In short
The sleepevolves throughout life: Babies sleep a lot and in various stretches, adolescents tend to go to bed late, adults consolidate a pattern and older people sleep lighter and earlier. Knowing what is normal for each stage avoids unnecessary worries and helps detect when a change does warrant a consultation.
A different sleep at every moment of life
TheSleep needs and structure change with age. Not only how many hours we sleep, but how deep sleep and REM sleep are distributed, what time we sleep and how many times we wake up. All of this follows a predictable evolution from childhood to old age.
Understanding this evolution has practical value: it allows us to distinguish what isage-appropriate-and therefore should not worry- about what is a real problem. For a baby to wake up at night or for an elderly person to wake up very early is usually normal; That an adult cannot sleep or that a teenager does not make it to class due to sleep, no.
Below we review the keys to sleep in each stage.
Sleep stage by stage
Tap each age to see what's normal:
Babies and early childhood
Newborns sleep many hours day and night, with frequent awakenings that are to be expected. Little by little, sleep concentrates at night. Routine and good sleeping habits are key.
School age
They need a lot of sleep to grow and learn. Challenges appear such as resistance to going to bed, terrors or nightmares, almost always benign. Insufficient sleep is reflected in behavior and performance.
Adolescence
The biological clock is delayed naturally: they tend to fall asleep late and have a hard time getting up early. Added to screens and schedules, it causes chronic lack of sleep. Regulating the light and schedules helps.
Adulthood
The pattern stabilizes. It is the stage in which stress, habits and work have the most influence, and where insomnia and apnoea become frequent. Taking care of sleep hygiene is essential.
Seniors
Sleep becomes lighter, with more awakenings and a tendency to come earlier. It is normal, but sleeping really badly is not: there is usually a treatable cause that should be looked for.
What influences each stage
In addition to age, there are factors that affect the quality of sleep throughout life.
It changes with age and marks what time we sleep.
The main signal that adjusts sleep at any age.
Routines and stimuli before sleeping.
Diseases and drugs that appear over the years.
They make differences, especially in women.
Especially in adulthood.
How we help you in your stage
Whatever your age, we value your sleep and help you improve it.
First consultation
History of sleep adapted to your stage
Rating
What is normal for your age and what is not
Study if applicable
Test of sleep when it provides information
Custom plan
Guidelines and treatment according to your vital moment
We were worried about our teenager sleeping during the day. They explained to us that his clock slows down at that age and how to help him. Understanding it changed everything at home.
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We solve your doubts
How many hours should you sleep according to age?
Is it true that older people need less sleep?
My teenager sleeps during the day and not at night, why?
When should I consult about my or my child's sleep?
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Content reviewed by the medical team of the Sleep Research Institute.