Sleep patterns and needs change significantly from infancy to old age. Here is a breakdown of how sleep changes throughout the different stages of life: Infancy (0-2 years): - Infants sleep for longer durations, around 14-16 hours per day. - Sleep is scattered and divided into multiple naps throughout the day and night. - There is no distinct day-night sleep cycle, and infants may wake up frequently during the night. Early Childhood (2-5 years): - Total sleep time decreases slightly to about 11-13 hours per day. - Most children transition to one daytime nap. - Sleep becomes more consolidated during the night, with fewer nighttime awakenings. Middle Childhood (6-12 years): - Sleep needs to reduce to around 9-12 hours per day. - Nighttime sleep becomes longer and more consistent. - Daytime napping becomes less common. Adolescence (13-18 years): - Sleep needs to stabilize at around 8-10 hours per night. - Circadian rhythm shifts, causing teenagers to have a delayed sleep phase preference, making it difficult to fall asleep early. - Social pressures and increased academic demands often result in insufficient sleep. Adulthood (18-65 years): - Sleep needs remain around 7-9 hours per night for most adults. - Sleep patterns become more stable and regular. - Sleep quality can be affected by lifestyle factors such as work schedules, stress, and health conditions. Older Adults (65+ years): - Total sleep time decreases to around 7-8 hours per night. - Sleep becomes more fragmented, with more frequent nighttime awakenings. - Older adults may experience difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restorative sleep. It’s important to note that these are general trends and individual variations in sleep patterns can occur at any age. Additionally, sleep disorders and health conditions can further impact sleep at any stage of life.