Sleep Calculator by Age

Why does sleep time vary with age?

Sleep needs are different for different age groups. The following factors play a major role.

1. Biological factors: Infants and young children have rapidly developing brains, requiring more sleep to support growth, learning, and memory consolidation. As we age, we undergo hormonal changes, such as a decrease in growth hormone production, which can affect sleep patterns.
2. Developmental factors: Newborns have immature circadian rhythms, resulting in irregular sleep patterns. As children grow, they consolidate their sleep into more predictable sleep cycles. Adolescents often experience a shift in their internal body clock, leading to later bedtimes and a delayed sleep onset.
3. Lifestyle factors: School schedules, work demands, and social activities also impact sleep duration and quality. For example, teenagers may stay up later due to academic pressure or social engagement, while adults may face stressors like work deadlines or family responsibilities that affect their sleep patterns.
4. Health conditions: Certain medical conditions and medications can also affect sleep. For instance, sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome are more prevalent in older adults and can disrupt sleep architecture.

Why does the sleep cycle change with age?

The sleep cycle consists of four stages: NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. NREM sleep is further divided into three stages, with Stage 3 being the deepest and most restorative.

Infants spend most of the amount on REM sleep as it is crucial for brain development. As children grow, they transition to a more adult-like sleep pattern, with longer periods of deep sleep.

Adolescents may experience shifts in sleep architecture, including a delay in REM sleep onset.

In adulthood, sleep tends to become lighter and more fragmented, while older adults may experience changes in sleep duration and quality, including less deep sleep and more awakenings during the night.

Age vs Sleep Time

Age Group	Total Sleep Time (Hours)	REM Sleep (%)	Deep Sleep (%)	Light Sleep (%)
Infants	14-17	50	20	30
Toddlers	11-14	25-30	20-25	50-55
Children	9-11	20-25	20-25	50-60
Adolescents	8-10	20-25	20-25	50-60
Adults	7-9	20-25	15-20	55-60
Elderly	7-8	15-20	10-15	65-75

Age vs Sleep Cycle Duration

Age Group	Average Sleep Cycle Duration (Minutes)
0-3 months	50-60
4-11 months	50-60
1-2 years	60-70
3-5 years	60-80
6-12 years	70-90
13-18 years	80-100
18-64 years	90-110
65+ years	90-110