DEVELOPMENT OF SLEEP BEHAVIOR IN THE 1ST 5 YEARS OF LIFE

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (3) , 211-223
Abstract
Sleep behavior between 1/2-5 yr in320 Swiss children of the 1st Zurich longitudinal study is reported. The average length of night sleep between 1/2-5 yr was 11-12 h. Day sleep was noted in 96% of the children between 6-24 mo., and in 20% at age 5. The total length of sleep between 6-18 mo. was 15 h per 24 h. It diminished to 12 h at age 5. There was a large individual variability of day sleep and of night sleep at all ages. Positive correlations were found between the lengths of day sleep at different ages and between the lengths of night sleep at different ages. The length of day sleep and that of night sleep were negatively correlated between 2-5 yr. Evening wakefulness was observed in 16% and night waking in 40-50% of all children. Of the children, 18% woke up at least once each night. Night wakening between 2-5 years was positively correlated. In about half of the children with evening wakefulness and/or night wakening these sleep behaviors were considered as abnormal by the mothers.

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