sleep across the lifespan

Question 1

newborns and infants

Answer 1

16 hours
in the first two weeks of life, 50% of the infant’s sleep is REM sleep.

Question 2

children

Answer 2

12-13 hours
The proportion of REM sleep continues to decrease
The amount of NREM sleep increases - more time in stage 3

Question 3

adolescents

Answer 3

9-10 hours
The total time spent sleeping decreases, as does the amount of REM sleep.

Question 4

adults

Answer 4

8 hours - decreasing as we age
progressive decline in the duration of a typical sleep episode and in the proportions of time spent in REM and NREM sleep.

Question 5

elderly

Answer 5

6 hours
Older people also tend to become sleepier in the early evening and wake earlier in the morning compared to younger adults.