We all need sleep
Sleep is how our body recharges and allows us to learn. Our brain needs time to bring together the information we have taken in, in order to digest the details of he day. Perhaps that is why infants sleep so much. Research has proven that our brain is making the most connections and strongest pathways during the first five years of our lives than at any other time. By age five, the brain is 90% of it's adult size indicating lots of growth and activity and a greater need for SLEEP.
(Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, 2013)
Watch this short video of Dr. Stickgold, Harvard Medical School, speaking to the importance of sleep and brain development.
What the research says about our Circadian Rhythms.
The National Institute of General Medical Science describe the sleep cycle. We have a "master clock" that controls the release of hormones in our bodies which is located in our brain just above the eyes. The hormone that makes you sleepy, melatonin, is released when the circadian rhythm indicates the need. Melatonin is influenced by the eye viewing light and dark. Light is the main cue to the eye that influences our sleep patterns. When there is less light the brain sends the signal to make more melatonin which creates drowsiness.
Infants sleep patterns are different. Their internal clocks are not in a rhythm when they are born. They will have waking hours during the day and night. It typically takes about 3 months before they will fall into a pattern or once an infant reaches about 13 pounds then they may start to sleep about 6 hours through the night. Infants sleep patterns are much shorter because they go in and out of sleep cycles more quickly. It is this reason they may need more support in going to sleep. Many times when you lay a drowsy infant down they are in light sleep from which they will easily wake. It may take about 30 minutes for an infant to really be asleep, limp and heavy, to know that you can put them down without waking them from sleep.
(Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, 2013)
Watch this short video of Dr. Stickgold, Harvard Medical School, speaking to the importance of sleep and brain development.
What the research says about our Circadian Rhythms.
The National Institute of General Medical Science describe the sleep cycle. We have a "master clock" that controls the release of hormones in our bodies which is located in our brain just above the eyes. The hormone that makes you sleepy, melatonin, is released when the circadian rhythm indicates the need. Melatonin is influenced by the eye viewing light and dark. Light is the main cue to the eye that influences our sleep patterns. When there is less light the brain sends the signal to make more melatonin which creates drowsiness.
Infants sleep patterns are different. Their internal clocks are not in a rhythm when they are born. They will have waking hours during the day and night. It typically takes about 3 months before they will fall into a pattern or once an infant reaches about 13 pounds then they may start to sleep about 6 hours through the night. Infants sleep patterns are much shorter because they go in and out of sleep cycles more quickly. It is this reason they may need more support in going to sleep. Many times when you lay a drowsy infant down they are in light sleep from which they will easily wake. It may take about 30 minutes for an infant to really be asleep, limp and heavy, to know that you can put them down without waking them from sleep.
What Dr. Sear's says about sleep cycles for babies
" Babies have shorter sleep cycles than you do. Stand adoringly next to your sleeping baby and watch him sleep. About an hour after he goes to sleep, he begins to squirm, he tosses a bit, his eyelids flutter, his face muscles grimace, he breathes irregularly, and his muscles tighten. He is reentering the phase of light sleep. The time of moving from deep to light sleep is a vulnerable period during which many babies will awaken if any upsetting or uncomfortable stimulus, such as hunger, occurs. If the baby does not awaken, he will drift through this light sleep period over the next ten minutes, and descend back into deep sleep. Adult sleep cycles (going from light to deep sleep, and then back to light sleep) lasts an average of 90 minutes. Infants' sleep cycles are shorter, lasting 50 to 60 minutes, so they experience a vulnerable period for night waking around every hour or even less. As your baby enters this light sleep, if you lay a comforting hand on your baby's back, sing a soothing lullaby, or just be there next to baby if he is in your bed; you can help him get through this light sleep period without waking."
(http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/8-infant-sleep-facts-every-parent-should-know) |