Average Sleep Duration: Infants sleep an average of 12.8 hours/day; this changes as they grow.
Newborns (0-3 months): Sleep 14-17 hours/day.
Sleep Cycle: Infants often start with REM sleep and move through cycles more quickly than adults.
Sleep Studies Findings:
At 6 months, 62% of infants slept at least 6 hours at night, 43% at least 8 hours, 38% under 6 hours.
By 12 months, 28% still did not sleep at least 6 uninterrupted hours.
Nighttime Waking: The most common reported issue by parents. Mothers lose about an hour of sleep nightly; fathers lose about 13 minutes.
Evolution of Sleep Patterns:
By around 6 months, infants typically sleep 14-15 hours/day, with 3-4 hours of daytime napping.
Naps decrease to usually two per day between 9-18 months, and then often to one longer nap by 18 months.
Rapid weight gain and developmental milestones can alter sleep habits.
Statistics: About 3,500 SUID cases occur in infants under one year annually in the U.S.
Types of SUID:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):
Unexplained death of a previously healthy infant.
Leading cause of death in infants under 12 months; about 1,500 deaths in 2013.
Risk factors include low birth weight, siblings with SIDS, sleep apnea, ethnicity, low SES, and exposure to smoke.
Unexplained Cause: Death without a thorough investigation.
Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation: Risks include soft bedding and entrapment.
Prevention Efforts:
Campaigns promoting "back to sleep" greatly reduced SIDS rates.
Remaining statistics on accidental suffocation have not declined significantly.
Cultural Variation: Where the infant sleeps varies by age and culture.
Studies show that bed-sharing increases SIDS risks, particularly for infants under 3 months.
Co-sleeping is part of attachment parenting practices; ongoing debates about safety exist.
Risk factors intensify with parental smoking or substance use.
Place infants on their backs on a firm sleep surface (crib/bassinet).
Avoid soft bedding: keep the crib bare—no bumpers, blankets, or pillows.
Encourage breastfeeding as it offers protection against SIDS.
Room-sharing is preferred, but do not share a bed; begin transitioning infant to separate sleep surfaces by 6 months.
Avoid exposure to smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
Importance: Crucial for preventing communicable diseases from infancy.
Infants often mouth objects, increasing exposure to germs; sanitization is key.
Vaccination Trends:
A significant number of children remain unvaccinated either for valid medical reasons or parental beliefs.
Herd immunity occurs when a high percentage (90%) are immunized, preventing disease spread.
California's stricter regulations on vaccination for children were implemented in 2017 to ensure community health.