Herbie Murray
Sleep needs change significantly as we age. Newborns sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day, but this gradually decreases as the brain and body develop. Adolescents need about nine hours of sleep to function at their best, while adults through middle age need at least eight hours. Older adults may still require up to eight hours of sleep, but they may struggle to obtain those hours in one block. Sleep patterns also change as we age, with a shift from deep sleep in infancy to more light sleep in older adulthood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep stages | Shift from a higher level of deep sleep as a baby to more light sleep as an older adult |
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep about 16-18 hours per 24 hours, adolescents need about nine hours, adults through middle age need at least eight hours, and the elderly may require up to eight hours but may struggle to obtain those hours in one block |
| Sleep patterns | Change as we age, with newborns sleeping sporadically throughout the day and night, and adolescents experiencing a delay in their preferred sleep and wake times due to changes in their circadian alerting system |
| Sleep issues | Become more common as we age, often beginning in adolescence |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep patterns change as we age
Upon reaching adulthood, the average recommended sleep duration shifts to about seven to nine hours per night, which is connected to less rapid growth and development rather than a sharp decline in sleep need. As we age through adulthood into older adulthood, slow wave and REM sleep decrease, and we experience more light stages of NREM sleep. Although the elderly may still require up to eight hours, they may struggle to obtain those hours in one block.
At any age, you can sleep better with healthy sleep habits like consistent bedtimes, calming nighttime routines, and keeping your sleeping space a comfy screen-free zone.
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Sleep duration changes as we age
As we age, the quality, structure, and quantity of sleep we need all undergo significant changes. When we are young, we need much more sleep because our brains and bodies are developing quickly. This need for sleep gradually slows from birth to adolescence, and our sleep needs trend downward. Upon reaching adulthood, the average recommended sleep duration shifts to about seven to nine hours per night, which is connected to less rapid growth and development rather than a sharp decline in sleep need.
Sleep patterns also change as we age. Newborns sleep sporadically, with the need to sleep and eat cycling across the day and night. As children pass into adolescence, the stages of sleep and the sleep cycle remain largely unchanged, but the timing of their sleep does change. Due to changes in the circadian alerting system related to development, the preferred times for falling asleep and waking are typically delayed in adolescents.
As we age through adulthood into older adulthood, slow wave and REM sleep decrease, and we experience more light stages of NREM sleep. While adults through middle age need at least eight hours of sleep, the elderly may struggle to obtain those hours in one block, even though they may still require up to eight hours.
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Sleep stages shift from deep sleep to light sleep
As we age, our sleep stages shift from deep sleep to light sleep. When we are babies, we spend more time in deep sleep, but as we get older, we experience more light sleep. This is because, when we are young, our brains and bodies are developing quickly, so we need more sleep to support this. As we get older, our bodies are no longer developing at such a rapid pace, so we need less deep sleep.
The amount of sleep we need also changes as we age. Newborns sleep about 16 to 18 hours per 24 hours, but this gradually decreases as we get older. By adolescence, we need about nine hours of sleep to function at our best. Adults through middle age need at least eight hours of sleep, and although older adults may still require up to eight hours, they may struggle to obtain those hours in one block.
In addition to changes in sleep duration, sleep patterns also change as we age. Newborns have sporadic sleep patterns, with their need to sleep and eat cycling across the day and night. As children pass into adolescence, their sleep stages and sleep cycles remain largely unchanged, but the timing of their sleep shifts. Due to changes in the circadian alerting system, adolescents tend to prefer falling asleep and waking up later.
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Sleep issues become more common as we age
Sleep supports every aspect of the body's functions and is crucial for growth and development through childhood and for health in adulthood. Newborns sleep about 16 to 18 hours per 24 hours, but this gradually declines through childhood, such that an adolescent will need about nine hours of sleep to function at their best.
Upon reaching adulthood, the average recommended sleep duration shifts to about seven to nine hours per night. Although the elderly may still require up to eight hours, they may struggle to obtain those hours in one block.
In addition to changes in sleep duration, sleep patterns also change as we age. Humans possess an internal 24-hour clock, also called the circadian pacemaker, that partly determines the time when people fall asleep and when they wake, as well as their alertness level while they are awake. Due to changes in the circadian alerting system related to development, the preferred times for falling asleep and waking are typically delayed in adolescents.
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Sleep is crucial for growth and development
Babies sleep about 16 to 18 hours per 24 hours, but after the first few months, this changes. Adolescents need about nine hours of sleep to function at their best. As we age through adulthood into older adulthood, slow wave and REM sleep decrease, and we experience more light stages of NREM sleep. Adults through middle age need at least eight hours of sleep, and while the elderly may still require up to eight hours, they may struggle to obtain those hours in one block.
Sleep supports every aspect of the body's functions and is crucial for growth and development through childhood and health in adulthood.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep about 16 to 18 hours per 24 hours, but their sleep needs can vary enormously.
Toddlers' sleep needs can vary, just like adults'.
Adolescents need about nine hours of sleep to function at their best. However, they may struggle to get this amount due to changes in their circadian alerting system, which delays their preferred sleep and wake times.
Adults through middle age need at least eight hours of sleep. Older adults may still require up to eight hours, but they may find it challenging to obtain those hours in one block.
