Sleep Pattern

Sleep pattern develops over time during childhood. Development of sleep patterns is a complex process; it depends on maturity of the Central Nervous System (CNS), and is influenced by environmental factors. One of the characteristics of sleep during early infancy is sleep fragmentation. After the sleep-wake cycle is established by the age of four months, the length of nocturnal sleep duration expands. It is reported that the longest sleep duration is 6 hours on average at the age of 6-month, and 8-9 hours on average at the age of 12-month. However, sleep problems, such as night crying and restlessness, are likely to occur after establishment of sleep-wake cycle. It was reported that 10-30 percent of children were assessed to have behaviorally induced insufficient sleep. They have difficulty falling asleep, and wake up frequently at night. Recently, it was reported that sleep problems of infants and preschoolers are related to a lack of selfsoothing (falling asleep independently). Also, parental involvement and lack of self -soothing are highly associated with sleep problems. Sleep practices are important environmental factors for sleep development and are strongly influenced by cultures. Bed-share or cosleeping is one of the sleep practices and it is defined as infants and mothers/parents sleeping together in the adult’s bed. This sleep practice is widely accepted in Asian countries including Japan. It is reported that Japanese culture valued interdependence more than independence. However, it has been pointed out that children who sleep with parents have more sleep problems than those who sleep separately. (Asaka Y (2013) Sleep Pattern of Japanese Infants and Their Mother’s Parenting Stress)

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Last date updated on April, 2024