs more than adults would. It is usually
a 50:50 split however over the first few months the amount of active sleep decreases. By 20 months
they have established a sleep/wake cycle where they are awake between 10am and 8pm
One year olds; by this age they sleep stages have become more similar
to adult sleep stages. Total sleep is approx 13hrs a say and the length of
a sleep stage cycle is 60 minutes. Naps have decreased to just one a day
Five year olds; brain activity resembles that of adults. Although,
REM sleep still makes up about a third of sleep. The total amount
of sleep is about 10 hours, with boys sleeping slightly longer. It is
at this age sleepwalking may have become established
12 year olds; amount of sleep needed has decreased to 9hrs a
day. Deep sleep becomes more common at the start of sleep.
Amount of REM sleep drops to approx 25%. Pre-teens typically
sleep very well,wake feeling full of energy and fully rested.
Adolescents; puberty marks changes in sleep that see the release of
many hormones that change the way we sleep. Males may experience
wet dreams and both genders may experience erotic dreams.
Sleep less than adolescents and do not experience the deep sleep
associated with pre-teens and adolescents. 53% suffer with daytime
drowsiness, although this may be caused by babies disturbing their sleep.
Middle age; shallowing and
shortening of sleep may occur
and fatigue becomes more
common. Amount of deep sleep
decreases resulting in less
growth hormone released. This
change may be linked to lifestyle
changes. More alcohol is likely to
be consumed which reduces the
quality of sleep. weight problems
can lead to sleep apnoea
Old age; there is a lack of deep sleep and very little growth
hormone is released. Many suufer from disrupted sleep for reasons
like needing the toliet. There are more likely to rise earlier and nap
throughout the day. REM decreases to abut 20%
Floyd et al. (2001) reveiwed 400 sleep studies and found that
the amount of REM sleep decreases throughtout life
There has been
little research into
the slleping
patterns of middle
aged. Dement
believes that it is
due to being busy
with family, and
career.
Dement (1999) reported that males aged 65-88 were likely
to suffer from sleep apnoea, they woke for small 3 second
intervals due to it. The number of times the males woke was
between 200 to 1000 times a night. this supports the idea
that the quality of sleep is reduced with age
Baird et al. found that women who had suffered from
depression before getting pregnant were more likely to
give birth to children who would suffer from sleep
disturbances. The early sleep disturbances were
associated with later behavioural problems and learning
difficulties at age 3. suggesting that sleep problems could
be impacted by the mothers state of mind prior to
conception indicating that much more research needs to
be conducted in this area.