Baby’s sleep is very important and is the concern of many young parents.

The sleep cycle of babies is complex. It varies according to age and it is important to respect your baby’s sleeping time so that he or she is in good shape and all his or her abilities develop properly.

To help you better understand your baby’s sleep cycle according to his age, Kadolis explains everything you need to know.

What is the sleep cycle? 

During the night, the human body goes through different phases. Namely, a sleep cycle lasts 90 minutes and has three phases. Light slow wave sleep, deep slow wave sleep and REM sleep. It is during the latter that we dream. Deep slow wave sleep is when our body really rests.

Each night, several sleep cycles take place, with each of these phases.

In babies, the sleep cycle is more complex. Their sleep is restless. They do not yet have a well regulated and stable biological clock. As a result, researchers estimate that their sleep cycle lasts between 50 and 70 minutes. Depending on their age, the length of their sleep varies and as a young parent, it is important to take this into account.

Baby’s sleep cycle by age 

Firstly, it is worth knowing that a baby’s sleep cycle changes with age. Indeed, the older baby gets, the more his sleep needs tend to decrease, and the more his sleep rhythm will be different, between night time and baby naps.

So here’s what baby’s sleep cycle is according to his age.

The sleep cycle of an infant 

An infant under one month old sleeps for about 20 hours a day. The remaining 4 hours are usually devoted to eating. 

Since the infant sleeps most of the day, we cannot really talk about a sleep cycle for a 1-month-old baby. He may wake up at night or even during the day.

The sleep cycle of a 3-month-old baby 

At the age of 3 months, the baby still sleeps a lot. He or she sleeps for about 15 hours a day. The sleep cycle of a 3-month-old baby usually consists of nights of 10 to 12 hours. The remaining hours are spent in the form of naps, twice a day.

For naps, the sleep cycle of a 3-month-old baby is divided into two naps of an average of two hours each. As a rule, this is one nap in the morning and another in the afternoon.

The sleep cycle of a 6-month-old baby 

From the age of 6 months, the baby gradually starts to sleep through the night. His sleep cycle starts to become more stable and regular. Some people agree that it is from this age onwards that the sleep cycle really breaks down into the 3 phases that we know.

Two naps a day are still recommended and his daily sleep duration is the same as for a 3 month old baby.

A baby’s sleep cycle after 12 months 

After 1 year, baby’s sleep is increasingly stable. Above all, this tends to become shorter and lower. 

This is because your baby is now more active during the day. This results in longer nights. However, the two naps are no longer necessarily necessary. An afternoon nap may now be enough to rest your baby.

As your baby grows, his need for sleep gradually decreases. From the age of 4 onwards, you should monitor your child’s fatigue and only take naps when necessary. The sleep cycle of a 12-month-old baby gradually approaches that of an adult.

How important is baby’s sleep?

Baby’s sleep is very important. This is because it is during the night that the brain synthesises and develops your baby’s cognitive abilities. A good night’s sleep is also necessary for the body’s development and immune system. 

We don’t need to remind you how essential good sleep is for a good life expectancy.

Finally, for you as young parents, a good night’s sleep for your baby will help to avoid the restlessness and tiredness caused by bad nights. Good sleep for your baby is just as beneficial for you!

How can you improve your baby’s sleep?

To improve your baby’s sleep, there are no miracle methods. The most important thing is to respect your baby’s sleep cycle and offer him enough sleep. To do this, setting up routines for naps and bedtimes is essential. Putting your baby to bed at regular times is a good way to get him/her into a good routine.

Finally, the choice of your baby’s mattress, as well as the choice of baby’s bed linen, is very important. The importance of a good mattress on sleep and sleep quality is great. Making the investment in a good mattress is therefore not optional and contributes greatly to your baby’s sleep.

Give your baby the best sleep by choosing Kadolis

To respect your baby’s sleep cycle and allow him to spend sweet nights, good habits are essential. Also, giving him a good mattress is an excellent way to improve his sleep. 

The Kadolis Cocolatex baby mattress is soft and ultra-breathable. Made from 100% organic materials, it provides your baby with comfort and hygiene for a better night’s sleep. Certified OEKO-TEX®, it respects the fragile health of babies.

Adding an organic fitted sheet and a baby mattress protector to this mattress also allows you to protect your baby’s mattress and offer him or her incomparable comfort. Take advantage of this, you have 30 days to change your mind! Returns are free!