Final answer:
Newborns require about 17 hours of sleep, transitioning through REM and NREM stages which include sleep spindles crucial for learning. Sleep needs decrease with age and are influenced by circadian rhythms controlled by the SCN. Appropriate sleep is vital for health and cognitive function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sleep Stages and Newborn Sleep Patterns
Sleep can be divided into two general phases: REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM (NREM) sleep. NREM sleep is further subdivided into stages, characterized by distinct patterns of brain wave activity which are crucial for learning and memory. Newborn infants sleep for about 17 hours a day, experiencing both REM and NREM sleep, but as they approach the end of their first year, this amount decreases, signifying an important developmental milestone.
In terms of sleep architecture, stage 2 sleep in particular features sleep spindles, which are rapid bursts of high-frequency brain waves that play a pivotal role in memory consolidation. By the time we reach adulthood, the amount of sleep we need reduces. Sleep needs continue to decrease with age, as evidenced by a meta-analysis indicating that individuals over 65 tend to sleep less than 7 hours per night.
Factors such as circadian rhythms regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) influence sleep patterns throughout our lives. Disruptions in these rhythms can lead to sleep problems such as insomnia and reduced alertness. Adequate sleep is essential for health, cognitive function, and development, particularly in the formative years of life.