How does a child's sleep change with age?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Bui Thi Ha - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Newborns sleeping too little or sleeping too much are both worrying for parents. Because too little or too much sleep affects the development of children. So will infant sleep change from year to year?

Infant sleep is different from adult sleep and has the following characteristics:
During the first 6 months of life, each sleep cycle in infant sleep is very short, only 20 - 50 minutes. In each of those sleep cycles, babies are mostly active sleep (REM), up to 50% of active sleep. Because of the short cycle, it is easy for babies to be awakened and fully awakened by small noises, especially when noises fall into the active sleep phase. When an infant sleeps, the organs in the body are more active than when the baby is awake, such as breathing faster, the heart beating faster and the brain increasing metabolism... Newborn sleep plays an important role. for the development of children both physically and mentally:
For young children, sleep is an activity that helps brain cells develop. Specifically, studies have shown that, in just the first month of life, the number of brain cells of a baby has grown up to 80% compared to when a baby is 3 months old. This rate is similar when children are 3 years old, but the number of brain cells has grown to 80% compared to adults.

Physically, sleep is the time when the child's body produces growth hormones that are beneficial for bone and muscle development. If the infant is sleep deprived, not getting enough and deep enough sleep will cause the following effects:
Fatigue, irritability, irritability, or fussiness. Loss of concentration, memory impairment, if left for a long time, can affect children's learning when they grow up. Affects children's behavior and emotions as adults.

Through each stage, infant sleep changes as follows:
1 week old - 2 month old: In the first week after birth, babies can sleep up to 18 - 20 hours/day at most and sleep At any time of the day, a child's sleep can last for about 30 minutes - 3, 4 hours. On average, babies under 2 months of age can sleep 16-18 hours a day. Children 3 - 6 months old: From 3 months old, children's sleep changes, babies can sleep longer and sleep on demand. On average, children can sleep from 14 to 16 hours a day, in which, daytime sleep can be from 3.5 to 5.5 hours and night sleep lasts from 9.5 to 11.5 hours. Babies 6 - 12 months old: Baby sleep in this period has changed a lot, babies can sleep according to their needs, bedtime and circadian rhythms of children may have been formed and like adults. On average, children can sleep 14 hours a day, of which, the day's sleep is reduced to 1-2 sleeps. Children from 1 to 5 years old: After 1.5 years of age, children's sleep has changed a lot and is almost completely similar to adults. On average, children aged 1 - 5 years can sleep 10 - 12 hours a day.

In order for sleep activities to bring maximum benefits for both intellectual and physical development for children, parents and caregivers need to ensure right from the newborn baby's sleep.

Ensure the child's sleeping space must be safe, limit objects that may affect the child's respiratory activity and cause suffocation such as stuffed animals, blankets, blankets, pillows, etc. Beds, cribs and cribs should be placed close to parents for easy monitoring and care of children. Newborns sleeping less can be due to the cramped, noisy, stuffy, hot sleeping environment. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the space, the child's bedroom is cool, quiet, and the light is moderate. To help children sleep more deeply, sleep better, you can let them listen to soft, soothing music or sing lullabies to them.

Avoid wearing too many clothes or wrapping many warm towels for children, because children with a higher body temperature than adults will increase body temperature, make children sweat and lead to colds. Avoid rocking in a hammock or rocking your baby to sleep, especially in the first months of life because it can affect the brain. Infant sleep can be affected if breastfeeding at bedtime, then the baby is more likely to choke on milk and the baby's digestive system will also be affected. Children should be trained to distinguish between day and night by keeping their room bright during the day and dark at night so that they can sleep according to their circadian rhythms.

For older children, help them feel safe when sleeping, especially when they're sleeping alone, by having them bring stuffed animals, pillows, and other favorite objects.... Right from the start. Infant sleep, parents should also help children build and form habits by performing repetitively a number of activities such as bathing, changing clothes, massage, reading, ... before Sleep to inform your baby about bedtime and help them sleep better. For children under 6 years old, it is advisable to establish and maintain a schedule of activities and sleep for children, including weekends. Children should be put to bed before 9 pm to avoid affecting the development of children. Before going to bed, children should avoid playing and exercising too much. Sleep plays a very important role in the physical and intellectual development of children. In particular, understanding the characteristics of infant sleep that change over time will help parents take better care of their children, ensuring their children have quality sleep.

In addition to the nutritional diet, parents should supplement their children with supportive products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their nutritional needs. in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, help children eat well, and develop comprehensively.
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